Merchandiser

• Develops the department and category strategy for a multiproduct area
• Grows sales and profit through successful planning and trading across all channels
• Through analysis of current and past performance alongside market data, formulate all opportunities to drive the business across all channels
• Creates a forward strategy with the Buyer to deliver company brand briefs and operating plans
• Proposes adjustments to immediate and longer-term financial plans, OTB and on order to optimise margin and sales, driving the trading performance of the department by channel
• Delivers an option framework to ensure a balanced range by channel
• Controls stocks within planned levels and works within agreed markdown targets
• Accountable for commitment review by size, maximising sales through availability
• Plans sourcing strategies that reduce costs and grows margin with consideration of all external factors, incorporating an understanding of sustainable practices in sourcing and production ensuring the buying team are supported in this to deliver on our sustainability commitments
• Strong management of the department critical path with the buyer to ensure timely delivery of product
• Plans and delivers the distribution strategy of stock to all channels
• Identifies all wholesale opportunities and looks for all opportunities to drive performance
• Using all available sources including regular store visits, industry news, sales and margin history, comp shops, identifies risks and opportunities, proposing actions to positively impact performance
• Builds cross divisional working relationships and external networks to develop broad perspective and identify future opportunities
• Challenges all company working practices where appropriate to improve ways of working
• Alongside the Buyer, propose initiatives and acts on opportunities to drive sales and margin, including new product trial strategies
• Grows talent within the merchandising team and identify readiness for next role, providing learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring in a timely way to enable everyone to realise their individual potential
• Manage a team effectively, setting the direction and objectives to be achieved for your department, ensuring the team is aligned and working towards those objectives, and driving for a high-performance team, providing timely feedback and support to enable each person to work to the best of their abilities, and opportunities for learning and stretch as appropriate within the team

• Previous experience as a Merchandiser, or established Junior Merchandiser
• Experience in an omni-channel business is highly desirable
• Track record of delivering and exceeding sales and margin targets is essential
• Track record of identifying and delivering on new product opportunities
• Track record of driving strong team and individual performance and engagement
• Very strong verbal and numerical reasoning skills
• Very strong communication skills
• Very strong analytical skills
• Very strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Skilled at presenting new ideas, flexing style and approach to gain buy-in
• Very strong people management, coaching, mentoring and development skills
• Very strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, emotional intelligence and self-management
• Highly organised, good prioritisation skills
• Disciplined and conscientious, results oriented
• Tenacious, resilient and adaptable to change
• Change advocate with a curious, continuous learning mindset
• Forward-thinking, innovative
• Passion for the RI brand and customer

Experience in an omni-channel business is highly desirable

• Generous 50% staff discount
• Bargain staff shop on site
• Discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions through the Retail Trust
• Free onsite gym
• Subsidised restaurant & café
• Various social events
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment
• Flexible working
• Payday and summer early finish Fridays
• Give as you earn scheme
• A 'Giver Island' day each year
• Matched funding
• Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications
• A succession plan
• A generous bonus scheme
• Private pension plan
• Option to opt in for healthcare through AXA
• Allowance supporting commute to work
• 25 days paid holiday exclusive of Bank Holidays
• Option to purchase additional holiday twice a year