Senior Planner - Fabiani at TFG (The Foschini Group)

Job Description

• The Planner III is responsible for mentoring the Merchandise Planning Team, projecting future sales into key categories, and optimizing planning processes. This includes managing range assortments and replenishment, implementing distribution strategies, and providing guidance and support to team members.

Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:

• Drive product efficiencies and key commercial measures including sales, markdowns, inventory, and sales margin
• Develop category strategic, tactical, and operational plans to achieve set targets
• Manage range assortments and store‑level distribution in partnership with the buyer
• Oversee replenishment of key lines to ensure optimal stock availability
• Manage OTB allowances for both in‑season and forward budgets
• Attend product launches, buying appointments, and seasonal range selections throughout the year
• Analyse weekly sales performance with the buying team and propose actionable trading strategies
• Prepare and present weekly, monthly, seasonal, and annual performance in trade and senior management meetings
• Report on performance, initiatives, and operational plans to management
• Foster strong collaboration across Buying, Planning, Marketing, VM, and Operations
• Influence and implement change initiatives to support company goals and improve planning performance
• Drive allocation and grading strategy in collaboration with the allocator
• Manage delivery performance and stock flow
• Propose and execute markdown strategies
• Conduct regular store visits with cross‑functional teams to understand customer and product performance

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Business, or a related quantitative field
• At least 5 years’ proven experience as a Planner within retail apparel, with strong understanding of merchandising and commercial performance
• Menswear experience highly advantageous
• Experience working with premium branded apparel preferred
• Strong background in merchandise financial systems; experience with Arthur Planning or similar planning tools is advantageous
• High degree of numeracy with an analytical, detail‑oriented, and strategic approach
• Exceptional analytical and forecasting skills
• Strong numerical acumen and commercial mindset
• Solid business acumen with demonstrated negotiation and decision‑making capability
• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with strong teamwork and collaboration ability
• Computer literacy in Excel, Power Point and Outlook

Skills: 

• Strong business acumen and merchant thinking
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills
• Proven decision-making ability
• Analytical Processes 
• Planning & Organising 
• Policy & Procedures 
• Market Research and Analysis 
• Supplier Management 
• Strategic eCommerce 

Behaviours: 

• Establishes and nurtures internal and external relationships in order to create robust, and mutually beneficial, partnerships
• Effectively works with others to achieve shared goals
• Understands, anticipates, and meets the needs and expectations of customers
• Takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
• Effectively influences others by gaining support and commitment in the delivery of organisational goals and objectives
• Develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives.