Senior Planner- Exact

TFG Limited; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

TFG Limited in South Africa seeks a Planner III to mentor the Merchandise Planning Team, project future sales across key categories, and optimise planning processes to deliver growth.

You will manage range assortments, store-level distribution with the Buyer and Allocator, and drive stock efficiency through Open‑to‑Buy and demand alignment. The role requires strong Excel skills, analytical insight, and strategic, hands-on execution across trading decisions.

Qualifications

• Minimum Matric qualification with a Degree or Diploma in Business or related field.
• At least 3 years’ experience in retail apparel merchandise planning.
• Strong MS Excel skills for planning, analysis, forecasting, and reporting.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to proactively drive trading decisions through trend analysis and performance insight.

Responsibilities

• Drive product efficiencies and key commercial measures including sales, margin, markdowns, inventory levels, and stock turn.
• Manage Open‑to‑Buy (OTB) for in‑season and forward budgets, ensuring disciplined stock and margin control.
• Manage delivery performance and stock flow to ensure alignment with demand.
• Conduct regular store visits to build deep understanding of store performance and customer behaviour.
• Operate with a trader mindset, balancing risk and opportunity to maximise sales, margin, and stock efficiency.
• Develop strategic, tactical, and operational category plans to achieve financial and stock targets.
• Manage range assortments and store‑level distribution in partnership with the Buyer and Allocator.

Skills

Analytical Processes

Commercial Acumen

Contract Management

Customer Service Delivery

Planning & Organising

Policy & Procedures

Market Research and Analysis

Requirements Analysis

Global Sourcing

Strategic eCommerce

Education

Degree or Diploma in Business or related field

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

The Planner III is responsible for mentoring the Merchandise Planning Team, projecting future sales into key categories, and optimizing planning processes. This includes managing range assortments and replenishment, implementing distribution strategies, and providing guidance and support to team members.

Responsibilities

• Drive product efficiencies and key commercial measures including sales, margin, markdowns, inventory levels, and stock turn
• Manage Open‑to‑Buy (OTB) for in‑season and forward budgets, ensuring disciplined stock and margin control
• Manage delivery performance and stock flow to ensure alignment with demand
• Conduct regular store visits to build deep understanding of store performance and customer behaviour
• Operate with a trader mindset, balancing risk and opportunity to maximise sales, margin, and stock efficiency
• Develop strategic, tactical, and operational category plans to achieve financial and stock targets

Manage range assortments and store‑level distribution in partnership with the Buyer and Allocator

Qualifications

• Minimum Matric qualification with a Degree or Diploma in Business or related field
• At least 3 years’ experience in retail apparel merchandise planning
• Strong MS Excel skills (advanced) for planning, analysis, forecasting, and reporting
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to proactively drive trading decisions through trend analysis and performance insight

Skills:

• Analytical Processes
• Commercial Acumen
• Contract Management
• Customer Service Delivery
• Planning & Organising
• Policy & Procedures
• Market Research and Analysis
• Requirements Analysis
• Global Sourcing
• Strategic eCommerce

Behaviours:

• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in adaptability, decision making, interpersonal relations, problem solving, teamwork & written communication
• Comfortable and effective influencer.
• You need to be flexible as the environment is very dynamic and priorities can change.
• Sets ambitious goals and takes focused action to achieve desired outcomes to deliver measurable results
• Adapts effectively to situations that are complex, uncertain, or lack guidelines and clear information
• Interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
• Assesses and improves the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of various work processes
• Develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives
• Effectively adjusts their behaviour, approach, and decision-making based on the situation
• Thinks and plans strategically, focusing on the long-term goals and objectives of the organisation

Preference will be given but not limited to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act

Required Skills

• Analytical Processes
• Commercial Acumen
• Inventory Management
• Negotiation
• Numerical Skills
• Planning & Organising
• Presentation Creation
• Presentation Delivery
• Pricing Concepts & Methods
• Project Management
• Review & Reporting

About Us

Who we are is because of our people. They are our greatest asset. TFG is an internationally diversified retail portfolio of 34 speciality lifestyle and apparel brands that Inspire our Customers to live their Best Lives and are woven into the lives of millions. Our vision is to create the most remarkable omnichannel experiences for our customers. TFG is more than a workplace, it's a launchpad for your growth. Join us and explore endless growth opportunities across our diverse brands. We’re a purpose-led business, and on this team, you’ll share the pride of making an impact across a whole industry.

We’re the designers, the makers, the shakers and the teams behind the scenes.

Are you with us?

About the Team

Exact offers great value everyday essentials and is renowned for its trend-appropriate range of quality, well‑priced contemporary fashion for the whole family.