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Merchandiser
Merchandising Team Lead / Merchandiser – Head Office, Chelsea House
Department
Merchandising
Location
Head Office, Chelsea House (West London)
Description
The Merchandising team at River Island plays a key role in realising the commercial opportunities created by our unique product across all channels. This involves developing and implementing a multichannel planning and trading strategy for a multi-product department. The Merchandiser has a direct impact on the product offer by channel, ensuring all customer requirements are met and department strategies, sales, and profit plans are delivered successfully.
Working closely with buying counterparts, the Merchandiser ensures:
- Margin targets are achieved
- Market share growth
- Sustainability commitments are met
This role demands driving merchandising team performance, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, and partnering with other teams to ensure timely product delivery and performance enhancement.
Key Accountabilities
Strategy and Growth
- Develops department and category strategy for a multi-product area
- Drives sales and profit growth through planning and trading execution across all channels
- Utilises performance analysis (current/past trends, market data) to identify opportunities across channels
- Creates a forward strategy with the Buyer to deliver brand briefs and operational plans
- Proposes adjustments to short- and long-term financial plans, OTB, and on-order commitments to optimise margin and sales, improving channel-specific trading performance
Financial Control & Efficiency
- Ensures a balanced range by channel via transparent option frameworks
- Controls stock levels within planning targets, adhering to markdown thresholds
- Manages commitment review by size, maximising sales via availability
Sourcing & Sustainability
- Develops cost-reducing sourcing strategies while increasing margins, integrating sustainable practices at all production stages
- Works with buying teams to ensure sustainability commitments are met
Product & Distribution Strategy
- Manages department critical paths with the Buyer, ensuring on-time product delivery
- Plans and executes distribution strategy for all channels
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Performance & Wholesale
- Identifies wholesale opportunities and performance-enhancing initiatives
- Proactively monitors market trends, sales/margin history, and competitor analysis to determine risks and opportunities, proposing data-driven actions
Partnership & Growth
- Builds cross-divisional relationships and external networks to gain broader industry insights
- Challenges outdated processes where reforms will improve efficiency
Merchandiser Leadership & Development
- Partners with the Buyer to propose and implement sales and margin initiatives, including new product trials
- Grows talent within the merchandising team, identifying promotion opportunities, and providing coaching, mentoring, and stretch assignments
- Manages teams effectively by:
- Setting clear objectives aligned with department goals
- Aligning team efforts towards performance-focused outcomes
- Providing timely feedback to foster high performance
Required Experience
✅ Previous experience as a Merchandiser or established Junior Merchandiser ✅ Omni-channel business expertise (highly desirable) ✅ Proven track record of exceeding sales and margin targets ✅ Record of identifying and executing new product opportunities ✅ Strong history of leading high-performing teams and fostering engagement
Core Competencies
🔹 Exceptional verbal/numerical reasoning and analytical skills 🔹 Confident and influential communication in all stakeholder engagements 🔹 Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in data-driven decisions 🔹 Skills to present and advocate ideas to varying audiences for buy-in 🔹 Strong people management, mentoring, and talent development expertise 🔹 Excellent collaboration, emotional intelligence, and self-management 🔹 Exceptional organisation and prioritization skills 🔹 Results-driven, disciplined, and resilient mindset 🔹 Change advocate with continuous improvement focus 🔹 Forward-thinking, innovative problem-solving approach
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About Us
River Island is a beloved high-street and digital brand with diverse, talented teams driving innovation. Our culture prioritises collaboration, creativity, and career growth. Progressing at River Island means diverse opportunities across fashion, retail, and business.
This role is based at our Head Office in West London.
What We Offer You
💰 Financial & Purchase Benefits
- 50% staff discount for exclusive access to current collections
- Discounts on everyday expenses (Retail Trust benefits, wellness support, financial advice)
🏃♀️ Worklife & Comfort
- Onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café
- Annual social events fostering team engagement
👨👩👧👦 Family Support
- Comprehensive offerings including maternity, paternity, adoption, and fertility support
- Specialised family & wellbeing assistance through Retail Trust
💻 Flexibility & Work Balance
- Flexible working options
- Early finish Fridays and summer early-paydays
💻 Education & Development
- Upskilling opportunities through training and certifications
- Clear succession plans for career progression
🏥 Healthcare & Wellbeing
- Onsite gym, gym membership discount, and subsidised dining
- AXA healthcare package (optional)
- Commuting allowance
📅 Leave & Giving Back
- 25 paid days holiday (excluding bank holidays)
- Holiday Assist Award (optional two additional purchases per year)
- Give as You Earn matching scheme and annual "Giver Island" day
Safeguarding & Diversity Commitment
River Island is dedicated to safeguarding all employees, adhering to Prevent duty requirements and supporting British values:
- Democracy
- Rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Respect and tolerance for diverse beliefs
Equality, diversity, and inclusion are core to our culture. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, embrace flexible working requests, and actively foster an environment where everyone belongs.
Note: Locations are fully COVID-appropriate.
"Our Island is made up of a diverse community. Equality of opportunity is at our heart."
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