Strategic Partnerships Assistant Merchandiser, 12 Month FTC

Job Purpose: The Assistant Merchandiser is responsible for supporting the Strategic Partnerships Merchandiser and Merch Lead, assisting with forming and delivering the partner strategy in line with the Wholesale Strategy and River Island Brand. They are a key support function for the Wholesale Merchandiser and Account Lead managing, but not exclusive to, planning and trading, order management, key messages for risk and opportunity. They will work with the partner and wholesale counterparts to shape the buying and merchandising plan and are accountable for guiding the merchandising teams in delivering. They will build strong cross functional working relationships and undertake company projects to support new initiatives. A River Island Assistant Merchandiser must lead by example, whilst supporting the training and developing Merchandising Admin Assistants.

Key Accountabilities

• Responsible for assisting with the planning and delivery of the trading strategy for the account with agreed KPIs
• Helps to form the wholesale strategy, aligning and collaborating with key counterparts against the River Island brand strategy
• Key point of contact for Partner Account team with day to day queries, including but not exclusive too, cancellations
• Works closely with the Wholesale product teams to direct and sign off on range plans considering Option width, ALB, pre-season buys, OTB and in season trading budgets
• Assists the Wholesale Merchandising team with providing accurate, relevant analysis to maximise sales and trading opportunities, proposing adjustments to immediate and longer-term financial plans
• Demonstrates commercial awareness through delivering relevant and concise department and category performance, suggesting action or amendments to drive additional sales and trade
• Responsible for the Wholesale sales report and data for the business’s internal sales reporting system/s
• Seeks additional reporting information in collaboration with the Merch and Account Leads, to support the business’s understanding of International performance and each Partner’s KPIs
• Responsible for the projected intake of flow products, ensuring appropriate levels of stock to sales, in line with cut offs
• Accurate management of Partner’s future commitment, identifying and highlighting opportunities and potential risk for Wholesale Partner/s
• Accurately maintains Weekly Intake forecasts
• Responsible for Wholesale stock management, reviewing and maintain stocks inline with the business’s seasonal strategy and markdown periods
• Accountable for maintaining accurate information and attribution within Wholesale’s order database
• Aware of the department’s critical path for timely delivery of planning documents
• Manages the workload of the MAA with a thorough understanding of the performance, escalating to the Merchandiser when needed
• Sets the direction and objectives for the MAA, providing timely feedback and support to enable them to work to the best of their abilities
• Challenges all company working practices where appropriate to improve ways of working
• Foster and enable a culture of wellbeing and inclusion through openness, two way listening and owning actions needed to create a great workplace for our Islanders

Key experience required

• At least 18 months' experience within merchandising, including previous experience at Assistant Merchandiser or as an established Senior Merchandising Admin/Senior Allocator
• Experience in an omni-channel business is highly desirable
• Track record of mentoring and developing other team members
• Proven results in assisting with and delivering a strategic plan
• Track record of delivering and exceeding KPIs
• Track record of driving strong team and individual performance and engagement
• Advanced Excel skills

Job role competencies

• Passion for the RI brand and customer
• Excellent verbal and numerical reasoning skills
• Excellent commercial awareness skills
• Advanced analytical skills
• Strong influencing skills
• Manages complexity and able to make sense of complex, high quantity and sometimes contradictory information, to effectively solve problems
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, emotional intelligence and self-management
• Skilled at presenting new ideas, flexing style and approach to gain buy-in
• Excellent people management and coaching, mentoring and development skills
• Highly organised, good prioritisation skills
• Ability to communicate and align teams to strategy and vision
• Disciplined and conscientious, results oriented
• Tenacious, resilient and adaptable to change
• Change advocate with a curious, continuous learning mindset
• Forward-thinking, innovative