Junior Buyer

RIVER ISLAND; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% staff discount

Retail Trust discounts

Onsite gym and restaurant

Family support and wellbeing

Pension plan and AXA healthcare option

Job summary

River Island is seeking a Junior Buyer to manage a well-balanced range across channels from our London base. You will work closely with Design, Merchandising and Technical teams, leveraging supplier relationships to deliver high-performing product ranges that meet commercial targets.

You will need strong commercial and analytical skills, the ability to manage Critical Path and cost-effective use of resources, and a track record of driving margin while mentoring junior team members.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Junior Buyer or Assistant Buyer.
• Omni-channel experience is highly desirable.
• Track record of delivering sales and margin targets.
• Strong supplier network within the industry.
• Experience identifying and delivering on new product opportunities.
• Experience mentoring or managing team members.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a highly commercial, balanced range across channels.
• Monitor Critical Path and development process to meet deadlines.
• Leverage customer insight to drive sales and margin across channels.
• Manage department trading performance with Merchandising counterpart.
• Negotiate best deals with suppliers to improve margin.
• Support cross-functional teams in design, technical, and merchandising.
• Mentor junior buying team members and set objectives.
• Incorporate sustainable sourcing practices and ethical standards.

Skills

Junior Buyer experience

Omni-channel experience

Sales and margin targets

Supplier network

New product opportunities

Team leadership/mentoring

Job description

The Buying team at River Island play a key role in realising the commercial opportunities created by our unique designs across all of our channels. This is achieved though effective range planning, awareness of key commercial data and customer trends, excellent supplier relations and internal networks, and execution of the Buying Strategy to deliver sales and profit plans. The Junior Buyer agrees department strategy, and sources and builds a commercial product range aligned to deliver key targets. Through working collaboratively with Core Merchandising, Design and Technical teams, reviewing trading performance, and understanding customers, the Junior Buyer identifies key actions to achieve department margin targets and grow market share whilst maintaining our sustainability commitments.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver a highly commercial and well-balanced range for all channels through working closely with Design and Merchandising, nurturing supplier relationships and implementing the department strategy
• Review and take action to ensure Critical Path and development process is running smoothly to deliver product to customers at the right time
• Through a solid and current understanding of our customers, the industry, and our competitors, including gaining insight through store visits and comp shops, propose initiatives and opportunities across all channels to drive sales and margin, including new product trials
• Manages trading performance of their department/area alongside their Merchandising counterpart, ensuring they identify and react in a timely way to both risks and opportunities.
• Seek out opportunities for margin growth through understanding and exploring our processes, products components, souring methods and supplier base
• Through strong supplier relationships, negotiate best deals and delivery to critical path
• Strong and clear management of the Critical Path and development process to ensure the timely delivery of product, building strong partnerships with Merchandising, Design and Technical counterparts to ensure they are all engaged at the right point in the CP
• At all stages, begin to incorporate an understanding of sustainable practices in sourcing, development and production to contribute to delivery of our sustainability commitments
• At all stages, ensure that we uphold ethical trading standards, with a strong focus on partnering with and supporting suppliers to identify and address any risks to the relationship
• At all stages, incorporate an understanding of technical, fabric and product compliance requirements, ensuring these are all delivered at the best possible cost within the critical path
• Plans sourcing strategy for own areas, either independently or with Senior Buyers support where relevant, that reduce costs and grows margin with consideration of all external factors
• Supports Technical team in fit sessions to ensure all quality and fit of all product is to River Island standards
• Supports all wholesale opportunities to drive performance
• Communicating with cross divisional counterparts regarding supplier mix, cloth and trade info to gain insight to drive opportunities
• Builds cross divisional working relationships and external networks
• Supports the team in the implementation of all company working practices and processes
• Manages the development of the Junior members of the Buying team, supports in setting the direction and objectives to be achieved on the department

Key experience required

• Previous experience as a Junior Buyer, or established Assistant Buyer is required
• Experience in an omni-channel business is highly desirable
• Track record of delivering sales and margin targets is essential
• A supplier and industry network is essential
• Track record of identifying and delivering on new product opportunities
• Track record of either directly managing others, or supporting and mentoring other team members to create high levels of engagement and performance

Job role competencies

• Strong commercial and analytical skills
• Strong verbal and numerical reasoning skills
• Very good negotiation skills
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Highly organised and proactive, good prioritisation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness
• Good management and development skills
• Builds and nurtures relationships with peers, highly collaborative
• Curious, continuous learning mindset
• Disciplined and conscientious, results oriented
• Highly resilient and adaptable with the ability to multitask
• Forward-thinking, innovative
• Coaching, mentoring mindset
• Ability to present own views and assert own views
• Good presentation skills
• Passion for the RI brand and customer

About Us

We're a much-loved brand with an exciting future. We understand our assignment, take ownership and deliver amazing results. Our people 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, that's why we are the ultimate place to work. Winning together is what a career at River Island is like.

This role is based at our Head Office, Chelsea House, 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 your 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 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!
• Give as you earn scheme, a 'Giver Island' day each year and receive matched funding.
• Progression focus throughout Retail & Head Office. Support with upskilling skills through on the job training and qualifications.
• We contribute toward your retirement and offer a 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!

Keeping You Safe

We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We expect all employees to uphold our values and contribute to a positive working environment.

Our business 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 or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.