Senior Homeware Planner – In-Stock & Forecasting Lead

takealot.com; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

takealot.com, South Africa's leading online retailer, seeks a Senior Planner (Homeware) to join the Buying team in Cape Town. You will oversee demand planning, budgeting, and inventory health, driving profitability and on-shelf availability across Homeware categories.

You will lead a team of buying assistants, partner with analytics and product teams, and deliver timely insights to inform commercial decisions. A strong background in retail planning and advanced Excel/SQL skills is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or advanced diploma in commerce, finance, mathematics or economics.
• Minimum 5 years retail planning experience.
• Proven track record in planning, inventory management and forecasting.
• Proven track record in spend management (OTB, margin management, markdown controls).
• Strong numerical and analytical aptitude; proficient in advanced models.
• Strong proficiency with analytical tools (Excel, SQL).

Responsibilities

• Oversee in-stock function including demand planning, ordering and capacity management.
• Deliver accurate insights and reports to inform revenue and margin plans.
• Create sustainable in-stock systems with central analytics and product teams.
• Plan procurement cycles including seasonality, promotions and replenishment.
• Own budgeting processes and quarterly reforecasts.
• Manage annual retail sales budget and category-level planning.
• Monitor inventory availability and health; optimize stock turns and markdowns.
• Drive process improvements and supplier-side efficiency to reduce costs and lead times.
• Lead a team of buying assistants and develop the team.
• Support operations to ensure an excellent customer experience.

Skills

Analytical aptitude

Advanced Excel

Forecasting

Inventory management

Budgeting

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma in Commerce, Finance, Mathematics or Economics

Tools

Microsoft Excel

SQL

Job description

takealot.com, South Africa's leading online retailer, seeks a Senior Planner (Homeware) to join the Buying team in Cape Town. You will oversee demand planning, budgeting, and inventory health, driving profitability and on-shelf availability across Homeware categories.

You will lead a team of buying assistants, partner with analytics and product teams, and deliver timely insights to inform commercial decisions. A strong background in retail planning and advanced Excel/SQL skills is required.