Merchandise Planner

Pepkor Lifestyle; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Pepkor Lifestyle in Sandton, South Africa is seeking a detail-oriented Merchandise Planner to forecast inventory, manage budgets, and drive profitability through data-driven planning.

You will build seasonal and in-season plans, analyze sales trends, collaborate with buying, product development and marketing, and ensure accurate inventory levels and KPI dashboards. This role offers growth within a dynamic retail team in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 2+ years in merchandise planning or inventory in retail.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• Experience with JDA or Retalon is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop seasonal and in-season merch plans aligned to goals.
• Analyze sales, trends, and history to forecast demand and pricing.
• Collaborate with buying, product development, and marketing.
• Monitor inventories to optimize sales and reduce obsolescence.
• Create reports and dashboards on KPIs.
• Participate in vendor meetings for timely replenishment.
• Develop promotions and markdowns for slow-moving stock.
• Conduct regular inventory audits for accuracy.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Collaboration

Fast-paced

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

JDA

Retalon

Job description

Introduction

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Merchandise Planner to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for retail and a strong understanding of sales trends and consumer behavior. The Merchandise Planner will be responsible for forecasting inventory needs, managing budgets, and maximizing profit margins through effective planning and analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Developing pre-season and in-season merchandise plans that align with company goals and objectives


• Analyzing sales data, market trends, and historical performance to forecast product demand and pricing strategies


• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including buying, product development, and marketing, to ensure merchandise plans are executed effectively


• Monitoring and adjusting inventory levels to optimize sales and minimize excess or obsolete inventory


• Creating reports and dashboards to track key performance metrics and make data-driven decisions


• Participating in vendor meetings and negotiations to ensure timely and cost-effective inventory replenishment


• Developing promotional strategies and markdown plans to drive sales and clearance of slow-moving inventory


• Conducting regular inventory audits and reconciliations to ensure accuracy and compliance with company policies

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in retail management, merchandising, business administration, or a related field


• 2+ years of experience in merchandise planning or inventory management in a retail environment


• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel and data analysis tools


• Excellent communication and collaboration skills


• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment with tight deadlines


• Experience with merchandise planning software (e.g. JDA, Retalon) is a plus


• Previous planning experience within the Accessories, Office Luggage, Office Automation category will be advantageous

If you are a proactive and results-driven individual with a passion for retail and a keen eye for detail, we invite you to apply for the Merchandise Planner position. Join our team and help us achieve our business goals through effective merchandise planning and analysis.