Wholesale Buyer, Womenswear. 12 Month FTC
Wholesale Buyer, Womenswear. 12 Month FTC

Wholesale Buyer, Womenswear. 12 Month FTC

Full-Time 28800 - 43200 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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River Island

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive womenswear buying strategy and manage wholesale accounts in a fast-paced environment.
  • Company: Join River Island, a beloved brand with a bright future and a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 50% staff discount, flexible working, and a free onsite gym.
  • Why this job: Shape exciting womenswear ranges and make a real impact in the fashion industry.
  • Qualifications: Strong background in womenswear buying and excellent communication skills required.
  • Other info: Dynamic team environment with great career progression opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.

We’re looking for a dynamic Womenswear Wholesale Buyer to drive divisional and partner strategy in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This is a dual role, combining wholesale account management with consignment and marketplace range building. You’ll be responsible for creating and trading compelling womenswear ranges while driving performance across both wholesale partners and digital marketplace channels.

Acting as the key link between River Island’s internal B&M teams and external brand partners, you’ll shape seasonal buys, identify opportunities, and drive performance against divisional KPIs. You’ll lead with pace, tackle challenges with a solutions-focused mindset, and empower your team to deliver strong commercial results.

Key Responsibilities
  • Curate commercially balanced ranges aligned with brand and divisional strategy.
  • Lead partner selection meetings, ensuring River Island’s brand DNA and product integrity are maintained.
  • Analyse trade to maximise performance and identify growth opportunities.
  • Represent Wholesale in pre-season strategy and sign-off meetings.
  • Manage the B2B platform (NuOrder), ensuring smooth order and delivery processes.
  • Lead and inspire a team, providing clear direction, support, and development opportunities.
  • Work with pace and agility, driving informed decisions to capitalise on market opportunities.
About You
  • Strong womenswear product and buying background with proven commercial results.
  • Confident communicator with excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
  • Analytical, proactive, and solutions-focused, with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.
  • Experienced in leading and developing teams in a fast-moving retail environment.
  • Understanding of omni-channel retail and wholesale operations.
  • Experience with NuOrder or similar B2B platforms preferred.
  • Passionate, resilient, and collaborative, with a drive to deliver results.
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 is what a career at River Island is like. And this is where yours starts.

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

What we can offer you:
  • Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
  • Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through Reward Gateway!
  • A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill your needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
  • Every family is unique, we support Islanders with all different family setups enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment.
  • Flexible working is a given, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
  • Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
  • The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.
  • An allowance supporting your commute to work.
  • 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!
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. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

Wholesale Buyer, Womenswear. 12 Month FTC employer: River Island

River Island is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a generous benefits package including a 50% staff discount, flexible working options, and comprehensive support for personal and professional growth, employees are empowered to excel in their roles. Located in West London, our Head Office offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for career progression and a commitment to employee wellbeing.
River Island

Contact Detail:

River Island Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Wholesale Buyer, Womenswear. 12 Month FTC

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching River Island's latest collections and understanding their brand DNA. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely passionate about their products and ready to contribute to their success.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Wholesale Buyer role. Highlight your analytical skills and past successes in driving performance – this is your chance to shine!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the River Island family. Let’s get you that dream job!

We think you need these skills to ace Wholesale Buyer, Womenswear. 12 Month FTC

Womenswear Product Knowledge
Wholesale Account Management
Range Building
Commercial Awareness
Stakeholder Management
Analytical Skills
Team Leadership
B2B Platform Management (NuOrder)
Omni-Channel Retail Understanding
Performance Analysis
Solutions-Focused Mindset
Agility in Decision Making
Communication Skills
Collaboration Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Womenswear: When writing your application, let your love for womenswear shine through! Share specific examples of your experience and how it aligns with our brand's vision. We want to see that you’re not just a buyer, but someone who truly understands and appreciates the fashion world.

Be Data-Driven: We’re all about making informed decisions here at River Island. Highlight your analytical skills by mentioning how you've used data to drive performance in previous roles. Show us how you can identify growth opportunities and maximise trade – numbers speak volumes!

Tailor Your Application: Make sure your application is tailored to the Wholesale Buyer role. Use keywords from the job description and demonstrate how your skills match what we’re looking for. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in joining our team.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy and ensures your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll be one step closer to becoming part of our vibrant River Island family!

How to prepare for a job interview at River Island

✨Know Your Womenswear

Dive deep into the latest trends in womenswear before your interview. Familiarise yourself with key brands, styles, and market movements. This will not only show your passion but also demonstrate your understanding of the role's requirements.

✨Master the Numbers

Be prepared to discuss your analytical skills and how you've used data to drive performance in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've maximised sales or identified growth opportunities through trade analysis. Numbers speak volumes!

✨Showcase Your Team Leadership

Think of specific instances where you've led a team in a fast-paced environment. Highlight how you inspired and developed your team while achieving commercial results. River Island values collaboration, so be ready to share your approach to teamwork.

✨Understand the B2B Landscape

Familiarise yourself with B2B platforms like NuOrder. If you have experience with similar systems, be sure to mention it. Understanding the operational side of wholesale will set you apart and show you're ready to hit the ground running.

Wholesale Buyer, Womenswear. 12 Month FTC
River Island
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