The Strategic Partnerships Merchandising team at River Island plays a key role in delivering commercial growth through a diverse portfolio of strategic partners and external channels. This is achieved by developing and implementing the planning and trading strategy for partner accounts, ensuring alignment with the River Island brand while maximising sales, profit and partner performance.
The Junior Merchandiser has a direct impact on the product offer across Strategic Partnerships by supporting the development and delivery of the partner strategy. Working closely with Buying, Account Management and wider business functions, they drive planning and trading performance, identify commercial opportunities, manage risk and ensure the right product reaches the right partners at the right time. A River Island Junior Merchandiser successfully drives merchandising team performance.
Responsibilities:
- Own the planning and trading of selected Strategic Partnership accounts or product categories, presenting directly to the Strategic Partnerships Merchandiser and Merch Lead.
- Support the development and delivery of the Strategic Partnerships merchandising strategy, aligned to the River Island brand and commercial objectives.
- Grow sales and profit by actively driving trading performance and supporting all aspects of the planning process.
- Through analysis of current and historical performance, partner data and market trends, identify risks and opportunities and recommend actions to improve performance.
- Work closely with Buying to develop seasonal range plans, supporting option planning, pre-season buys, intake, stock and in-season trading.
- Manage stock and partner commitments to ensure planned stock levels are maintained and trading objectives are achieved.
- Support the management of the department critical path to ensure timely product delivery.
- Produce and maintain sales reporting, forecasting and commercial analysis to support business decisions and partner performance.
- Build strong cross-functional relationships with Buying, Account Management, Supply Chain and wider business teams.
- Support the implementation of company initiatives, processes and ways of working across the Strategic Partnerships function.
- Manage the development of junior merchandising team members, supporting in setting direction and objectives for the department.
Skills:
- Experienced Assistant Merchandiser or current Junior Merchandiser with at least 18 months' experience within merchandising.
- Experience in an omni-channel business is highly desirable; experience within Strategic Partnerships or Wholesale is advantageous.
- Track record of directly managing or mentoring others to create high engagement and performance.
- Strong communication, analytical and numerical skills.
- Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to identify risks and opportunities through data analysis.
- Very strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with good self-awareness.
- Highly organised with excellent prioritisation skills.
- Good coaching and development skills.
- Disciplined, results-oriented, resilient and adaptable to change.
- Forward-thinking, innovative, with a curious mindset.
- Passion for the River Island brand and customer.
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. Check us out here on a map.
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 the Retail Trust.
A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill you 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. We also work closely with the Retail Trust to create dedicated support for all our Islanders!
Flexible working, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
The choice to opt in for healthcare through our provider AXA.
- ️ 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!
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. To find out more, please visit www.gov.uk.
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. To find out more about this interview process, check out our hiring process below.
