Merchandising Planner

SUMMARY:
Our client in the FMCG industry is recruiting for a Merchandising Planner. Salary is market related. R400 000 - R500 000 pa ctc depending on experience.

POSITION INFO:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Tertiary qualification in business, Finance, Merchandising, or a related field.
5 or more years of experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or financial analysis within a retail environment
Proven track record of achieving financial targets and optimizing inventory.
Strong proficiency in retail planning software and advanced excel skills
Experience with business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) is a plus.


MAIN JOB FUNCTIONS:
PLANNING & ANALYSIS:
Develop and manage top-down and bottom-up financial plans (sales, margin, inventory, open-to-buy) by category, sub-category, and season, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
Monitor and analyze business performance against plans, identifying trends, opportunities, and risks.
Conduct comprehensive post-mortem analyses of key assortments, promotions, and seasons to inform future strategies.
Prepare and present weekly, monthly, and seasonal business review to senior leadership.


INVENTORY MANAGEMENT:
Manage the open-to-buy process to ensure optimal inventory levels, minimizing overstocks and out-of-stocks.
Oversee the allocation and replenishment strategies to maximize sales and inventory efficiency across all channels.
Develop and implement inventory liquidation strategies for clearance and aged inventory.
Collaborate with the buying team on initial assortment buys and
seasonal planning.

FORECASTING & REPORTING:
Develop accurate sales, inventory, and markdown forecasts using
historical data, market trends, and promotional calendars.
Create and maintain detailed reports and dashboards to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide actionable insights.
Utilize planning software and tools to enhance forecasting accuracy
and efficiency – Syspro understanding would be an advantage

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION:
Partner closely with the Merchandising/Buying team to develop seasonal strategies, identify product opportunities, and manage vendor relationships.
Collaborate with Marketing to align promotional strategies with inventory availability and financial goals.
Work with Operations/Supply Chain to ensure timely delivery of goods and efficient inventory flow.
Interface with Finance to ensure financial plans are aligned with broader company financial objectives.


WORKING CONDITIONS:
Primarily office-based with occasional travel to stores, distribution centres, or vendor meetings as required.
May require extended hours during peak seasons or critical business periods