Merchandise Planner

RecruitMyMom; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A national retailer is looking for a Merchandise Planner to join their team in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town. This role involves planning and forecasting, stock performance management, and cross-functional partnership to ensure optimal stock availability. Candidates should have 3-5 years of experience in merchandise or inventory planning, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in tools like Excel and Power BI. This position offers a competitive salary and significant career growth within a dynamic team.

Benefits

Competitive package

Strong career growth opportunities

Qualifications

• 3–5 years’ experience in merchandise or inventory planning within retail or FMCG.
• Proven analytical skills and proficiency in Excel and Power BI.
• Experience with ERP systems (ideally Trader or similar).

Responsibilities

• Build detailed sales, stock, and margin plans by supplier.
• Analyze supplier and store performance to optimize stock turn.
• Work closely with Buyers and Finance to manage stock effectively.

Skills

Analytical skills

Numeracy skills

Attention to detail

Customer focus

Commercial curiosity

Education

Bcom or similar

Postgraduate qualification

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Trader ERP

Job description

Northern Suburbs, Cape Town, South Africa | Posted on 12/11/2025

• Salary R25 000 - R36 000 CTC depending on experience
• Remuneration Term Per Month
• Date Opened 12/11/2025
• State/Province Western Cape
• City/Town Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
• Country South Africa

Job Description

Are you a numbers-driven, commercially curious planner who thrives in a fast-paced retail environment? A medium-sized, national retailer with a fun, energetic culture is looking for a Merchandise Planner to join their growing team at their head office in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town. You’ll be the analytical backbone of the Merchandise team, driving smarter stock decisions, maximising profitability, and keeping the product flow finely tuned.

You’ll be joining a young, vibrant, and ambitious team that loves collaboration, creative thinking, and getting stuck in to make things happen. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone ready to take ownership, partner closely with Buyers, and play a pivotal role in shaping product performance and profitability across multiple suppliers and categories.

Responsibilities

• Planning & Forecasting — Build detailed sales, stock, and margin plans by supplier. Use Trader ERP, Netstock, and Power BI to forecast demand, manage replenishment, and track open-to-buy (OTB). Present monthly performance reviews — highlighting wins, risks, and recovery plans.
• Stock & Performance Management — Analyze supplier and store performance to optimise stock turn and sell-through. Recommend actions on product mix, phase-ins, and exits. Monitor stock aging and markdown exposure — and act fast to correct course. Support Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) reporting and insights. Partner with suppliers on promotional planning and stock health.
• Cross-Functional Partnership — Work closely with Buyers, Finance, E-Commerce, and Store Ops to ensure the right stock is in the right place at the right time. Provide clear, data-backed insights to guide commercial decisions. Participate in agile process reviews to refine accuracy and speed. Use automation and analytics to make smarter, faster decisions.

Requirements

• 3–5 years’ experience in merchandise or inventory planning within retail or FMCG (non-negotiable).
• Bcom or similar and ideally a Postgrad qualification is required
• Numeracy skills, switched on, tech savvy and attention to detail
• Proven analytical skills and proficiency in Excel and Power BI.
• Experience with ERP systems (ideally Trader or similar).
• Confidence interpreting data and presenting actionable insights.
• A balance of commercial curiosity and hands-on drive.
• You’re not just a planner — you’re a doer, thinker, and collaborator. You embody:
• Customer focus: You understand the person behind every purchase.
• Accountability: You own your numbers and your results.
• Energy: You bring enthusiasm and a proactive mindset to the team.
• Innovation: You love data but think creatively.
• Growth mindset: You’re always learning, improving, and stretching yourself.

Creative team

Competitive package and strong career growth opportunities within a national brand