Merchandiser / Senior Merchandiser, FTC

Department: Kidswear

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Head Office, Chelsea House

DescriptionThe Merchandising team at River Island play 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 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. A River Island Merchandiser must successfully drive the performance of the merchandising team.   \nKey Accountabilities: \nDevelops the department and category strategy for a multiproduct area \nGrows sales and profit through successful planning and trading across all channels \nThrough analysis of current and past performance alongside market data, formulate all opportunities to drive the business across all channels \nCreates a forward strategy with the Buyer to deliver company brand briefs and operating plans \nProposes 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 \nDelivers an option framework to ensure a balanced range by channel \nControls stocks within planned levels and works within agreed markdown targets \nAccountable for commitment review by size, maximising sales through availability. \nPlans sourcing strategies that reduce costs and grows margin with consideration of all external factors, incorporating an understanding of sustainable practices in sourcing and production ensuring the buying team are supported in this to deliver on our sustainability commitments. \nStrong management of the department critical path with the buyer to ensure timely delivery of product \nPlans and delivers the distribution strategy of stock to all channels \nIdentifies all wholesale opportunities and looks for all opportunities to drive performance \nUsing 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 \nBuilds cross divisional working relationships and external networks. To develop broad perspective and identify future opportunities \nChallenges all company working practices where appropriate to improve ways of working  \nAlongside the Buyer, propose initiatives and acts on opportunities to drive sales and margin, including new product trial strategies \nGrows talent within the merchandising team and identify readiness for next role, providing learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring in a timely way to enable everyone to realise their individual potential  \nManage a team effectively, setting the direction and objectives to be achieved for your department, ensuring the team is aligned and working towards those objectives, and driving for a high-performance team. Providing timely feedback and support to enable each person to work to the best of their abilities, and opportunities for learning and stretch as appropriate within the team. \n\nKey experience required: \nPrevious experience as a Merchandiser, or established Junior Merchandiser \nExperience in an omni-channel business is highly desirable \nTrack record of delivering and exceeding sales and margin targets is essential \nTrack record of identifying and delivering on new product opportunities \nTrack record of driving strong team and individual performance and engagement \n \nJob role competencies: \nVery strong verbal and numerical reasoning skills \nVery strong communication skills \nVery strong analytical skills \nVery strong attention to detail and accuracy  \nSkilled at presenting new ideas, flexing style and approach to gain buy-in \nVery strong people management, coaching, mentoring and development skills \nVery strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, emotional intelligence and self-management \nHighly organised, good prioritisation skills \nDisciplined and conscientious, results oriented \nTenacious, resilient and adaptable to change  \nChange advocate with a curious, continuous learning mindset \nForward-thinking, innovative \nPassion for the RI brand and customer \n

About UsWe’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.