Merchandise Planner - FMCG or Retail

Recruiter:

Sandi Crowther Recruitment

Job Ref:

DUR003600/LC

Date posted:

Monday, May 4, 2026

Location:

Southgate, South Africa

SUMMARY:

Johannesburg South, Gauteng

Excellent opportunity exists with national suppliers of stationery and gifting products to major retail chains for an analytical thinker with a Commerce Degree in Finance or Business and at least 5 years experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or financial analysis within a retail environment.

POSITION INFO:

This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a high-performing, growth-driven business. You’ll play a key role in planning, analysis, and inventory strategy across multiple product categories, ensuring profitability and efficiency across all retail channels.

What You’ll Do:

Planning and Analysis

Develop and manage detailed sales, margin, and inventory plans by category and season

Monitor performance, identify trends, and conduct deep-dive analyses on product, promotion, and seasonal performance

Deliver regular business reviews to senior leadership, highlighting risks and opportunities

Inventory Management

Lead open-to-buy planning to balance stock levels and avoid over-/under-stocking

Oversee allocation, replenishment, and liquidation strategies

Collaborate with buying teams on initial assortments and seasonal strategies

Forecasting and Reporting

Use data and trends to build accurate sales and inventory forecasts

Create dashboards and reports to track KPIs and business health

Leverage planning tools (Syspro knowledge a plus) to streamline forecasting

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance to align on strategy, stock, and promotions

Influence assortment decisions and vendor partnerships with data-backed insights

Requirements:

A tertiary qualification in Commerce, Finance, Business, or similar

Minimum 5 years' experience in merchandise planning, inventory, or retail financial analysis

Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with planning software

BI tool experience such as Power BI, Tableau is strongly preferred

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills

Excellent communication and presentation abilities

Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable to a fast-paced environment

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