At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales and profit through strategic planning and analysis in a dynamic merchandising role.
- Company: Join River Island, a leading fashion retailer with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous discounts, flexible working, health benefits, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product strategy while growing your career in fashion.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Merchandiser or Junior Merchandiser with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
The Merchandising team at River Island plays a key role in realising the commercial opportunities created by our unique product across all the channels. This is achieved through developing and implementing the multichannel planning and trading strategy for a multiproduct department. The Merchandiser directly impacts the product offer by channel to fulfil all customer requirements and deliver the department strategy, sales and profit plans.
Department: Womenswear
Location: Head Office, Chelsea House
Key Accountabilities
- Develop the department and category strategy for a multiproduct area
- Grow sales and profit through successful planning and trading across all channels
- Formulate opportunities to drive the business using analysis of current and past performance alongside market data
- Create a forward strategy with the Buyer to deliver company brand briefs and operating plans
- Propose adjustments to immediate and long‑term financial plans, OTB and on‑order to optimise margin and sales, driving trading performance by channel
- Deliver an option framework to ensure a balanced range by channel
- Control stocks within planned levels and work within agreed markdown targets
- Account for commitment review by size, maximising sales through availability
- Plan sourcing strategies that reduce costs and grow margin, incorporating sustainable practices in sourcing and production
- Manage the department critical path with the buyer to ensure timely delivery of product
- Plan and deliver the distribution strategy of stock to all channels
- Identify wholesale opportunities and pursue performance gains
- Use all available sources, including regular store visits, industry news, sales and margin history, and reference shops, to identify risks and opportunities and propose actions
- Build cross‑divisional working relationships and external networks to develop a broad perspective and identify future opportunities
- Challenge company working practices where appropriate to improve ways of working
- Alongside the Buyer, propose initiatives and act on opportunities to drive sales and margin, including new product trial strategies
- Grow talent within the merchandising team and identify readiness for the next role, providing learning, coaching and mentoring
- Manage the team effectively, setting direction and objectives, ensuring alignment, and driving high performance with timely feedback and development opportunities
Key Experience Required
- Previous experience as a Merchandiser or established Junior Merchandiser
- Experience in an omni‑channel business highly desirable
- Proven track record of delivering and exceeding sales and margin targets
- Proven track record of identifying and delivering new product opportunities
- Proven 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 and innovative
- Passion for the River Island brand and customer
Benefits
- Generous staff discount
- Flexible working and paid holiday package with additional holiday purchase options
- Health and wellbeing benefits through the Retail Trust, financial advice and wellness solutions
- On‑site gym and subsidised restaurant & café
- Family support including maternity, paternity, adoption and fertility treatment benefits
- Private pension plan and generous bonus scheme
- Optional healthcare coverage through AXA
- Commuter allowance
Equal Opportunity Statement
River Island is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from individuals irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief. We consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.
Safeguarding and Workplace Safety
We are committed to safeguarding all employees and fulfil our obligations under the Prevent duty. We promote British Values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect.
Merchandiser, 9-12 Month FTC employer: River Island
River Island is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Head Office in Chelsea House, where creativity and collaboration thrive. With generous benefits including flexible working options, health and wellbeing support, and a strong focus on employee growth through coaching and mentoring, we empower our team to excel in their roles while driving the success of our Womenswear department. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking company that values innovation and inclusivity, making a meaningful impact in the retail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandiser, 9-12 Month FTC
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandiser, 9-12 Month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to River Island:Don’t forget to personalise your application for River Island! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at River Island
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that River Island offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at River Island and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
