Retail Demand Planning & Allocation Specialist

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:
Our client, an established retail leader known for its extensive store network and dynamic product categories, seeks a dedicated Retail Demand Planning & Allocation Specialist to join their team. This role offers significant responsibility in shaping demand forecasts, optimizing stock levels, and supporting strategic decisions across the business. Duties: Build and maintain rolling 52-week forecasts at SKU, category, and store\/cluster levels using Netstock, BI tools, and historical sales data Develop baseline, seasonal, and event-based forecasts for key retail periods such as back-to-school, Christmas, and peak seasons Collaborate with Category Managers to model demand trends and anticipate supply constraints based on supplier intelligence Generate demand scenarios for new ranges, promotions, and assortment adjustments to inform merchandising strategies Lead monthly Demand Review meetings with Retail Merchandising, Planning Managers, and Category Managers, incorporating insights from operations and supply chain teams Identify forecasting risks early, escalating issues to senior management for prompt resolution Set and review inventory parameters including min-max levels, safety stock, and reorder points to optimise stock across branches Oversee allocation runs and auto-replenishment rules, ensuring stores receive appropriate stock based on demand and capacity Monitor weeks of cover (WOC) and adjust replenishment strategies proactively to meet targets Manage stock levels to prevent overstocks and aged inventory through markdowns, SKU rationalization, and inter-branch transfers Support promotional planning by modeling performance uplift and preparing buy quantities Post-event, analyse forecast accuracy to foster continuous improvement and reduce margin leakage Maintain and enhance data integrity within Netstock and forecasting tools Prepare comprehensive dashboards on stock availability and coverage for ongoing monitoring Ensure alignment of master data with space capacity, product hierarchy, and planogram assumptions Conduct regular audits to uphold data quality for forecasting and allocation accuracy Coordinate with cross-functional teams through Sales & Operations Planning meetings to ensure cohesive planning Support strategic initiatives via ad-hoc analysis, investigating demand anomalies and supply disruptions Requirements: 3-5 years of solid experience in demand planning, forecasting, or allocation within a multi-store retail environment Proficiency with inventory management systems such as Netstock or similar tools Strong experience with BI tools like Power BI or Tableau Knowledge of retail categories such as stationery, FMCG, apparel, or lifestyle goods Proven ability to build and maintain accurate forecasts at SKU, category, and store levels Analytical mindset with a focus on data-driven decision-making Excellent tools and systems knowledge for demand and inventory optimization Nice to Have: Experience working within fast-paced, multi-category retail environments Familiarity with space planning, category management, and planogram processes Exposure to strategic inventory and supply chain initiatives This role is a full time office based role in Germiston. If you are ready to leverage your skills in a challenging and rewarding role that offers scope for growth and impact, we invite you to submit your application.