Job Description

Our client in the Retail Industry requires the services of a Junior Merchandise Planner to join their product team to develop and implement merchandise financial plans to optimise sales growth and merchandise profitability.Key performance areas:

• Development of the businesses planning function and associated processes to support ongoing merchandise profit growth and team alignment across merchandise strategic plans
• Prepare timely merchandise category budgets values that support the brands product and retail plans
• Work alongside the product team to create a balanced assortment buying plan that supports category financial plans and ensures sufficient in branch option availability across categories
• Prepare analysis and lead timely merchandise performance reviews to identify and act upon opportunities and interventions for positive performance improvement
• Maintain category monthly financial plans that supports financial targets, trading trends and optimises performance. Ensure required resultant interventions from plan updates are communicated and actioned.
• Manage item life-cycle stages with the product and retail teams to ensure appropriate buying quantifications and discontinuation strategies are implemented.
• Monitor merchandise systems including sales and inventory data to ensure accuracy of reporting and interpretation thereof
• Effective communication and interpersonal impact to ensure broader team clarity and alignment around the merchandise planning objectives, inputs and outcomes.
• Assist and support with internal projects and tasks as business demands and needs requires.

The successful candidate must have:

• Matric with a relevant tertiary degree
• Minimum of 4 years experience in a planner and / or relevant buying role
• Strong knowledge and experience across buying, supply-chain and retail processes
• Proven knowledge and experience across merchandise budgeting and dynamic forecasting, including replenishment and planning methodologies
• Proven knowledge and experience across merchandise assortment and range plan development
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills with strong data handling capabilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 with an advanced level of Excel skills
• Valid Driver license

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Careers24