Merchandise Planner

**Purpose of the Job**:
The purpose of the Merchandise Planner role is to develop and execute a product strategy, in partnership with the Buyer and Departmental Management, to ensure increased sales, improved margins and maximum profit gain. The role formulates and manages the quantitative aspects of product procurement from budget to execution stage, while ensuring effective stock management in order to maximise sales and optimise stock levels. The Merchandise Planner role further identifies out of line situations and trends by conducting ongoing analyses and proposing feasible business solutions and plans.

**Job Objectives**:
Perform pre-budgeting merchandise performance analyses for the area of responsibility, by analysing the current performance against budgeted values including sales, stock levels, margin, and stock return. Investigate over and under performance to identify opportunities for improvement. Set the merchandise budget for the financial year and obtain authorisation for the proposed budgeted values. Work alongside the Buyers in the creation of balanced assortment plans by analysing the selected items and quantity per item ordered to ensure sufficient quantities per branch. Review and manage branch clustering on an ongoing basis, by performing turnover and demographic analyses to ensure correct clustering. Review and maintain the branch item ranging on an ongoing basis to ensure the availability of balanced ranges at store level. Manage the execution of the approved budget for the financial year for the area of responsibility. Perform ongoing analyses throughout the financial year to identify out of line situations and propose corrective action. Manage item life cycle and collaborate with Buyers for the discontinuation of 'end of range' items. Manage, maintain and ensure accurate customer demand forecasts through incorporating current and accurate market information. Analyse post promotional and event data to determine opportunities and improve future forecasts. Assist and support with internal projects and tasks as business demands and needs requires. Perform ongoing engagement with the Store and DC Replenishment team to ensure that the current approved Merchandise Strategy is executed throughout the supply chain.

**Qualifications**:
Degree or Diploma in Business, Economics, Supply Chain or a related field - (essential).**
Experience**:
Experience in a planner role with demonstrable knowledge and experience managing a sizeable planning portfolio within a large retail organisation - (essential). SAP Retail / Buying experience - (desired). Arthur / Enterprise Planning experience - (desired)

**Knowledge and Skills**:
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