At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Strategic Partnerships Merchandiser in delivering innovative partner strategies.
- Company: Join River Island, a beloved brand with a bright future and diverse team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 50% staff discount, flexible working, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and a culture of wellbeing and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make an impact in merchandising while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 18 months of merchandising experience and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
- Department
- Merchandising
- Location
- Head Office, Chelsea House
- Job Purpose
The Assistant Merchandiser is responsible for supporting the Strategic Partnerships Merchandiser and Merch Lead, assisting with forming and delivering the partner strategy in line with the Wholesale Strategy and River Island Brand.
They are a key support function for the Wholesale Merchandiser and Account Lead managing, but not exclusive to, planning and trading, order management, key messages for risk and opportunity.
They will work with the partner and wholesale counterparts to shape the buying and merchandising plan and are accountable for guiding the merchandising teams in delivering.
They will build strong cross‑functional working relationships and undertake company projects to support new initiatives.
A River Island Assistant Merchandiser must lead by example, whilst supporting the training and developing Merchandising Admin Assistants.
- Key Accountabilities
- Responsible for assisting with the planning and delivery of the trading strategy for the account with agreed KPIs
- Helps to form the wholesale strategy, aligning and collaborating with key counterparts against the River Island brand strategy
- Key point of contact for Partner Account team with day to day queries, including but not exclusive to cancellations
- Works closely with the Wholesale product teams to direct and sign off on range plans considering Option width, ALB, pre‑season buys, OTB and in season trading budgets
- Assists the Wholesale Merchandising team with providing accurate, relevant analysis to maximise sales and trading opportunities, proposing adjustments to immediate and longer‑term financial plans
- Demonstrates commercial awareness through delivering relevant and concise department and category performance, suggesting action or amendments to drive additional sales and trade
- Responsible for the Wholesale sales report and data for the business’s internal sales reporting system/s
- Seeks additional reporting information in collaboration with the Merch and Account Leads, to support the business’s understanding of International performance and each Partner’s KPIs
- Responsible for the projected intake of flow products, ensuring appropriate levels of stock to sales, in line with cut offs
- Accurate management of Partner’s future commitment, identifying and highlighting opportunities and potential risk for Wholesale Partner/s
- Accurately maintains Weekly Intake forecasts
- Responsible for Wholesale stock management, reviewing and maintain stocks inline with the business’s seasonal strategy and markdown periods
- Accountable for maintaining accurate information and attribution within Wholesale’s order database
- Aware of the department’s critical path for timely delivery of planning documents
- Manages the workload of the MAA with a thorough understanding of the performance, escalating to the Merchandiser when needed
- Sets the direction and objectives for the MAA, providing timely feedback and support to enable them to work to the best of their abilities
- Challenges all company working practices where appropriate to improve ways of working
- Foster and enable a culture of wellbeing and inclusion through openness, two‑way listening and owning actions needed to create a great workplace for our Islanders
- Key Experience Required
- At least 18 months’ experience within merchandising, including previous experience at Assistant Merchandiser or as an established Senior Merchandising Admin/Senior Allocator
- Experience in an omni‑channel business is highly desirable
- Track record of mentoring and developing other team members
- Proven results in assisting with and delivering a strategic plan
- Track record of delivering and exceeding KPIs
- Track record of driving strong team and individual performance and engagement
- Advanced Excel skills
- Job Role Competencies
- Passion for the RI brand and customer
- Excellent verbal and numerical reasoning skills
- Excellent commercial awareness skills
- Advanced analytical skills
- Strong influencing skills
- Manages complexity and able to make sense of complex, high quantity and sometimes contradictory information, to effectively solve problems
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, emotional intelligence and self‑management
- Skilled at presenting new ideas, flexing style and approach to gain buy‑in
- Excellent people management and coaching, mentoring and development skills
- Highly organised, good prioritisation skills
- Ability to communicate and align teams to strategy and vision
- Disciplined and conscientious, results oriented
- Tenacious, resilient and adaptable to change
- Change advocate with a curious, continuous learning mindset
- Forward‑thinking, innovative
Benefits
- Generous 50% staff discount
- Reduces everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust
- Free onsite gym and subsidised restaurant & café
- Social events throughout the year
- Support for various family setups including enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fertility treatment, plus support from the Retail Trust
- Flexible working, including payday and summer early finish Fridays
- Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year with matched funding
- Support with upskilling through on‑the‑job training and qualifications; a succession plan if you want to progress
- Generous bonus scheme and private pension plan
- 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase additional holiday twice a year
- Company Overview
We’re a much‑loved brand with an exciting future.
Our Islanders are a diverse bunch of bright, talented people who love working together – and are proud of the work they do.
Progression here can take you in all kinds of directions.
EEO Statement
Our Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger.
We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief.
We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.
Safety and Diversity
At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role.
We will fulfil our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business.
We promote and encourage the belief in British Values‑including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
We consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.
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Strategic Partnerships Assistant Merchandiser, 12 Month FTC in London employer: River Island
RIVER ISLAND is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises inclusivity and teamwork in the heart of Belfast. With opportunities for personal growth and a generous 50% staff discount, employees are encouraged to thrive in a dynamic retail environment while making a meaningful impact on customer service and store operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Partnerships Assistant Merchandiser, 12 Month FTC in London
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like River Island, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like River Island!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Partnerships Assistant Merchandiser, 12 Month FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at River Island, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at River Island and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show River Island that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at River Island
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
