Strategic Merchandise Planner

TFG (The Foschini Group); Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

TotalSports in South Africa seeks a Planner II to influence and implement the brand’s merchandise strategy. They manage financial and strategic aspects of products, range planning, replenishment, distribution strategy, and communication with stores and field teams to drive performance.

The role requires 5–8 years of planning experience, retail knowledge, and strong Excel/MS Office skills, with a focus on delivering growth across brands.

Qualifications

• Diploma, Graduate Degree, or Post Graduate Degree in relevant field.
• 5-8 years of proven Planner experience; sports/branded goods is a plus.
• Understanding of the retail cycle and planning process.
• Good working knowledge of software packages including Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Influence and implement merchandise strategy; manage financial and strategic aspects of products.
• Handle range assortments and replenishment.
• Communicate with stores and field teams.
• Develop promotional and range distribution strategies; analyse store profiles and sales trends.
• Ensure product planning and control; provide insights to improve performance.
• Drive product efficiencies and key measures – sales, markdown, inventory, margins.
• Develop category strategic, tactical, and operational plans to meet targets.
• Manage range assortment at store level with the buyer.
• Replenish key lines; manage OTB in-season and forward budgets.
• Attend product launch appointments; review weekly sales with buying team.
• Present performance in trade meetings; report initiatives to management regularly.
• Collaborate across buying, planning, marketing, VM and operations.
• Drive change to achieve company goals; allocate and grade strategies with allocator.
• Delivery management and markdown proposals.

Skills

Analytical Processes

Commercial Acumen

Contract Management

Customer Service Delivery

Planning & Organising

Policy & Procedures

Market Research and Analysis

Supplier Management

Requirements Analysis

Global Sourcing

Strategic eCommerce

Education

Diploma, Graduate Degree, or Post Graduate Degree in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

TotalSports in South Africa seeks a Planner II to influence and implement the brand’s merchandise strategy. They manage financial and strategic aspects of products, range planning, replenishment, distribution strategy, and communication with stores and field teams to drive performance.

The role requires 5–8 years of planning experience, retail knowledge, and strong Excel/MS Office skills, with a focus on delivering growth across brands.