Group Private Brand Planning Manager at Massmart

About the job
Summary:

• To ensure achievement of exceptional standards of governance, strategic positioning, brand management and market
• performance in designated Private Brand focus area (e.g. Shared PB, Walmart PB, Food Private Brand)

FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES:
Advanced SAP knowledge

• A working knowledge of SQL, Tableau.
• Advanced Excel (pivot tables, V-Lookups, PowerPivots, etc.)
• Experience in Data visualization, Data modelling would be beneficial.
• Understand data systems, sources, measures, and business calculations.
• To think and act strategically as well as tactically to gather data, deliver insights and effectively delivering projects on time.

OPERATIONAL EXECUTION

Budget governance

• Allocation and control for GPB internal and marketing budgets
• Alignment of budgets GBP strategic goals.
• Ensure that forecast are in line with financial requirements and business targets

Inventory

• Optimization and long term forecasts of group shared brand
• Streamlining of cross chain inventory opportunities
• Alignment of supply chain and continuance of aggregate demand mechanism
• Facilitation of cross chain stock transfers and inventory balancing
• Service level development

Budgeting

• Long term target setting for chains and brands
• Annual Chain and group based budget development
• GPB budget maintenance

Forecasting and monitoring

• Tracking of performance against targets
• Recalibration of plans where necessary to accommodate current trends
• Identification of gaps and opportunities against plan

Ranging

• Optimization analysis tool
• Gap opportunities across chains
• Common range governance
• Clearance notification and recommendation.
• Post seasonal analysis and range review assistance of GPB

Reporting

• Develop and manage GPB reporting including:
• Chain / brand performance
• Inventory optimization
• Service levels
• Working capital optimization
• Fact based analytics of past, current and potential risks that could impact sales and margin

Project optimization

• Strategize and implement measurement schedules and project plans for group shared brands
• Opportunity gap analysis
• Data cleansing and analysis on current brands / categories and future
• Relationship ownership status with 3rd party data mongers (GFK, Nielsen, etc.)

Performance Optimisation

• Analyze costs and forecasts toward providing accurate and informative PB business plan updates to merchant community.
• Analyze performance data toward identifying opportunities to improve PB focus area assortment including discontinuing underperforming SKU’s, innovating SKU specifications and launching new SKU’s.
• Present compelling fact based recommendations to merchant community to give effect to designated PB focus area improvement opportunities.
• Proactively track and manage approved Private Brand budget line items in designated PB focus area.
• Negotiate, track & ensure collection of monthly income for P&L & suspense accounts in designated PB focus area.
• To assist in driving performance so that financial targets and objectives are met.

Administration and Compliance Support

• To provide management with key financial information and insights to support and enable decision making in line with the strategy
• Provide an efficient administrative service that ensures professional and well informed reporting to and co-ordination of group-wide merchant community involved in delivering business plan and brand targets in designated PB focus area:
• Provide monthly brand performance analysis on sales, margin, volume, competitor activity and market risks.
• Provide input and analysis as required for forum reviews, buyer reviews and compliance reporting.
• Participate in category reviews, forums, agility groups, insights workshops and strategy workshops as required

Requirements:

Minimum Academic, Professional Qualifications & Experience required for this position

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree (Bcom / BSc - 3years), preference given to honors degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in retail
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills – minimum 3 year’s analytical experience.
• FMCG, strategic understanding of brands, understanding brand execution, category management, the workings of retail.