Head of Buying

River Island

29d ago

Job
Full-time
Senior Level
Marketing
Product
London

AI generated summary

You must have extensive buying experience, strong strategic and leadership skills, a proven sales track record, excellent negotiation abilities, and a passion for product and the brand.
You will manage financial plans, identify growth opportunities, optimize product ranges, foster supplier relationships, ensure sustainability, lead your team, and promote a positive workplace culture.

Requirements

Previous experience as a Head of Buying, or established Buying Manager is required
Experience in an omni-channel business is highly desirable
Proven results in potentialising both speed to market and long-lead margin-rich routes to deliver upsides to the forecast
Track record of delivering and exceeding sales and margin targets is essential
Proven results in developing and implementing strategy
Track record of building and utilising a strong internal network to drive results
Track record of building an extensive supplier and industry network, and in utilising this network to drive results
Track record of driving strong team and individual performance and engagement
Excellent commercial and analytical skills
Excellent verbal and numerical reasoning skills
Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
Excellent judgement, able to solve complex problems and be decisive
Excellent change readiness and management skills
Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
Excellent at presenting to a senior audience, flexing style to gain buy-in
Highly curious, seeking broad input and opportunities to develop
Highly attentive to interpersonal dynamics, excellent emotional intelligence
Highly skilled at building and nurturing a broad network, collaborative mindset
Highly skilled at flexing their style and approach to others
Excellent ability to communicate and align teams to strategy and vision
Ability to manage multiple teams
Highly resilient, tenacious and adaptable to change
Excellent people management coaching, mentoring and development skills
Change advocate with a curious, continuous learning mindset
Forward-thinking, innovative
Passion for product and the RI brand and customer

Responsibilities

Ensure delivery of short, mid and long-term financial plans, sales and margin for their areas
Through highly developed commercial acumen, and entrepreneurial mindset, demonstrate curiosity to uncover risks and opportunities at a strategic level across the broader market and industry, for all channels and categories, creating the long-term strategic plan for their areas
Identify and manage mid-term opportunities to drive sales and margin, including influencing and executing price point graphics
Through in-depth product knowledge, River Island brand alignment and vision, ensure the product ranges for each season is optimal to deliver the brand promise to our customers, in the unique River Island handwriting, and at the right quality for the level of the market
Assess the risks and opportunities of the supplier base, in line with Product Strategy ensuring we are connected and hold relationships with suppliers who are best placed to support us in achieving our strategic goals
Collaborate with peers across Product and beyond to inform own view, ensure alignment to the strategic priorities, create synergies and leverage support
Work closely with Visual Merchandising to influence store layouts, ensuring product presentation is optimised to drive sales and deliver the planned vision for the division
Be ultimately accountable for progress towards and delivery of our Sustainability commitments within the division, championing and advocating for sustainability to be incorporated into fabrication and production methods and choices across the team
Cascade the strategic plan through their BMs and teams, keeping everyone aligned to and engaged in the priorities and deliverables
Create capacity and capability within the team to deliver the strategic plan, identifying where there are risks and taking action to address these; encouraging and role modelling agile working, fostering and developing entrepreneurial mindset and skills, and ultimately enabling team members to perform at their best and maximise their contribution to the business
Lead change programmes, advocating for necessary change and creating engagement within their areas
Pro-actively plan and take action to develop an internal talent pool and external talent pipeline to ensure the team has the right capacity and capability to deliver on business plans
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

FAQs

What is the location of the Head of Buying position?

The position is located at the Head Office in Chelsea House.

What are the primary responsibilities of the Head of Buying?

The Head of Buying is responsible for shaping the Product Strategy, delivering financial plans, managing supplier relationships, optimizing product ranges, and supporting the overall divisional strategy.

What kind of experience is required for this role?

Previous experience as a Head of Buying or an established Buying Manager is required, along with a proven track record in delivering sales and margin targets, developing strategies, and building strong networks.

What competencies are expected from the Head of Buying?

The role requires excellent commercial and analytical skills, attention to detail, strong negotiation and influencing skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage multiple teams.

How does the company ensure sustainability in its products?

The Head of Buying is accountable for championing sustainability within the division by incorporating it into fabrication and production methods and choices.

What benefits does River Island offer to its employees?

Benefits include a 50% staff discount, access to onsite facilities like a gym and subsidised restaurant, flexible working, enhanced family support, a bonus scheme, and much more.

Is there a focus on professional development?

Yes, the company supports skills upskilling through on-the-job training and qualifications.

What kind of team culture can be expected at River Island?

River Island fosters a culture of wellbeing and inclusion, encourages open communication, and promotes a collaborative environment among employees.

Are there opportunities for career progression within the company?

Yes, River Island offers career progression opportunities in various directions for its employees.

How many paid holidays does the Head of Buying position offer?

The position offers 25 days of paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase additional holiday.

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.

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