Retail Planner - Johannesburg at SMD Technologies

Purpose: 
To maintain an efficient inventory, anticipate market trends, collaborate effectively with retailers and the internal sales team, and ensure that SMD Technologies' products are presented in the best possible manner, thereby maximizing sales and profits. The primary goal of this role is to assist the internal sales team at SMD with obtaining Forecasts from the buyers, coordinating Promo plans, ensuring orders are sent through and received punctually, and striving to achieve a fill rate of 95% every week. Furthermore, the candidate will be stationed 2 days in Makro Head Office, 2 days in Game Head Office, and 1 day at SMD to relay feedback to the internal sales team or to receive pertinent information.

Key Responsibilities:

Inventory Management:

•  Oversee and manage inventory for both online and physical storefronts.
• -Develop and implement fulfilment strategies to ensure product availability aligns with customer and retailer demands.
•  Compile comprehensive inventory reports to monitor and manage stock levels.

Analytics and Forecasting:

•  Use available sales data to predict consumer behaviour and potential sales.
•  Analyse sales and profits by square foot and by product category.
•  Formulate initiatives for each retail space based on data analytics to maximize profits.

Product Display and Optimization:

• -Predict product demand and devise strategies for effective management.
• -Determine which products need to be included or excluded from the assortment matrix.

Demand Management:

•  Handle the demands for pre-season and seasonal sales, aiming for maximum profitability.
•  Collaborate with retailers and the internal sales teams to strike the right balance of products and ensure optimal displays in both online and brick-and-mortar stores.

Retail Reviews:

•  Regularly review retail planning for each store and provide detailed reports to management.
•  Offer insights and analysis on the current retail planning, highlighting successes, areas of improvement, and potential solutions.
• -Use information from these reviews to identify trends and formulate plans to achieve business objectives.

Trend Analysis and Strategy Development:

•  Stay updated on current market trends.
•  Incorporate industry knowledge into daily planning as well as into strategies aimed at long-term growth and market share expansion.

Communication and Collaboration:

• -Engage with retailers to ascertain their needs and ensure they are met.
• -Work closely with internal sales teams to align strategies and fulfil retailer demands.

Requirements:

•  Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, or a related field.
•  1-2 years experience in a similar role is required.
•  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
•  Proficient in inventory management software and tools.
•  Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration.
•  A deep understanding of the retail industry, its operations, and specifically how Massmart Holdings Limited operates.
•  Ability to think strategically and execute methodically.
•  Own transport is necessary.
•  Willingness to travel as required from time to time.
•  Proficiency in computer usage, especially with advanced Excel functionalities such as pivot tables, v-lookups, and intricate formulas.