Planner - Volpes at TFG (The Foschini Group)

Job Description
Key Responsibilities:

Product and Order Management

• Ensure timeous placement of Replenishment (RPL) and Fashion orders onto the system
• Sign off of all Orders
• Managing orders through the critical path process up until WH delivery
• DC RPL Optimization
• Managing and processing of Raw Material to Suppliers where applicable

Strategy and Assortment Planning

• Prepare a detailed SWOT analysis and Key Lessons Learnt (KLL) - planning templates
• Prepare a detailed financial review of commodity performance across all KPIs
• Prepare budgets for the next season across all key KPIs considering buyer feedback on product shifts / trends
• Summarise strategic intent and include any new opportunities
• Consider Company direction and guidelines in your strategy preparation (topline growths, inflation etc)
• Analysis of past and current assortments across all key attributes highlighting shifts, missed opportunities and areas of improvement
• Work with the buyer to understand newness, core / RPL updates and market trends
• Consider store performance - missed opportunities, down trending areas and store profiles
• Prepare next season assortments rolling up to topline that will deliver sales and margin targets
• Present detailed merchandise strategy and assortment plan summaries

Planning

• Develop a Merchandise plan by commodity for sales, margins, discount etc. for a Fin Yr
• Influence and implement the merchandise strategy
• Capitalize on opportunities for sales growth as well as stock turn / cover and inventory improvement
• Work closely with the buyer across all stages of the retail cycle to plan, review and trade to achieve set budgets
• Monitor weekly / monthly review of actuals against plan and re-forecasting
• Compile weekly critical path management reports and feedback on proposed action in trade meetings
• Controlling of OTB against plan and trade
• Preparation of products for campaign / promotion launches with buyer
• Loading of SKUs for campaigns / promotions
• Weekly update of RPL SKU forecast and reacting where necessary 
• Regular meetings with factory / suppliers to discuss forecast 
• Weekly management of the stock fulfilments through the DCs 
• Manage flow of stock into the business to support the required sales targets 
• Monitor RPL product performance to take appropriate action 
• Highlight poor product performance (P and D) and take appropriate action in consultation with buyer 
• Identify potential business risks (overselling, underselling, overstock, margins). Propose corrective action and execute timeously

Analysis and Reporting – Trade 

• Preparation of weekly / monthly trade reviews (template) - planning specifics 
• Preparation of Campaign reviews (template) - planning specifics 
• Analyse and feedback on store product performance reporting at monthly trade meetings

 Stores 

• Management of store assortment to style stock ideals based on store profile 
• Ensure balanced assortment offering across store profiles 
• Store stock management by profile Communication and Relationships 
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of the merchandise strategy 
• Management of communication with stores and field 
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure an effective and efficient supply chain 
• Maintain effective supplier relationships

Qualifications and Experience:

• A relevant Tertiary qualification
• Proven working experience as a Planner and/or Industrial Engineer in either a logistics or similar environment (3 - 5years essential)

Skills

• A high degree of numeracy and an analytical, detailed and strategic approach to work
• In-depth knowledge of the planning process in manufacturing or Logistics environment
• Computer literacy in word, excel and knowledge of “Fast React” will be an added advantage
• Category management
• Strong business acumen and continuous improvement thinking
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Proven decision-making ability
• Strong affiliation to systems, utilising them to increase productivity in line with the manufacturing strategy
• The ability to influence and work with internal stakeholders as well as external business partners with a strong
• focus on alignment across the various areas and teamwork