Merchandise Planning Manager

HuntWave Technologies; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion retail company is seeking a Merchandise Planning Manager to drive planning, forecasting, and profitability optimization across categories in Cape Town, South Africa. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in merchandise planning within fashion/apparel retail and a strong analytical background. This role requires a tech-oriented individual who is comfortable with AI-powered systems and has insight into emerging markets. Lead initiatives while collaborating with various teams to ensure optimal inventory and pricing strategies.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in merchandise planning, buying, or allocation in fashion/apparel retail.
• 2+ years in management with high-growth retail experience is a strong plus.
• Strong quantitative skills with experience in planning tools and BI platforms.

Responsibilities

• Build seasonal and in-season merchandise strategies across categories and markets.
• Use technology and forecasting models to optimize inventory across stores.
• Adapt demand forecasts to reflect the realities of emerging markets.

Skills

Analytical Strength

Tech Orientation

Emerging Market Insight

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Leadership

Tools

SQL

Python

Job description

About the job Merchandise Planning Manager

Our Clientis reimagining fashion retail in emerging markets. They are a venture-backed company on a mission to build the worlds leading AI-powered off -price retail business, starting in Africa and scaling globally. They use cutting-edge AI and technology to reinvent off-price retail: predicting demand, optimizing pricing, and managing inventory flows with precision. By combining sharp fashion curation with data-driven decision-making, Our Client delivers unbeatable value for customers while unlocking new opportunities for suppliers worldwide. Our Client is Africa's fastest-growing fashion company, and this is just the beginning.

We are seeking a Merchandise Planning Manager to own and scale merchandise planning across categories, geographies, and channels. This role sits at the intersection of analytics, technology, and commercial instinct. You will drive planning, forecasting, and profitability optimization using both retail expertise and AI-powered tools unique to Our Client. Operating with high autonomy, you will partner with Buying, Supply Chain, Data, and Finance to ensure we consistently deliver the best assortment at unbeatable value to customers.

Key Responsibilities

Merchandise & Financial Planning

• Build seasonal and in-season merchandise strategies across categories and markets.
• Develop Open-to-Buy (OTB) frameworks that align with growth, margin, and cash flow targets.
• Partner with Buying to guide assortment breadth, depth, and timing.

AI-Powered Inventory & Allocation

• Use technology and forecasting models to optimize inventory across stores, online, and markets.
• Apply AI-driven allocation strategies to maximize sell-through and minimize markdowns.
• Collaborate with pricing and data science teams to refine dynamic pricing and markdown strategies.
• Own margin planning and KPI tracking, ensuring profitability goals are consistently achieved.

Market-Specific Forecasting

• Adapt demand forecasts to reflect the realities of emerging markets (seasonality, income cycles, consumer behavior).
• Identify opportunities for fast pivots, cross-market transfers, or opportunistic buys.

What Were Looking For:

• Experience: 8+ years in merchandise planning, buying, or allocation in fashion/apparel retail. 2+ years in management with high-growth retail experience is a strong plus.
• Analytical Strength: Strong quantitative skills with experience in planning tools, BI platforms; SQL/Python a plus.
• Tech Orientation: Comfortable working with AI-powered planning and forecasting systems.
• Emerging Market Insight: Intuition for consumer dynamics, supply chain realities, and retail opportunities in fast-growing markets.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Thrives in ambiguity, works autonomously, and moves quickly to capture opportunities.
• Leadership: Able to influence across functions and drive initiatives with impact.