Merchandise Planner

Merchandise Planner
Job Spec
• 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

Knowledge, Skills and abilities required
• Advanced knowledge of excel, retail systems and general computer skills
• Must be able to run pivot tables and do vlookup functions and create and maintain advanced reports
• Must understand forecasting aspect of planning and interaction of key KPI’s.
• Good articulation with excellent English written & verbal communication skills
• Good numerical, analytical thinking & logical problem-solving skills
• Strong merchant, trader and commercial mentality
• Team Collaborator who is strategic and forward thinking
• Strong planning, organizing, administrating and coordinating skills
• Ability to work independently, self-lead and use initiative
• Methodical, detail-orientated and high level of accuracy
• Punctual, Deadline driven and outcomes focused
• Strong data handling capabilities
• Attention to detail key
• Grade 12/ Matric
• Relevant 3-year Degree/ Diploma
• Min 3-5 years relevant Retail Planning experience accountable for own area and managing allocators / order clerks.
Apparel / Accessories / Footwear experience is preferable.