Junior Planner

3 weeks ago


Wynberg, South Africa Queenspark Full time

**JUNIOR PLANNER**

**Reporting to**:Divisional Director Planning

**Qualifications**: Grade 12, A bachelor’s degree in retail management, supply chain, or commerce would be advantageous.

**Experience**: 2- 3 years ‘experience in a fashion retail head office environment in a junior planner role.

**Technical Skills Required**:

- Strong **Numerical and Analytical Skills**:

- In-depth **Planning System Knowledge** with experience in retail planning and allocation.
- Proficiency in **Retail Formulas and Calculations**:

- **Advanced Proficiency in MS Office,** including Excel and Presentation Skills
- **E-Commerce Knowledge** to manage online inventory, product availability, and fulfillment strategies.
- **Supply Chain Awareness,** including stock replenishment, lead times, and vendor coordination.
- Hands-on experience with **ERP Planning Tools, Inventory Management Systems**, and **Merchandise Tools.**:

- Proficiency in **Product Lifecycle Management**:

- Strong **Financial Acumen**:

- Advanced **Reporting Skills**, with the ability to create detailed performance and forecasting reports.
- Knowledge of **Fashion Trends and Customer Behavior**

**Duties**:
**Annual fiscal plan (budget) and conceptualization of range by price and quantity**
- Develop and manage the **annual fiscal plan (budget)**:

- **Analyse historical data** and incorporate insights into the product plan to ensure informed decision-making.
- Conduct a **SWOT analysis** of the previous season (UDA) to identify opportunities for improvements and adjustments in the new season’s product range
- Review and revise **store performance**, considering factors such as location, demographics, and sales, to update and improve **store plans** and **grading**:

- Analyse and revise **size curves** to align with customer preferences and ensure effective stock management
- Create and manage **product grids** to optimize assortment planning and ensure alignment with the business strategy
- Develop and manage **buying plans** and **shopping lists**, ensuring they are aligned with the annual budget and market trends
- Provide a **clear understanding of the target market**, ensuring the product range aligns with customer preferences and expectations
- Conduct **accurate trend analysis** to identify and capitalize on upcoming fashion trends, ensuring a competitive product offering
- Consider **sales and profit margins**, incorporating **markdown strategies** and **moving averages** to enhance profitability and ensure the right stock levels

**Season / Quarterly / Strategic plan for approval at assortment stage**:

- Develop and present the **seasonal, quarterly, and strategic plans** for approval at the **assortment stage**.
- Effectively **translate product plans into figures**, ensuring alignment with business objectives and financial targets.
- **Present figures** clearly and accurately, providing comprehensive insights for decision-making.
- Collaborate with the **buyer** to create an **effective range** (UDA), ensuring a balanced and profitable assortment.
- Ensure a **balanced range** by adhering to the **seasonal plan** and adjusting based on performance and market changes.
- Demonstrate a **strong understanding of the target market**, ensuring that the range meets customer needs and expectations.
- Conduct **accurate competitor trend analysis** to stay ahead of market trends and competitor offerings.
- Develop and manage **buying plans**and **shopping lists,** ensuring the product range aligns with business goals and customer demands.
- Create and execute a **comprehensive markdown strategy** to manage inventory effectively and maximize profitability.
- Set and monitor **overall department performance plans** and objectives, tracking progress and making adjustments as necessary.

**Store Plans, Size Ratio, Store Grids and Inflow Plans**
- Realistic parameters used to calculate lost sales, list and delist products
- Realistic range variety within a sub-department determined per store
- Season curve anomalies analysed
- The size curve for a store on sub-department or category level determined based on historic sales
- Appropriate styles selected for sales history analysis (using size profiling module)
- Size curve anomalies analysed
- Size ratios per store fed into grids to determine buying ration per style
- Using the correct parameters used to create a grid
- Decisions on number of styles justified in a logical manner; store optimums revisited
- Inflows timed to improve stock turn without losing sales
- Timing of variety within all stores balanced
- Timing of inflows support themes/stories within and across departments

**Implementation (Product management, Application of the buying plan e.g. OTB and assortment in season trading)**
- Product life cycles managed through monitoring average sell-off per week
- Reasons for product performance analysed and used in decision making
- Recommendations, based on thorough analysis, voiced at SWOT and range r