Central Planning Analyst: Product at Ackermans

JOB PURPOSE:

• To add value to the Company in driving product profitability, by providing exceptional Merchandise insights to relevant stakeholders and to govern and support the Company merchandise plans in line with the Merchandise Strategy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Governance of Company Product Plans
• Reviews market share data and provide insights.
• Provides input into 5-year company plans (Pre-Season)
• Provides visibility of all KPI's impacting the proposed plan
• Reporting on deviations (in season)
• Highlight risk and drift to our plans at seasonality level continually during merch cycle
• Tracks compound annual growth
• Highlighting calendar shifts to Business (weekly)
• Analysis and Merchandise Insights
• Providing accurate basket insights to all SBU's leading up to Strategic Intent upon request
• Analyze RLC data
• Provides insight to stakeholders to review and compare market sales (monthly)
• Provides insights on strategic initiatives Character
• Communicate effectively to influence Merchant teams based on insights gathered to ensure the Company merchandise strategy is impacted positively.
• Reporting
• Reporting monthly on Management pack
• Weekly Merchandise deck on product performance
• Adhoc reporting based on business need
• Communicate effectively to relevant stakeholders ensuring in line with Simplicity
• Continuously and creatively enhance the method of reporting to ensure we remain relevant to our internal Customer
• Governance of Planning processes and policies
• Maintaining product hierarchy and ensure compliance in line with the company naming policy  (Bi-annually and before strategic intent)
• To effectively govern, create and update product planning processes and polices across the merchandise divisions.
• Actively identifying and addressing pressure points in Company policies and processes.
• Identifying and documenting new planning processes and policies to ensure Governance

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential:

• A minimum of 3+ years of Product experience within a clothing retail environment
• Working experience in planning systems such as Merchandise Financial Plans
• Working experience in the latest Microsoft packages (Word, PowerPoint & Advanced Excel)

Preferred:

• Experience working in planning systems such as Assortment Planning, & and replenishment (2-3 years)
• Exposure to Business Intelligence Systems
• Exposure to Basket analysis
• Previous exposure to and understanding of logistics and supply chain processes

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Excellent numerical skills
• Analytical thinking & logical problem-solving skills
• Merchant skills & a sound commercial mentality
• Interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Planning, organising & time management skills
• Conflict resolution skills
• Create a shared vision and to positively influence others to make decisions
• Communicate effectively at all levels
• Be self-motivated/driven, take responsibility and have a sense of pride in one’s work
• Work independently, as well as be a team player
• Pay attention to detail
• Remain focused and flexible, function under pressure and maintain a positive attitude

The ability to be:

• Resilient, have tenacity and maintain high levels of drive and initiative under pressure
• Methodical, detail-orientated and accurate
• Assertive
• Deadline-orientated
• Proactive and use one’s own initiative

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Essential:

•  A Grade 12 Certificate/Matric
• B. Comm./ B. Science degree in Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Statistics and/or Business Science OR
• National Diploma majoring in Internal Auditing and/or Cost and Management Accounting OR
• National Diploma in Financial Information Systems OR
• National Diploma/ degree in Business/Retail/Merchandise Management or Accounting/Finance 

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of the Retail merchandise cycle in terms of Buying, Planning, Logistics and Stores
• Knowledge of the retail and merchandise planning processes
• Knowledge of seasonal & replenishment products
• Knowledge of the SA retail clothing market, customers, and competitors