Category Planner

Job Description

Category planners play a pivotal role in the success of any business that has its roots in the retail industry.

In the case of DotActiv, they help us to transform the in-store experiences of our customers, drive sales and profit, analyse and profile clusters as well as use this information to recommend a customer-centric assortment plan to our customers.

With a starting Cost to Company of between R15k and R20k per month, we're searching for people who value strategic planning, problem-solving, customer satisfaction, and working in an innovative environment.

Who Is DotActiv?

DotActiv has been a core part of category management for the past 25 years. The idea behind category management is straightforward: it's the process used to manage product categories to deliver value to shoppers in a bid to increase both the sales and profit for a retailer.

Our history dates back to when we launched as a Category Management consultancy. We became the first company to establish a formalised and collaborative management process between a retailer and supplier when we signed Pick n Pay as a client.

In , when we relaunched under the name of DotActiv, we became the first company to create a data-driven category management system. Today, we have more than retail professionals using our planogram software in over countries.

Role Type

On Site, Full time.

Location: Midrand

What You Can Expect From This Job

As a Category Planner working at DotActiv, your responsibilities will include:

1. Creating strategic assortment plans;
2. Designing data-driven floor space plans;
3. Planning and building data-driven shelf plans;
4. Conducting floor and space plan analytical reviews;
5. Developing optimised cluster plans per product category using the cluster optimizer and maintenance tools in the DotActiv software;
6. Analysing the cluster plan and profiling each cluster to deliver strategic insights to clients;
7. Maximising customer and category performance by considering category strategies and plans, product financial performance, shopper psychology and aesthetic appeal;
8. Supporting, advising and guiding retail customers where required.

You'll have access to DotActiv's all-in-one category management software to complete all of the above.

Requirements Skills And 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 license and vehicle are a requirement 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.

Knowledge and 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 will be provided).

Soft Skills

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

- Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data analysis techniques in 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 a busy environment;

- Naturally calm while having a strong sense of urgency and being detail-oriented;

- Team player;

- Versatile for participation in other activities;

- Adaptable to change as different product categories present different challenges and opportunities.

Commitment To Balance Out DotActiv's Investment

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.

Benefits

As our vision clearly states, we aim to exceed the expectations of our staff. Here's what you can expect from DotActiv when joining the team as a Category Planner:

• Cost to Company of between R15k and R20k, depending on your qualifications and experience;
• Guidance, support and training from your line manager;
• Transparent job grading system;
• Developmental path specific to your circumstances, allowing you to track your progress.