Senior Merchandise Planner: Data-Driven Stock & Growth

Humankind Group; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Humankind Group is seeking a Mid Planner to drive merchandise planning, stock optimization and profitability. You will work with Buying, Merchandise, Retail Operations, Finance and Supply Chain to ensure optimal product availability and investment across stores and channels.

The role requires strong data skills, advanced Excel, and a proactive approach to improve planning processes and performance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Commerce, Retail Management, Supply Chain, Statistics or Economics is required.
• Minimum 5 years in merchandise or retail planning in a commercial environment.
• Proven experience managing category plans and inventory investment.
• Retail experience is essential.
• Strong forecasting, stock analysis and planning skills.
• Advanced Excel and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage annual, seasonal and monthly merchandise plans.
• Forecast sales and demand using historical data and current trading.
• Set and monitor sales, stock, margin and inventory targets.
• Optimize stock turns, sell-through and weeks of cover.
• Identify slow-moving or obsolete stock and reduce excess.
• Analyze category performance and identify opportunities/risks.
• Prepare planning reports, dashboards and forecasts for management.
• Provide insights and recommendations from data analysis.
• Guide junior Planners and support capability development.
• Drive continuous improvement in planning processes.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Forecasting

Stock analysis

Excel

Reporting

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Mentoring juniors

Problem solving

Retail experience

Education

Degree in Commerce or related field

Tools

Excel

Merchandise planning systems

Job description

Humankind Group is seeking a Mid Planner to drive merchandise planning, stock optimization and profitability. You will work with Buying, Merchandise, Retail Operations, Finance and Supply Chain to ensure optimal product availability and investment across stores and channels.

The role requires strong data skills, advanced Excel, and a proactive approach to improve planning processes and performance.