Senior Merchandising Planner

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 750,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus

Medical and retirement benefits

Staff discounts

Professional growth

Work-life balance

Job summary

Placements24 in Polokwane is seeking a Senior Merchandising Planner to forecast, plan, and allocate merchandise across product categories, optimizing sales and profitability.

You will collaborate with buying, marketing, and operations to ensure the right products are in the right places at the right times, using data-driven insights to drive inventory efficiency and strategic assortment decisions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in merchandise planning, allocation, or related retail role.
• Strong analytical and quantitative data interpretation.
• Proficient in merchandise planning software and advanced Excel.
• Understanding of retail math, inventory, and forecasting.
• Bachelor's degree in business-related field.
• Ability to collaborate across departments.

Responsibilities

• Develop seasonal and annual merchandise plans based on forecasts, market trends, and inventory goals.
• Plan and manage merchandise allocation to stores to meet sales and inventory targets.
• Analyze sales performance, inventory levels, and market data to identify opportunities and risks.
• Collaborate with the buying team to establish optimal product assortments and quantities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with store operations and visual merchandising teams.
• Create and present comprehensive merchandise plans and performance reports to senior management.
• Monitor and manage inventory flow, including transfers, markdowns, and clearance activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Ensure adherence to budget guidelines and financial targets for merchandise planning.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, competitor activities, and customer preferences.

Skills

Analytical skills

Quantitative skills

Excel

Merchandise planning software

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing/Statistics

Tools

Forecasting software

Inventory management systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading national retailer, is seeking a highly analytical and strategic Senior Merchandising Planner to join their team in Polokwane . This key role involves forecasting, planning, and allocating merchandise to optimize sales and profitability across various product categories. The Senior Merchandising Planner will work closely with buying, marketing, and retail teams to ensure that the right products are in the right place at the right time, meeting customer demand and maximizing inventory efficiency. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced planner to contribute to critical business decisions and shape the future of our product assortment. You will leverage data-driven insights to drive strategic merchandise planning for the Limpopo province and beyond, ensuring alignment with brand objectives and market trends.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute seasonal and annual merchandise plans based on sales forecasts, market trends, and inventory goals.
• Plan and manage merchandise allocation to stores to meet sales and inventory targets.
• Analyze sales performance, inventory levels, and market data to identify opportunities and risks.
• Collaborate with the buying team to establish optimal product assortments and quantities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with store operations and visual merchandising teams.
• Create and present comprehensive merchandise plans and performance reports to senior management.
• Monitor and manage inventory flow, including transfers, markdowns, and clearance activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Ensure adherence to budget guidelines and financial targets for merchandise planning.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, competitor activities, and customer preferences.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in merchandise planning, allocation, or a related role within the retail industry.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to interpret complex data.
• Proficiency in using merchandise planning software and advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent understanding of retail math, inventory management, and forecasting principles.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking abilities.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with diverse product categories is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Statistics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across different departments.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, reflecting the senior nature of this role. Employees receive comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, along with life insurance. Significant opportunities for professional growth, training, and advancement within the company are available. Generous staff discounts on our extensive product range are provided. You will be part of a collaborative and innovative team, working on impactful projects. Our client values employee well-being and offers a supportive work-life balance with ample paid time off. This is a strategic role with significant visibility and impact within the organization based in Polokwane .