Planning Manager

Pepkor Speciality; Bellville (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CODE Support Office within our Planning Team is seeking a Planning Manager to lead end-to-end merchandise, location, and assortment planning to fuel CODE’s top-line sales and margin growth.

Reporting to the CEO, you will drive the planning strategy, lead a high-performing merchandising team, optimize supply chain velocity, and convert data insights into profitable retail execution across all store formats.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of merchandise planning experience in clothing/footwear retail.
• 2–3 years in Senior Management level.
• Proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets.
• Strong data interpretation and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Formulate seasonal merchandise, location, and assortment plans aligned to objectives.
• Drive net margin optimisation and accurate monthly forecasting.
• Lead seasonal range reviews with analytics, size curve optimisation, and critical path execution.
• Drive total stock turns across seasonal/non-seasonal apparel, footwear, and accessories.
• Execute markdown and clearance strategies to minimize aged/obsolete inventory and maximize cash flow.
• Manage closing stock on hand and ensure store allocation strategies reflect localized customer demand.
• Provide accurate, timeous merchandise planning reports and forecasts to optimise business opportunities and manage risk.
• Leverage data insights to proactively manage performance deviations and refine assortment depth.
• Recruit, coach, and develop a high-energy, empowered planning and allocation team.
• Collaborate closely with Buying, Marketing, Operations, IT, and Distribution Centers to ensure supply chain alignment.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Senior management

Cross-functional leadership

Stock turnover optimization

Retail analytics

Education

Degree in Merchandising or related

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

Retail planning systems

Job description

An exciting opportunity has opened up at the CODE Support Office within our Planning Team, and we’re looking for a Planning Manager to take our Legends to the next level!

The Planning Manager is strategically accountable for leading the end-to-end delivery and management of all business merchandise, location, and assortment plans that fuel CODE’s top-line sales, margin growth, and bottom-line profit objectives.

As a key leader reporting directly to the CEO, you will drive the overarching planning strategy, lead and empower a high-performing merchandise planning team, optimise supply chain velocity, and ensure accurate data insights transform into profitable retail execution across all store formats.

Qualifications

• Relevant Degree / Diploma in Merchandising, Retail Management, B.Comm, B.Sc, or Business Management.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• 5–8 years of merchandise planning experience in clothing/footwear retail, with at least 2–3 years at a Senior Management level.
• Strong experience in leading cross-functional strategic initiatives and driving stock turn optimisation.
• Extensive experience in retail planning systems and logistics workflow coupled with proficiency in either Excel or Google Sheets at an advanced level.
• Deep understanding of retail merchandise cycles, margin drivers, and local market trends.
• Ability to synthesise complex data into clear action plans and motivate team execution.
• Resilient, adaptable under pressure, and highly thorough with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills to build impactful relationships across Operations, Supply Chain, and Store teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate, deliver, and execute consolidated seasonal merchandise, location, and assortment plans aligned to business objectives.
• Drive net margin optimisation and accurate monthly forecasting to exceed target growth and profitability.
• Lead seasonal range reviews with robust supportive analytics, size curve optimisation, and critical path execution.
• Drive total stock turns across seasonal/non-seasonal apparel, footwear, and accessories.
• Execute clear markdown and clearance strategies to minimize aged/obsolete inventory and maximize cash flow.
• Manage closing stock on hand and ensure store allocation strategies reflect localized customer demand.
• Provide accurate, timeous merchandise planning reports and forecasts to optimise business opportunities and manage risk.
• Leverage data insights to proactively manage performance deviations and refine assortment depth.
• Recruit, coach, and develop a high-energy, empowered planning and allocation team.
• Cultivate a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and succession readiness.
• Collaborate closely with Buying, Marketing, Operations, IT, and Distribution Centers to ensure supply chain alignment.