Head of Planning- Beauty at Woolworths

Job description
Develop and Execute Merchandise Financial Planning 

• Ensure objectives and KPIs are met including turnover growth, profitability, PIS, margins, stock turn 
• and clearance
• Manage and control merchandise, markdown and promotional budgets to achieve all KPI targets
• Utilize data analytics and market research to provide actionable insights for strategic decision making, identifying areas of improvement, growth opportunities, and market trends.
• Collaborate with the Commercial Head and 3rd party brands and private label strategy execution and implementation 
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, Store Operations, Marketing, Sourcing, and Finance to ensure effective merchandise planning co-ordination and execution.
• Collaborate and support the Commercial Head with financial strategies and analysis that drive a growth strategy and market share gains 

Identify and Execute Assortment Strategy 

• Formulate an assortment and 3rd party brands strategy across all channels for the relevant Group that is aligned to company direction to maximize sales and profitability.
• Evaluate with Commercial Head, the department assortment plan considering post-seasonal learnings and product strategies.
• Monitor brand, product and range performance, anticipate market opportunities and threats to drive appropriate team action.
• Apply attribute framework for disciplined trading analysis.
• Provide insights and recommendations based on qualitative and quantitative analysis at quarterly and seasonal reviews to affect future department architecture.
• Guide the planning team on managing 3rd party brands cost to catalogue, wedging of assortment and store depth

Support the planning team in execution of 3rd party brand strategies

• Develop and Execute Optimised Inventory Management 
• Control the open to buy and manage stock levels to agreed commitment targets throughout the supply chain 
• Efficiently manage intake, stock flow, allocation and replenishment to meet KPI’s
• Implement strategies for product availability, sizing and location optimization.
• Set markdown strategies aligned with KPI’s. 
• Oversee planning processes that facilitate and enable accurate sales and stock forecast in line with 

KPI’s to minimize aging of inventory. 

• Collaborate with Sourcing to ensure efficient inventory management in line with KPI’s
• Optimise in-season trading opportunities by reviewing actuals vs projected and adjusting forecasts
• Collaborate with 3rd party brands to support the planning team with on-time launches, inventory 
• management, RTV negotiations and stock swaps 

Team Leadership 

• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing planning team.
• Support training and adoption of planning systems and processes.
• Drive outcomes, leverage insight, empower talent, 
• Drive operational excellence, process optimisation, and employee engagement within planning and 
• cross-functional team.

Minimum requirements

• Relevant 3 year Degree/Diploma or equivalent cognitive ability
• 5-10years experience in retail industry, including time as a Planner, Buyer or Retail business 
• analyst is essential (beauty experience advantageous)
• Strong Leadership and team management skills, 2-3 years experience leading/managing people 
• Ability to drive operational excellence and process optimization
• Proficient in planning systems and technology
• Ability to travel both locally and internationally
• Strong understanding of Financial Planning, Inventory Management principles and techniques
• Demonstrated retail math, including markup, margin planning, and inventory productivity measures.
• Strong product sense with proven experience in driving product assortments and leading 
• merchandise strategies.
• Strong understanding of pricing strategies and price architecture 
• Knowledge and understanding of Supply Chain Management 
• Strong negotiation and collaboration skills 
• Understanding of 3rd party branded businesses 

Apply by: 16 June 2025