An exciting opportunity for an experienced and qualified retail merchandise planner to join a growing team! This is a fast-paced, high pressure environment and requires ADVANCED EXCEL skills. (Please note that an Excel assessment will be required for shortlisted candidates)

What the job entails:

• To drive sales and profitability (GP) through the category management of sales, stock, OTB and margin
• Collate / Manipulate data for manual input into planning tool
• Forecast sales and stock on the planning templates based on current trend, performance and opportunities
• Ensure that category stock holding is in line with budget / forecast and manage the OTB accordingly
• Make commercial recommendations based on current trade and propose actions
• Assortment planning and assist in product ranging
• Analyse size curves at store level as well as other key user defined attributes
• Seasonal analysis and post mortem with corresponding strategy and range planning
• Responsible for developing and translating departmental pre-season merchandise strategies into executable in-season merchandise plans
• Establish pre-season sales and margin plans, together with the inventory levels required to support them
• In season, re-project sales and markdowns in consideration with the impact on margin
• Manage the allocation teams to balance inventory and assortment across the stores to ensure the right stock is in the right store at the right time
• Provide financial strategies for sales, markdowns, inventory and gross margin, and also responsible for accurate in-season forecasting, driving course corrections and improvements based on variances between actual results and the plan
• Working closely in a team with buyers and allocators to make sure the range is executed
• Liaise with buying departments regarding style performance
• Controlling the budget and managing the supply chain of the different categories / departments.
• Strategically manage stock and produce accurate figures for analysis
• Grading stores and calculating units buys for the buying team in order to support the strategy
• Oversee and work with allocators to correctly distribute stock to stores through allocations, consolidations and stock movements
• Maintaining store stock levels for core merchandise
• Other ad hoc reporting

Minimum Requirements, Knowledge & Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of Excel (Pivot tables, VLookups etc), retail systems and general computer skills
• Understanding of the forecasting aspect of planning and interaction of key KPI’s
• Excellent English written & verbal communication skills
• Good numerical, analytical thinking & logical problem-solving skills
• Strong merchant, trader and commercial mentality
• Strong planning, organizing, administrating and coordinating skills
• Ability to work independently, self-lead and use initiative
• Methodical, detail-orientated and high level of accuracy
• Grade 12/ Matric
• Relevant 3-year Degree/ Diploma
• Minimum 3-5 years relevant Retail Planning experience accountable for own area and managing relevant staff
• Apparel / Accessories / Footwear experience is preferable