Merchandiser

The Merchandising team at River Island plays a key role in realising the commercial opportunities created by our unique product across all our channels. This is achieved by developing and implementing the multichannel planning and trading strategy for a multiproduct department. The Merchandiser has a direct impact on the product offer by channel to fulfil all customer requirements and deliver their department strategy, sales and profit plans. Working closely with their buying counterparts, the Merchandiser ensures that department margin targets are achieved and grows market share whilst maintaining our sustainability commitments.

Key Accountabilities:

• Develops the department and category strategy for a multiproduct area.
• Grows sales and profit through successful planning and trading across all channels.
• Through analysis of current and past performance alongside market data, formulates all opportunities to drive the business across all channels.
• Creates a forward strategy with the Buyer to deliver company brand briefs and operating plans.
• Proposes adjustments to immediate and longer-term financial plans, OTB and on order to optimise margin and sales, driving the trading performance of the department by channel.
• Delivers an option framework to ensure a balanced range by channel.
• Controls stocks within planned levels and works within agreed markdown targets.
• Accountable for commitment review by size, maximising sales through availability.
• Plans sourcing strategies that reduce costs and grow margin with consideration of all external factors, incorporating an understanding of sustainable practices in sourcing and production.
• Strong management of the department critical path with the buyer to ensure timely delivery of product.
• Plans and delivers the distribution strategy of stock to all channels.
• Identifies all wholesale opportunities and looks for all opportunities to drive performance.
• Using all available sources including regular store visits, industry news, sales and margin history, comp shops, identifies risks and opportunities, proposing actions to positively impact performance.
• Builds cross divisional working relationships and external networks to develop broad perspective and identify future opportunities.
• Challenges all company working practices where appropriate to improve ways of working.
• Alongside the Buyer, proposes initiatives and acts on opportunities to drive sales and margin, including new product trial strategies.
• Grows talent within the merchandising team and identifies readiness for next role, providing learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring in a timely way.
• Manages a team effectively, setting the direction and objectives to be achieved for your department, ensuring the team is aligned and working towards those objectives.

Key experience required:

• Previous experience as a Merchandiser, or established Junior Merchandiser.
• Experience in an omni-channel business is highly desirable.
• Track record of delivering and exceeding sales and margin targets is essential.
• Track record of identifying and delivering on new product opportunities.
• Track record of driving strong team and individual performance and engagement.

Job role competencies:

• Very strong verbal and numerical reasoning skills.
• Very strong communication skills.
• Very strong analytical skills.
• Very strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Skilled at presenting new ideas, flexing style and approach to gain buy-in.
• Very strong people management, coaching, mentoring and development skills.
• Very strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, emotional intelligence and self-management.
• Highly organised, good prioritisation skills.
• Disciplined and conscientious, results oriented.
• Tenacious, resilient and adaptable to change.
• Change advocate with a curious, continuous learning mindset.
• Forward-thinking, innovative.
• Passion for the RI brand and customer.

About Us: 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.

This role is based at our Head Office in West London.

What we can offer you:

• Generous 50% staff discount.
• A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café.
• Flexible working is a given.
• A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
• 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays.

Keeping You Safe: At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. 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.

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.