Planner - RFO at TFG (The Foschini Group)

Job Description

• The Planner III is responsible for the financial and strategic management of product categories, driving sales performance, optimising inventory, and leading best‑practice planning across the business. The role plays a critical part in projecting future sales, shaping product strategy, and mentoring the Merchandise Planning Team to deliver commercial results aligned to the target market and business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Drive product efficiencies and key measures – sales, markdown, inventory, sales margin, including markdown proposal and action
• Developing category strategic, tactical, and operational plans to achieve set targets and be influential in the implementing of change to achieve company goals/objectives
• Mentor the Merchandise Planning Team and provide guidance and support to team members
• Project future sales into key categories, ensure effective sales projections, and optimise planning processes
• Management of range assortments at store level in conjunction with the buyer, including replenishment of key lines and manage range assortments and replenishment
• Manage OTB allowance both in-season and forward budgets
• Implement distribution strategies and drive allocation and grading strategy with allocator
• Attend all appointments relating to product launches and selection throughout the year as specified
• Analysis and review of previous week sales with the buying team, propose and drive actions for the week, and prepare and present performance in trade meetings
• Reporting on performance, initiatives and operational plans to management periodically (weekly, monthly, seasonally, and annually)
• Delivery management
• Team player and be able to foster collaboration across buying, planning, marketing, VM and operations functions, including regular store visits as a team

Qualifications

• Completed National Diploma or Degree 

Experience:

•  Must have a minimum of 3+ years’ experience as a Planner. 
• A strong interest in retail and sound knowledge of supply chain processes.
• Strong proficiency in MS Office including Excel
• Proven experience working with planning or retail systems
• Experience translating fashion and market trends into commercial, executable plans would be advantageous
• Retail experience transitioning into a Planning role would be advantageous, providing strong understanding of in‑store realities
• Fast fashion experience would be advantageous and well suited to a quick turn environment
• A strong understanding of fashion, trends, and the product lifecycle would be advantageous

Skills: 

• Analytical Processes 
• Commercial Acumen 
• Contract Management 
• Customer Service Delivery 
• Planning & Organising 
• Policy & Procedures 
• Market Research and Analysis 
• Supplier Management 
• Requirements Analysis 
• Global Sourcing 
• Strategic eCommerce 

Behaviours:

• Builds Networks - establishes and nurtures internal and external relationships in order to create robust, and mutually beneficial, partnerships
• Drives Results - sets ambitious goals and takes focused action to achieve desired outcomes to deliver measurable results
• Ensures Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
• Financial Acumen - understands and applies financial concepts and principles to make informed financial decisions
• Manages Complexity - interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
• Plans and Aligns - develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives
• Situational Adaptability - effectively adjusts their behaviour, approach, and decision-making based on the situation
• Strategic Mindset - thinks and plans strategically, focusing on the long-term goals and objectives of the organisation