Merchandise Planner (“Planner”)

As we strive to be a First Choice Retailer, our allocation and distribution of New Goods to stores are crucial. This responsibility is entrusted with the group’s Merchandise Planners.

The planner’s responsibility is to analyse sales and stock, to predict customer demand and ensure the new good stock is in the right place (store), at the right time. Therefore, keeping Keyline and Catalogue availabilities to the set standards without over/under stocking a store (maintain max stock holding criteria).

This involve but is not limited to the review of historic trends, stock turns and managing the catalogue of individual stores to improve the store’s new good performance. The merchandise planner will be responsible for dedicated stores that are subject to change with business needs and requirements. In the absence of a team member, additional stores may be temporarily assigned to the merchandise planner.

A planner is expected to understand that retailers have peak trade periods and leave will be limited to outside these periods. Peak trade refers to, but is not limited to, October through December of each calendar year.

The result of executing this responsibility successfully will be a growing New Good Profit Centre.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain keyline and catalogue availabilities.
• Ensure the store stays within the maximum stock holding criteria.
• Compile and submit/ facilitate the submission of compliant orders within the communicated timelines.
• Advise on possible outdated maximum stock holding criteria.
• Compiling and examining relevant reports.
• Successful execution of promotional inserts.
• The planner is expected to identify any obstacles that will deter them from fulfilling their role efficiently and implement the necessary solutions. It is recommended that “new” initiatives are approved by a direct report, while existing solutions are implemented timeously with notification to the direct report.
• Ensure all complaints regarding the merchandising function are resolved If necessary, sufficient information should be communicated to the planner’s direct report to ensure the direct report can resolve the possible disagreement/ provide a valuable solution to prevent future grievances.
• Upholding key working relationships such as consulting with Franchisees, FDOs, OPS managers, to optimise the efficiency of stock allocation to stores. Collaborate with wholesale personnel to ensure timeous order Positively co-operate with any other stakeholder(s) of the business

Requirements:

• Ability to identify obstacles and implement the best solutions.
• Excel proficiency – intermediate
• National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6 national diploma or advance certificate.
• 2+ years’ experience in a planner/allocator/distributor or similar role
• Key analytical thinking
• Problem solving skills.

Desirable:

• Excel proficiency – advance
• National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7 national diploma or advance certificate. (Bachelor’s degree, Advanced Diplomas, Post Graduate Certificate and/or B-tech)

What We Offer:

• Market related/competitive salary based on qualification, experience and role.
• Medical aid contributions
• Retirement contributions