Senior Merchandise Planner

Be the strategic mind behind the numbers. As a Retail Planner, you’ll manage inventory, sales forecasting, and category planning to ensure profit and stock optimization across all stores. You will play a key role in seasonal planning, markdown strategy, and category performance—driving commercial success while supporting the visual identity of the brand.Purpose:

To effectively apply Best Practice and efficient processes to ensure that finished goods are available to meet Customer and Channel demand, at the right stock location whilst minimizing Cost.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Financial

• Effectively manage stock levels to ensure that they are in line with expected volumes in conjunction with the sales plan for all channels

Stock management

• Ensure Timeous ordering of stock in line with forecast

• Display quick reaction to change in trading patterns and update future orders accordingly

• Develop and maintain effective clearance strategy, liaising with each channel to determine Deals / Sales planning

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the production / buying process e.g. Lead times, costing etc.

• Constantly reassess current systems and processes and propose enhancements

• Strive for best practice, constantly benchmarking against competitors locally and internationally

• Identify specific action steps and accountabilities

Systems and processes

• Reassess current systems and processes and propose enhancements for optimisation in the area

• Benchmark against competitors locally and internationally to ensure best practice

• Drive innovation to enhance productivity, effectiveness and efficiency

• Develop order source information to accurately reflect the order source across each marketing campaign

Reporting

• Produce timeous, accurate, and concise monthly reports

• Communicate clearly both verbally and in writing

• Ensure data integrity and consistent use of agreed variables

• Effective weekly reporting in weekly sales meeting and other ExCo related reporting

Analysis and range planning

• Develop effective analytical tools to drive area performance

• Effectively utilize information and systems to develop and implement plans

• Consistent and logical use of appropriate information to back up ideas and proposals

• Logically rationalise testing of product

Product knowledge & trade instinct

• Ensure balanced range across newness and bestselling formulas

• Critically appraise past success and failures

• Keep up to date on local and international retail trends and anticipate changes

• Apply above in decision making o Identify competitors, monitor their activities closely

• Drive appropriate and effective testing of concepts and product

Requirements

• Diploma or Degree in Business Management, Supply Chain, Retail Management, Finance or related field.

• 5 years' experience as a Demand/Merchandiser Planner

• Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency in MS Excel and planning tools (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JDA, or similar).

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic and analytical thinking

• Data-driven decision making

• Collaboration and communication

• Time management and prioritization

• Adaptability and problem-solving