Junior Planner

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

Behavioral Competencies:

·      A
customer-focused
mindset

·      Strong
strategic and critical thinking

• C
  ollaboration and teamwork
• Results-oriented
  approach
• Innovative thinking
• Accountability and ownership
• High levels of
  learning agility
• Proven
  stakeholder management
  and
  negotiation skills
• Strong
  risk management
  capabilities
• Excellent
  interpersonal skills
• Decisiveness
  and the ability to make timely, well-informed decisions
• A
  pro-active approach
• Commitment to delivering quality and detail-oriented work
• Adherence to principles and values
  , with integrity and professionalism
• Outstanding
  planning and organising
  skills
• A
  commercial mindset
  , with a focus on business profitability and success
• Exceptional
  networking and relationship-building
  abilities
• The ability to
  adapt and respond effectively
  to change in a dynamic retail environment

Duties:

Annual fiscal plan (budget) and conceptualisation 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
  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 optimise 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 capitalise 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 reviews (and before buying decisions are being made) so as to influence strategic decisions
• Input into buying decisions provided
• Supplier presentations attended in order to gather information / to enhance understanding of the bigger picture
• Validity of variances - adherence to buying plans ensured
• Stock levels managed through stock balancing, cancellations, and rolling stock
• Sales and stock re-forecasted weekly based on current performance / fashion/ testing
• Timeous reaction to good/bad trends, sales and missed opportunities in order to maximise stock turn and profitability
• OTB filled appropriately i.e. lost sales, over trading, etc.
• Ad hoc analysis for strategic direction
• Markdowns identified and costed in accordance with current trading conditions

Operating & Financial Results

• Accuracy of allocations
• Timeousness of allocations and deliveries
• Performance and size accurately reflected in allocation to stores
• Store stock balancing
• Individual store performance
• Replenishment products
• In stock of key identified items
• Sales and growth
• Gross profit
• Margin – effective margin and retail price combination
• Markdown (moving average)
• Stock levels / stock on hand
• Stock turn
• Stock flow
• ROII
• OTB control
• Markdown control

Store visits and feedback and competitor analysis

• Frequency
• Quality of feedback
• Implementation of observations
• Appropriateness of actions

Effective Cross-functional team communication

·      Work closely with all the relevant departments / team members

·      Timeous communication of relevant information

·      Professional and cooperative relationships

·      Issues raised and addressed timeously to ensure no surprises

·      Transparency

External customer & supplier relations - Supplier delivery and profitability management

• Supplier ranges reviewed
• Professional and respectful relationships
• Deliveries controlled and monitored and penalties enforced
• Continuous liaison with suppliers to ensure timeous delivery
• Supplier profitability (mark-downs; margin; sales performance) analysed and managed
• External relationships enables achievement of objectives
• Builds mutually rewarding relationships with key customers and suppliers through understanding and meeting their needs

Planning, Objective Setting & Operational Performance Monitoring

• Define and communicate clear plans, objectives, priorities, performance targets, timeframes, and standards to the team
• Develop plans that are realistic, accurate, and achievable, ensuring alignment with broader business goals
• Ensure plans are developed in a timely manner and updated as needed
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify variances promptly
• Investigate, rectify, and communicate reasons for performance deviations and variances