Retail Demand Planning & Allocation Specialist

Our client, an established retail leader known for its extensive store network and dynamic product categories, seeks a dedicated Retail Demand Planning & Allocation Specialist to join their team. This role offers significant responsibility in shaping demand forecasts, optimizing stock levels, and supporting strategic decisions across the business. Duties: - Build and maintain rolling 52-week forecasts at SKU, category, and store/cluster levels using Netstock, BI tools, and historical sales data - Develop baseline, seasonal, and event-based forecasts for key retail periods such as back-to-school, Christmas, and peak seasons - Collaborate with Category Managers to model demand trends and anticipate supply constraints based on supplier intelligence - Generate demand scenarios for new ranges, promotions, and assortment adjustments to inform merchandising strategies - Lead monthly Demand Review meetings with Retail Merchandising, Planning Managers, and Category Managers, incorporating insights from operations and supply chain teams - Identify forecasting risks early, escalating issues to senior management for prompt resolution - Set and review inventory parameters including min-max levels, safety stock, and reorder points to optimise stock across branches - Oversee allocation runs and auto-replenishment rules, ensuring stores receive appropriate stock based on demand and capacity - Monitor weeks of cover (WOC) and adjust replenishment strategies proactively to meet targets - Manage stock levels to prevent overstocks and aged inventory through markdowns, SKU rationalization, and inter-branch transfers - Support promotional planning by modeling performance uplift and preparing buy quantities - Post-event, analyse forecast accuracy to foster continuous improvement and reduce margin leakage - Maintain and enhance data integrity within Netstock and forecasting tools - Prepare comprehensive dashboards on stock availability and coverage for ongoing monitoring - Ensure alignment of master data with space capacity, product hierarchy, and planogram assumptions - Conduct regular audits to uphold data quality for forecasting and allocation accuracy - Coordinate with cross-functional teams through Sales & Operations Planning meetings to ensure cohesive planning - Support strategic initiatives via ad-hoc analysis, investigating demand anomalies and supply disruptions Requirements: - 3-5 years of solid experience in demand planning, forecasting, or allocation within a multi-store retail environment - Proficiency with inventory management systems such as Netstock or similar tools - Strong experience with BI tools like Power BI or Tableau - Knowledge of retail categories such as stationery, FMCG, apparel, or lifestyle goods - Proven ability to build and maintain accurate forecasts at SKU, category, and store levels - Analytical mindset with a focus on data-driven decision-making - Excellent tools and systems knowledge for demand and inventory optimization Nice to Have: - Experience working within fast-paced, multi-category retail environments - Familiarity with space planning, category management, and planogram processes - Exposure to strategic inventory and supply chain initiatives This role is a full time office based role in Germiston. If you are ready to leverage your skills in a challenging and rewarding role that offers scope for growth and impact, we invite you to submit your application.