Durban: Merchandise Planner

About the Role

The Merchandise Planner will play a crucial role in driving business growth by optimizing inventory management, analyzing sales performance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless supply chain operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Item unit Planning: Overall management and utilization of inventory procurement plan by chain
• Track weekly sales performance and make adjustments to sales, forecast receipts and markdowns as needed
• Review item plans (forecasted sales and inventory) with Buyers and suppliers to ensure product availability
• Work with Buyers to develop consensus on forecast sales
• Provide Buyers with promotional forecast for input into ROI and marketing submissions
• Replenishment / Allocation Order and manage inventory investments according to OTB
• Analyze and determine allocation methods for items (Supplier to DC or Direct to Store)
• Maintain and execute vendor orders to ensure proper flow of product from supplier to all stores/DC
• Works directly with suppliers sharing orders
• Maintain the supplier/category ordering calendar
• Analyze store and DC inventory and in-stocks
• Collaborate with stores and marketing team to develop specific allocation segmentations
• Collaborates with Sales and Operation Team, Logistics Team to address supply chain and system issue
• Assortment Planning: Work directly with Buyers to ensure that assortment plans and item eligibility directly coincide with replenishment plans
• Validate presentation minimums to ensure enough inventory is available to support periodic events like end caps and feature space
• Financial Analysis, Pricing / OTB Planning: Responsible for maintaining financials including Open-to-Buy planning based on the inventory procurement plans
• Analyze sales data to identify key performance drives of sales performance and opportunities for expansion
• SKU/Product/System Management: Consistently evaluate SKU count to ensure dominance of best-selling products and optimal range
• Liaise with Buying team on system maintenance updates and changes, which include Marketing/ Advertising & Promotions
• Partner with the Buyers and Marketing team to review promotions and proofs all advertising before release
• Process catalogues and insert submissions on the system
• Track sales on advertised material and report to respective teams
• Communicate all promotions related activity to store teams

Requirements

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
• Proficient in inventory management systems and software
• Strong understanding of sales data analysis and market trends
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field

Qualifications

• Formal education/certifications not specified