Senior Planner - RFO
The Planner III is responsible for the financial and strategic management of product categories, driving sales performance, optimising inventory, and leading best‑practice planning across the business. The role plays a critical part in projecting future sales, shaping product strategy, and mentoring the Merchandise Planning Team to deliver commercial results aligned to the target market and business objectives.
- Drive product efficiencies and key measures – sales, markdown, inventory, sales margin, including markdown proposal and action
- Developing category strategic, tactical, and operational plans to achieve set targets and be influential in the implementing of change to achieve company goals/objectives
- Mentor the Merchandise Planning Team and provide guidance and support to team members
- Project future sales into key categories, ensure effective sales projections, and optimise planning processes
- Management of range assortments at store level in conjunction with the buyer, including replenishment of key lines and manage range assortments and replenishment
- Manage OTB allowance both in-season and forward budgets
- Implement distribution strategies and drive allocation and grading strategy with allocator
- Attend all appointments relating to product launches and selection throughout the year as specified
- Analysis and review of previous week sales with the buying team, propose and drive actions for the week, and prepare and present performance in trade meetings
- Reporting on performance, initiatives and operational plans to management periodically (weekly, monthly, seasonally, and annually)
- Delivery management
- Team player and be able to foster collaboration across buying, planning, marketing, VM and operations functions, including regular store visits as a team
- Completed National Diploma or Degree
Experience:
- Must have a minimum of 3+ years’ experience as a Planner.
- A strong interest in retail and sound knowledge of supply chain processes.
- Strong proficiency in MS Office including Excel
- Proven experience working with planning or retail systems
- Experience translating fashion and market trends into commercial, executable plans would be advantageous
- Retail experience transitioning into a Planning role would be advantageous, providing strong understanding of in‑store realities
- Fast fashion experience would be advantageous and well suited to a quick turn environment
- A strong understanding of fashion, trends, and the product lifecycle would be advantageous
Skills:
- Analytical Processes
- Commercial Acumen
- Contract Management
- Customer Service Delivery
- Planning & Organising
- Policy & Procedures
- Market Research and Analysis
- Supplier Management
- Requirements Analysis
- Global Sourcing
- Strategic eCommerce
Behaviours:
- Builds Networks - establishes and nurtures internal and external relationships in order to create robust, and mutually beneficial, partnerships
- Drives Results - sets ambitious goals and takes focused action to achieve desired outcomes to deliver measurable results
- Ensures Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
- Financial Acumen - understands and applies financial concepts and principles to make informed financial decisions
- Manages Complexity - interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
- Plans and Aligns - develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives
- Situational Adaptability - effectively adjusts their behaviour, approach, and decision-making based on the situation
- Strategic Mindset - thinks and plans strategically, focusing on the long-term goals and objectives of the organisation
Preference will be given but not limited to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.