Senior Merch Planner Mr Price Sport at Mr Price Group

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Mr Price Sport team is looking for a Senior Planner to join the dynamic Fitness Apparel team. 

The role is all about maximising sales and gross profit by creating the financial plan and executing the seasonal strategy, aligned with divisional strategy. Not in it alone as there is collaboration with buying and location planning to deliver an assortment based on history, current trade and future trends whilst effectively managing the inventory. We also need someone who loves to provide guidance and mentorship for others in Planning as they will lead a small team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Post Mortem & Seasonal Strategy

• Analyse the performance of portfolio and/or department compared to plan for the season, current trade, product performance, supplier performance, market activity and missed opportunities to draw lessons to apply to future seasonal strategy. 
• Collaborate with other relevant teams to maximise previous seasons learnings. 
• Develop and present a seasonal product strategy for portfolio and/or department to achieve department targets, in line with Company strategy. 

Assortment Planning

• Prepare and present a balanced product assortment plan for portfolio and/or department in collaboration with Buying and Location Planning team in line with seasonal strategies to meet department review plan targets. 
• Collaborate with Location Planning with the store perspective. 
• Verify that all KPI’s, width & depth, PMO & sales targets are aligned and consistently flowed through the season & across store profile.

Forecasting Stock and Stock Management

• Ensure that orders are placed within specific timelines and with strategic suppliers in order to meet demand as predetermined in the strategy and review process. 
• Develop an accurate sales forecast (One Liner), in order to determine optimal stock levels for the purpose of maximising revenue and gross profit for portfolio. 
• Manage and update forecasting and replenishment tool. 
• Review and adapt PIS (Put into stock) based on external factors.
• Adjust forward order book, in reaction to current trade and customer demand, through considering promotional mark downs, promotions or product presentation strategies. 
• Track and manage the ageing of stock in line with strategy and KPIs.

Current Trade

• Analyse the current season’s trade continuously to ensure that it is executed according to strategic targets and budget. 
• Review portfolio and/or department performance for related period for all KPI's. 
• Make appropriate trade decisions and take action to optimise opportunities in trade, minimise risk and manage stock levels. 
• Collaborate with Location Planning to identify store opportunities and agree an action plan.
• Communicate any changes from current trade to management and any other impacted departments and ensure a current trade report is completed. 
• Conduct store and competitor visits to analyse and compare current trade and product assortments.

Team Leadership

• Lead team in developing, building and executing a cohesive, well balanced product planning strategy and reacting to current trade. 
• Ensure workload is effectively distributed, create opportunities for two-way communication and address any team dynamic or engagement concerns. 
• Identify and address training needs, provide effective feedback, coaching & development to create a high performance team and build succession.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• A relevant tertiary qualification – BCOM Finance, Accounts, Supply Chain, Economics, Commerce.

Experience

• 5 + years of relevant Merchandise Planning / Retail Planning experience.
• Mentoring and development experience.

Knowledge/Skills

• Numeracy and Analytical skills. 
• Business strategy, retail market & industry knowledge, including economic understanding of supply & demand. 
• Deep functional expertise in merchandise and location planning. 
• Computer literacy and experience with retail systems. 
• Communication and Presentation skills. 
• Detail oriented. 
• People Management skills.
• Merchandise and business processes, including stores and Distribution Centre
• Commercial acumen and understanding of customers' needs.