Category Planner

Dotactiv (Pty) Ltd.; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail consultancy in Johannesburg is seeking a Category Planner to create strategic assortment plans and data-driven shelf plans. Candidates should have a degree in Consumer Science or Commerce and possess excellent analytical and communication skills. A driver's license is required, and the position offers a starting Cost to Company between R15k and R20k, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

Guidance and training from line manager

Transparent job grading system

Laptop allowance included in CTC

Qualifications

• A good understanding of English at a business proficiency level is required.
• 1 to 2 years of experience in a retail environment is advantageous.
• A valid driver's licence and vehicle are required.

Responsibilities

• Creating strategic assortment plans.
• Planning and building data-driven shelf plans.
• Conducting floor and space plan analytical reviews.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Customer satisfaction

Education

Consumer Science or Commerce degree

Tools

MS Office

Google G-Suite

Job description

Johannesburg, South Africa | Posted on 03/20 – Category planners play a pivotal role in the success of any business that has its roots in the retail industry.

With a starting Cost to Company between R and R per month, we are searching for people who value strategic planning, problem‑solving, customer satisfaction, and working in an innovative environment.

In the case of DotActiv, we help transform the in‑store experiences of our customers, drive sales and profit, analyse and profile clusters, and use this information to recommend a customer‑centric assortment plan to our clients.

Who Is DotActiv?

To explain who DotActiv is, it is first important to explore the topic of category management. Category management is a core part of our business and has been for the past 25 years. The idea behind category management is straightforward: it is the process used to manage product categories to deliver value to shoppers in a bid to increase both sales and profit for a retailer. In short, it is the science behind how retailers decide on which products to stock as well as how to organise these products in‑store so as to please their customers. Our history dates back to when we launched as a Category Management consultancy.

• When we became the first company to establish a formalised and collaborative management process between a retailer and supplier, we signed Pick n Pay as a client.
• When we relaunched under the name of DotActiv, we became the first company to create a data‑driven category management system.
• We have since expanded and evolved that system, and today we have more than retail professionals using our planogram software in over countries.

Role Type

On Site, Full time. Location: Midrand.

Responsibilities

• Creating strategic assortment plans.
• Planning and building data‑driven shelf plans.
• Conducting floor and space plan analytical reviews.
• Developing optimised cluster plans per product category using the cluster optimizer and maintenance tools in the DotActiv software.
• Analyzing the cluster plan and profiling each cluster to deliver strategic insights to clients.
• Maximizing customer and category performance by considering category strategies and plans, product financial performance, shopper psychology and aesthetic appeal.
• Supporting, advising and guiding retail customers where required.

Qualifications & Requirements

• A Consumer Science or Commerce degree or similar degree at a recognised and accredited university.
• A good understanding of English (you must be able to speak, read and write at a business proficiency level).
• While not required, 1 to 2 years of experience in a retail environment is advantageous.
• A valid driver’s licence and vehicle are required for this role as you may be required to travel on‑site to meet with clients.
• A working laptop – it is important that your laptop has Windows as our software is not supported with Mac PCs.
• We do offer a laptop allowance, included in the CTC.

Knowledge & Computer Skills

General retail business experience within a retail environment; understand the principles of category management and more specifically clustering and assortment planning (beneficial); understand the process of space planning and how this connects to clustering and assortment planning (beneficial); understand merchandising principles and techniques (beneficial); have the necessary product knowledge and understand product ranges; computer literate with special attention to: intermediate MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Google G‑Suite / Google Docs for business; understand the computer packages and systems currently used by DotActiv and customers (training provided).

Soft Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to use data analysis techniques and apply them to business situations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• High capacity to represent the DotActiv brand as a specialist.
• High degree of internal client engagement.
• Ability to multitask and work cross‑functionally.
• Ability to remain attentive in an often busy environment.
• Calm while having a strong sense of urgency and being detail‑oriented.
• Team player.
• Versatility to participate in other types of activities.
• Adaptability to change as different product categories present different challenges and opportunities.

Commitment

To balance out the investment of your three‑month training, we have attached a cost of training agreement. This means that you undertake not to resign for a period of three years from the date of your successful deployment. If this agreement is not upheld, you will be liable to repay the total actual value sponsored immediately on termination of service.

What You Can Expect From DotActiv

• Cost to Company between R15k and R20k, depending on qualifications and experience.
• Guidance, support and training from your line manager to ensure that you succeed as a category planner and can grow in your career at DotActiv.
• A transparent job grading system.
• A developmental path specific to your circumstances, allowing you to track your progress.