Assistant Buyer, Girlswear

River Island

Oct 24

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Junior Level
Sales & Business Development
Product
London

Requirements

Previous experience as an Assistant Buyer, or established Senior Buyer's Admin Assistant is required
Experience working across Girlswear or Womenswear is essential
Experience in an omni-channel, fast moving business is highly desirable
Very good verbal and numerical reasoning skills
Intermediate MS Office skills
Computer literate and ability to learn new systems quickly
Highly organised and proactive, good prioritisation skills
Collaborative, with strong communication and interpersonal skills
Very good commercial and market awareness
Disciplined and conscientious, results oriented
Resilient and adaptable with the ability to multitask
Curious, continuous learning mindset
Coaching, mentoring mindset
Ability to present own views and assert own views
Takes initiative
Good presentation skills
A keen interest in Product and the River Island brand is a must

Responsibilities

Support weekly trading reviews, updating and providing information to the Buying team as needed
Ensure orders and invoices are accurately and efficiently processed by the BAAs, and new suppliers are onboarded
Effective sample management, including labelling, working with suppliers (including Home Production where relevant), maintaining the development tracker and ensuring the correct samples are available to support meetings
Supporting in fit meetings ensuring BAA has prepped accordingly and inputting in the session, deputising in fits where appropriate
Co-ordinating labelling and ticketing to a high standard
Monitor and review Critical Path, responding to escalations of risks to reduce delays, and maintaining as awareness of current lead times
Assist Buyer with cost negotiations and range building
Through a strong knowledge of competitors, key market trends, customers and channels, produce comp shops with recommendations, identifying opportunity and raising to buyer
Build a foundational understanding of sustainability and how it impacts the Buying choices that are made
Build a foundational understanding of compliance considerations and impact to the critical path management
Seek out and positively respond to opportunities to step up and present in trade and department meetings
Through a growing awareness of ethical trading practises, ensure that we partner well with our suppliers and behave in a consistently ethical way towards them
Manages the workload of the BAA with a thorough understanding of the BAA performance and escalating to Buyer where support is needed
Sets the direction and objectives for the BAA providing timely feedback and support to enable them to work to the best of their abilities
Work cross functionally with Core Merchandising team for effective ways of working and collaboratively with other internal teams (Ecommerce, Wholesale, Visual Merchandising)

FAQs

What department is the Assistant Buyer position for?

The Assistant Buyer position is for the Kidswear department.

Where is the Head Office located?

The Head Office is located at Chelsea House.

What are the main responsibilities of the Assistant Buyer?

The main responsibilities include supporting weekly trading reviews, processing orders and invoices, managing samples, assisting in fit meetings, coordinating labelling and ticketing, monitoring the Critical Path, and supporting cost negotiations and range building.

What kind of experience is required for the Assistant Buyer role?

Previous experience as an Assistant Buyer or established Senior Buyer's Admin Assistant is required, along with experience working across Girlswear or Womenswear.

What skills are essential for this role?

Essential skills include strong verbal and numerical reasoning, intermediate MS Office skills, excellent organizational and prioritization abilities, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a good understanding of commercial and market awareness.

Is there an opportunity for career progression within the company?

Yes, there are various paths for progression within River Island, as indicated in the job description.

What type of work culture does River Island promote?

River Island promotes a collaborative and supportive work culture, celebrating diversity and providing various employee benefits.

Are there any discounts available for employees?

Yes, employees receive a generous 50% staff discount and access to a bargain staff shop onsite.

What benefits does River Island offer alongside salary?

Benefits include a contributory private pension scheme, a bonus scheme, 25 days paid holiday, a free onsite gym, flexible work arrangements, and enhanced family support.

What levels of education are preferred for this role?

While specific educational requirements are not mentioned, relevant experience and competencies are prioritized.

Does River Island have a commitment to ethical practices?

Yes, River Island emphasizes ethical trading practices and ensures strong partnerships with suppliers while adhering to compliance considerations.

River Island

This is life on the Island

Retail & Consumer Goods

Industry

5001-10,000

Employees

Mission & Purpose

Family owned from day one, we’ve been a big part of life on the UK high street for over 70 years. Today, still guided by shared values and a clear focus on our customers, we’re one of the strongest and most successful fashion brands around. And we’re changing like never before – exploring new ways to connect with our customers in person and online. And our talented Islanders are thinking differently about everything from products and stores to wellbeing and sustainability. The result is an energising culture you’ll love, work that’ll stretch you, a career you can build and a brand you’ll be proud to belong to. This is life on the island. Come and be part of it.