central & location planning manager

If you're passionate about leading people, driving smart planning decisions, and seeing your work translate into real results across stores and countries, this role is for you Join us in leading a high-impact Central Planning team that keeps the business moving forward. Take the next step in your career and apply today

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: To lead a Central Planning team ensuring consistent, accurate and timely reporting of merchandise results, the development and improvement of planning business processes and managing the company's working capital according to agreed targets. To also lead the Merchandise Controllers who ensure the right stock goes to the right location at the right time while supporting and driving Country & Store performance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Central & Location Planning Strategy development, contribution & execution

● Provide input and contribute to the departmental strategy

● Ensure thorough research is established, presented and agreed on

● Communication & execution of subsequent action plans (i.e. specifications, timelines and budget)

● Strategic inputs per country are given

● Ensure continuous improvement of processes for Merchandise, Central & Location Planning

Central Planning management

● Ensure alignment across relevant departments

● Ensure accurate KPI sign off & FIN alignment within target

● Stock management review

● Manage markdown budget & markdown operation plan execution

● System administration

● Ensure sufficient operational support is provided to Merchandise Teams ○ PST Box

○ Merchandise Calendar maintenance

○ SOP's

○ Admin task & User processes

● Reporting

○ Ensure accurate and on-time report: Monthly, QT & YR

○ Report development & continuous improvement

○ Support the Business with more detailed reporting on KPI

○ Ad hoc reporting as requested from Executives

● Delivery of key Merchandise Projects in conjunction with Business Analysts - as set out at the beginning of the FIN year.

Location Planning management

● Distributions & Allocations by leading the Merchandise Controllers ensuring the right stock, to the right location at the right time.

● Drive & monitor KPI performance

● Monthly Performance Meetings

● Sign off on Allocation adjustments

● Sign off on manual distribution adjustments

● Weekly & Monthly Reporting

● Review & adjust Store Clustering

● Support Country Teams with operational requirements, stock request & performance data ○ STP Box

○ Country / GM monthly meetings

● Ensure accuracy of administrative task (ad hoc);

○ Store openings / closures

○ Deals admin

○ Holds & Store analysis ad hoc

Team management

● Establishes clear, specific and measurable objectives for the team and drives team delivery and contribution

● Motivates, inspires and builds team morale and culture by recognising and celebrating successes

Ad hoc projects

● Participate in ad-hoc projects when required

JOB REQUIREMENTS

● Relevant tertiary qualification

● 5+ years' experience in Planning (of which 2 years leading people)

● Retail experience essential

● Experience in Business Intelligence tool (BO) advantageous

● Understanding of Planning systems essential

● Knowledge of Warehouse Management System (WMS)

● Knowledge of Replenishment processes

● Computer Literacy: Advanced

● South African citizen

● Willingness to travel to African countries occasionally when required

Competencies required: Honesty; Passion & Resourcefulness; Solution orientation; Detail orientation; Planning, Organizing and Control; Service orientation; Stress tolerance; Confidence and decisiveness; Building and maintaining relationships, Ability to function independently and Excellent communication skills.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person