Strategic Partnerships Assistant Buyer

Support the Product Manager in delivering the Womenswear Strategic Partnerships strategy, ensuring product ranges are commercially successful, customer-focused and aligned to both River Island and partner objectives.

Department: Buying

Location: Head Office, Chelsea House

Key Responsibilities

• Product & Trading
  • Support the planning, delivery and performance of Womenswear product ranges.
  • Analyse sales, customer and market trends to identify risks and opportunities.
  • Share trading insights and product recommendations with key stakeholders.
  • Support the delivery of sales, profit and growth targets.
• Product Management
  • Manage product critical paths and key deadlines.
  • Coordinate product selections, range reviews and seasonal milestones.
  • Ensure product information is accurate and communicated effectively across teams.
  • Support the successful delivery of products from planning through to launch.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Build strong relationships with Buying, Merchandising, Account Management and Strategic Partnerships teams.
  • Support product presentations and range reviews with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Act as a key point of contact for product-related queries.
  • Ensure feedback and insights are shared to support future product decisions.
• Team Development
  • Support and coach the Product Admin Assistant in their day-to-day responsibilities.
  • Encourage collaboration and continuous improvement across the team.
  • Contribute to a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture.

Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in Buying, Product, Merchandising or a similar commercial role.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of product performance.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Confident using data and insight to support decision-making.
• Passion for fashion, product and customer trends.

What Success Looks Like

• Commercially successful product ranges.
• Strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
• Effective management of product timelines and delivery.
• Delivery against sales, profit and growth targets.
• Positive support and development of junior team members.

Benefits

• Generous 50% staff discount and a staff shop on site.
• Discounts, benefits, financial advice, and wellbeing solutions through the Retail Trust.
• Free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant and café, and social events.
• Family support including maternity, paternity, adoption and fertility treatment support.
• Flexible working, including payday and summer early finish Fridays.
• Give as you earn scheme and annual ‘Giver Island’ day with matched funding.
• Support with upskilling through on-the-job training and qualifications, and a succession plan.
• 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.

Keeping You Safe

At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We fulfill our obligation under the Prevent duty which seeks to stop extremism and extremist views from materialising in our business. We promote and encourage 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. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.