Job Openings at Barron

Purpose 

• The Merchandise & Commercial Analyst is responsible for providing advanced analytical, planning, and commercial support across the merchandise value chain. The role ensures that the right products arrive at the right time, in the right quantities, and at commercially viable margins.
• It combines merchandise planning, data analytics, and commercial deal support (indent and non-stock) to drive profitable business outcomes and operational efficiency.

Roles and Responsibility 

Merchandise Planning & Analysis

• Analyse sales, stock, margin, ageing, and performance trends to inform decision-making and category plans
• Build and maintain forecasting models, replenishment logic, and inventory recommendations
• Track sell-through, stock turn, promotional performance, and intake alignment to plan
• Support the end-to-end merchandise cycle from product ordering to warehouse delivery

Commercial & Indent Deal Support 

• Prepare, cost, and structure indent and non-stock quotations for Sales
• Evaluate margin, pricing, and profitability implications for special deals and customer projects
• Provide commercial scenarios (cost, landed cost, GM%, selling price) to support deal closure
• Validate commercial viability and ensure alignment to timelines and supply chain capability

Reporting & Data Management

• Produce accurate, timely reports (Excel, BI tools) for trade, stock, risk/opportunity, and margin performance
• Maintain large datasets with a high degree of accuracy and analytical interpretation
• Present insights clearly to stakeholders across Merchandising, Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Partner with Merchandising/Buying on range performance, forecasting, and intake schedules
• Work closely with Sales on special deals, pricing rationale, and commercial approvals
• Engage Supply Chain to manage lead times, delivery dates, and stock availability
• Liaise with Finance on margin, pricing, and cost accuracy

Minimum Requirements

• NQF 7 - Finance/ Economics/ Retail Management/ Supply Chain / Logistics
• 3+ years Data Analytics Experience 
• 5+ years Solid understanding of retail/merchandise math's (margin, mark-up, sell-through, turn, pricing).
• 5+ years merchandise planning cycles, procurement timelines, and demand forecasting.
   

go to method of application »

JOB PURPOSE

• The purpose of the Planner is to forecast product needs based on sales histories and develop a product line plan that assures the profitability of a product category. 

JOB OBJECTIVES

Forecasting and budget management

• Accountable for planned revenue, forecast as well as achieving set budget by reviewing product lines and product line productivity, ensuring that there are enough items per product line to meet targets, suggesting items for last buy, identifying redundant stock as well as products for promotion.
• Responsible for Managing New Product budget, by making sure that new product presented by Buyer does not exceed budget.
• Monitor and show responsibility on achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) (i.e., sales plan, gross profit, cost reductions, stock turns, and closing stock).  Assess and highlight areas of positive performance and identify areas where improvement is required, and implement appropriate action for their area of control
• Management of product line per category
• Responsible for managing the current stock on record and product life cycle by conducting research, analyzing consumer trends, looking for opportunities within Barron competitors as well as working with the Buyer to develop features in existing products to suit specific target markets.
• Stock Management according to sales
• Plan stock level requirements according to forecast and budgeted stock turns
• Manage clearance at appropriate times
• Assess performance weekly of SKU's and manage stock levels up and down in order to meet required sales
• Analyse and evaluate Key Performance Indicators (i.e., sales plans, cost reductions, forward covers, Chain Sales to Stock Ratio (CSS) and stockturn). Consider trends, supplier efficiency and lead times when under their area of control reviewing recommendations

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Qualification

• NQF 7: Degree in Finance/ Economics / Supply Chain Management

Knowledge

• Financial Modelling
• Forecasting and Product management
• Product Cycle Management
• Data management
• Financial Acumen
• Merchandise Cycle
• Managing Budgets
• Range Construction

Experience

• Product Planner 3-5 Years
• Wholesale or retail experience 3-5 years
• Experience with financial forecasting of a product range 2-3 years

Skills

• Excel - advanced
• Powerpoint
• Financial Analysis
• Attention to detail
• Communication
• Microsoft D365
• JustEnough
• Research skills
• Verbal comprehension
• Numerical Comprehension
• Analytical Reasoning

Competencies

• Analysis and Judgement
• Initiative and Responsibility
• Organisational Awareness
• Systematic Approach
• Results and Goal orientation