Chief Executive: Planning at Ackermans

Job Advert    

• The Chief Executive: Planning will formulate and lead the merchandise planning strategy to deliver on the Ackermans strategic intent.
• The position is accountable for the full range of planning disciplines across the clothing, footwear and homeware product range, touching more than 1000 stores and millions of customers.   The ability to lead the planning team, work closely with cross functional teams and effectively interact at the strategic level with confidence, impact and influence are key attributes.
• As with all Ackermans positions, candidates will need to possess a value system that embraces our values, purpose and strategy, whilst demonstrating outstanding leadership skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Applicants for the position will need to meet the following minimum requirements:

• Minimum: 10 years of experience in the clothing retail industry, 3 years at executive / senior management level is preferable.
• Excellent leadership skills that demonstrate the ability to lead teams.
• Relevant tertiary qualification.
• Knowledge of the retail merchandise cycle with regards to Buying, Planning, Logistics and Stores
• Knowledge of planning strategies
• Understanding of total value chain from source to stores
• Understanding of retail business systems and related processes – familiarity with retail planning software and other tools used in merchandise planning and analysis.
• People management practices, policies & procedures
• A comprehensive knowledge/understanding of SA’s retail clothing market, customers, and competitors.
• Demonstrated business acumen and results/detail orientation supported by strong analytical ability.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English (written and verbal)
• Experience in the running and implementation of major business initiatives.

Key Responsibilities    
The main responsibilities of this executive position include:

• Design and implementation of planning strategy to support company strategy, stimulating sales and profit growth.
• Full responsibility of the planning function to always deliver functional KPI’s with strong leadership.
• Delivery of key performance areas e.g., stock management / turn, markdown, and discount policy, cashflow management, CODB management, purchasing mandates.
• Delivery of the functional budget.

Leadership of the full planning team.

• Delivery of technology and systems in support of enabling the merchandise team to deliver on their objectives.
• Governance, risk and regulatory requirement oversight and leadership.
• Customer, stakeholder, and supplier relationships.
• Structure, key processes, and role clarity; delivery of operational, process and systems excellence.
• Contribution and participation in executive team decision making.

Other    
We are looking for an individual who can: 

• Understand, analyse, and interpret various internal and external factors that may impact the portfolios success.
• Consistently and effectively communicate and address or resolve multiple complex, interlinked, issues fundamental to the successful execution of the job.
• Demonstrate the ability to build strong strategic and long-term relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead the people in the function using excellent interpersonal, leadership and team management skills. Enabling team cohesion, engagement, direction, and execution of responsibilities.
• Be a true Ackermans brand ambassador both in internal and external environments.
• Display excellent judgment, planning, organising, decision making and time management skills in a fast-paced working environment.
• Demonstrate resilience, tenacity and maintain high levels of drive and initiative under pressure.
• Influence strategic decision-making across various and diverse functional teams in the company, to formulate and execute a compelling business strategy.

Closing Date    
2023/05/26