Senior Planner: @Home Appliances 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

• To influence and implement the merchandise strategy and develop a Merchandise financial plan by commodity for sales, stock margins, GP, PIS, closing stock and markdown
• Ensure desired outcomes are achieved, i.e. the right stock at the right store at the right time
• Balance a complex set of variables on an ongoing basis to ensure the financial outcome is achieved
• Capitalizing on opportunities for growth as well as stock turn and inventory improvement
• Manage the stock fulfilment through the @home DC.
• Drive local sourcing, supplier stockholding and packaging to improve DC throughput
• To compile and produce reports to ensure visibility of correct information in order to take corrective action to maintain and/or improve profitability
• Identify potential business risks (overselling, underselling, overstock, buying margin) and proposing corrective action and ensuring execution thereof
• Communication with stores and field
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of the business plan and an effective and efficient supply chain

Qualifications

• A relevant Tertiary qualification 
• Proven working experience as a Senior Planner (3 - 5 years essential) 

Skills

• A high degree of numeracy and an analytical, detailed and strategic approach to work
• In-depth knowledge of the planning process in retail
• Computer literacy in word, excel and planning systems
• Category management
• Strong business acumen and merchant 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 merchandise 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 team work

Behaviours: 

• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in adaptability, decision making, interpersonal relations, problem solving, teamwork & written communication   
• Comfortable and effective influencer.   
• You need to be flexible as the environment is very dynamic and priorities can change.   
• Sets ambitious goals and takes focused action to achieve desired outcomes to deliver measurable results  
• Adapts effectively to situations that are complex, uncertain, or lack guidelines and clear information  
• Interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems  
• Assesses and improves the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of various work processes  
• Develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives  
• Effectively adjusts their behaviour, approach, and decision-making based on the situation  
• Thinks and plans strategically, focusing on the long-term goals and objectives of the organisation