Strategic Partnerships Junior Merchandiser, 12 Month FTC

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.