Merchandise Planner

Placements24; Kimberley; Remote; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Medical aid contribution

Retirement fund benefits

Career growth in retail planning

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a strategic Merchandise Planner to support remote operations across Kimberley markets. You will forecast demand, plan inventory, and optimize assortment, collaborating with buyers and allocation teams.

Proficiency in planning software (SAP, Oracle Retail, JDA) and Excel pivot tables is essential; a Bachelor's degree and familiarity with retail markets help. This role offers fully remote work and strong career growth within retail planning.

Qualifications

• Forecasting and inventory planning in retail.
• Strong analytical skills and retail math.
• Experience with planning software is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication and remote work capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop accurate sales and inventory forecasts for assigned product categories.
• Plan merchandise assortments and quantities to meet demand and optimize stock levels.
• Collaborate with buyers and merchandisers to align plans with the overall product strategy.
• Monitor sales performance, inventory levels and risks or opportunities.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, or related field

Analytical skills

Retail math

Forecasting

Planning software experience

Tools

SAP

Oracle Retail

JDA

Excel

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent retail group, is seeking a strategic and analytical Merchandise Planner to join their team remotely, supporting their operations which include stores in Kimberley, Northern Cape. This crucial role involves forecasting product demand, planning inventory levels, and optimizing product assortment to maximize sales and profitability. The ideal candidate possesses strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of retail mathematics, and proficiency in planning and forecasting software. You will work closely with buying, merchandising, and allocation teams to ensure the right products are in the right place at the right time. This remote position offers the flexibility to work from home while driving key decisions that impact the success of our client's merchandise across various regions, including the Northern Cape. We are looking for a data-driven professional with a passion for optimizing product flow and driving commercial success.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop accurate sales and inventory forecasts for assigned product categories.
• Plan merchandise assortments and quantities to meet demand and optimize stock levels.
• Collaborate with buyers and merchandisers to align plans with the overall product strategy.
• Monitor sales performance, inventory levels, and identify risks and opportunities.
• Analyze market trends and competitor activities to inform planning decisions.
• Manage inventory flow and distribution to ensure optimal stock availability across different channels.
• Utilize planning software and tools to create and maintain detailed merchandise plans.
• Participate in seasonal planning meetings and present merchandise strategies.
• Work towards improving key performance indicators such as inventory turn, GMROI, and sales margin.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration with all relevant departments, including those serving the Kimberley market.

Requirements

• Proven experience in merchandise planning, inventory planning, or demand forecasting within the retail sector.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in retail math and financial metrics.
• Experience with merchandise planning software (e.g., SAP, Oracle Retail, JDA) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions like pivot tables and VLOOKUP.
• Excellent understanding of the retail product lifecycle and supply chain.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex data.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote work environment.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy.
• Bailey's? Actually it's "Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, or a related field is preferred."
• Familiarity with the South African retail market, including regions like the Northern Cape, is an advantage.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering excellent flexibility.
• Opportunities for significant career growth within retail planning and merchandising.
• Access to advanced planning tools and technologies.
• Collaborative and supportive remote team environment.
• Medical aid contribution.
• Retirement fund benefits.