Merchandise Planner - FMCG or Retail at Sandi Crowther Recruitment

• Excellent opportunity exists with national suppliers of stationery and gifting products to major retail chains for an analytical thinker with a Commerce Degree in Finance or Business and at least 5 years experience in merchandise planning, inventory management, or financial analysis within a retail environment.
• This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a high-performing, growth-driven business. You’ll play a key role in planning, analysis, and inventory strategy across multiple product categories, ensuring profitability and efficiency across all retail channels.

What You’ll Do:
Planning and Analysis

• Develop and manage detailed sales, margin, and inventory plans by category and season
• Monitor performance, identify trends, and conduct deep-dive analyses on product, promotion, and seasonal performance
• Deliver regular business reviews to senior leadership, highlighting risks and opportunities

Inventory Management

• Lead open-to-buy planning to balance stock levels and avoid over-/under-stocking
• Oversee allocation, replenishment, and liquidation strategies
• Collaborate with buying teams on initial assortments and seasonal strategies

Forecasting and Reporting

• Use data and trends to build accurate sales and inventory forecasts
• Create dashboards and reports to track KPIs and business health
• Leverage planning tools (Syspro knowledge a plus) to streamline forecasting

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Merchandising, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance to align on strategy, stock, and promotions
• Influence assortment decisions and vendor partnerships with data-backed insights

Requirements:

• A tertiary qualification in Commerce, Finance, Business, or similar
• Minimum 5 years' experience in merchandise planning, inventory, or retail financial analysis
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with planning software
• BI tool experience such as Power BI, Tableau is strongly preferred
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable to a fast-paced environment