Introduction

A leading fashion retailer is seeking an experienced, analytical and commercially focused Merchandise Planning and Inventory Lead to oversee merchandise planning, allocation and inventory management across its South African business.

The successful candidate will be responsible for translating strategic direction into effective assortment, buying, allocation and inventory plans across multiple channels. The role will work closely with Merchandising, Retail, Sales, Commercial, Finance, Inventory Management and Supply Chain teams to optimise product availability, sales, margin and inventory productivity.

This is a high-impact role combining individual contributor responsibility for the Retail channel with team leadership responsibility across Wholesale, Allocations and Inventory Management Planning. The successful candidate will lead a team of three and play a key role in driving inventory KPIs, improving forecasting accuracy and ensuring the optimum product assortment across the business.

Description

• Manage and develop a team of three supporting Planning and Allocation activities across South Africa.
• Drive inventory management KPIs, including EOP, stock turns and ageing inventory targets.
• Drive execution of the planned assortment at store level, ensuring availability of planned PC9s.
• Define unit requirements to support sales plans.
• Maintain and align the buy budget with the affiliate, reconciling PC9 counts against available store space.
• Ensure high productivity per store through effective allocation management.
• Ensure initial merchandise is aligned with the agreed plan and actively manage stock throughout the season.
• Partner with Merchandising and Retail teams to define the optimum assortment required to achieve sales plans by Planning Group and Segment.
• Partner with Merchandising to support AUR growth and improve assortment profitability.
• Validate option counts against best-practice visual merchandising requirements and store capacity.
• Review size offerings and size shares to minimise stock-outs and optimise sales.
• Work closely with Finance and Commercial teams to establish category mix, AUR and revenue targets.
• Maintain accurate item plans within agreed forecast accuracy targets.
• Drive supply and demand reconciliation with Inventory Management and Finished Goods Planning teams.
• Support internal Keep/Drop decisions in line with factory MOQ requirements.
• Validate and manage SRT/AGR requests and related processes.
• Ensure sizing accuracy within override profiles and drive quick resolution of sizing-related reports and issues.
• Proactively manage inventory throughout the season to identify risks and opportunities.
• Identify promotional requirements to mitigate inventory risks and support sales performance.
• Identify closeout opportunities to improve productivity per store and optimise inventory levels.
• Proactively manage returns to optimise profitability of aged inventory and Outlet stock levels.
• Review business performance on a weekly, monthly, quarterly and seasonal basis to identify actions required to optimise sales and inventory.
• Analyse sales, margin, stock and inventory performance and translate insights into clear commercial actions.
• Propose and implement actions required to achieve inventory targets.
• Proactively re-forecast Core products on a monthly basis.
• Support the identification of PC9s required for Jobber Deals where appropriate.
• Create hindsight analysis to inform future buying and merchandise planning decisions.
• Prepare and lead seasonal Investment Review discussions with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Maintain strong alignment between merchandise plans, sales targets, inventory requirements and financial objectives.
• Ensure item planning accuracy and contribute to overall margin and profitability of the assortment.
• Drive continuous improvement across merchandise planning, allocation and inventory management processes.
• Promote standardisation of planning, allocation and inventory management processes and tools across the wider regional business wherever possible.
• Identify opportunities to improve planning accuracy, operational efficiency and inventory productivity.
• Act as a fast adopter of new systems, tools and processes.
• Build effective relationships with Merchandising, Retail, Sales, Commercial, Finance, Supply Chain and Inventory Management teams.
• Provide analytical insights and recommendations to support commercial and strategic decision-making.
• Ensure agreed actions from business reviews and cross-functional meetings are implemented and monitored.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as required in line with business needs.

Education Profile

• Minimum Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 8 years' experience in Merchandise Planning and Inventory Management.
• Proven experience working in a Retail Planning role within the apparel or fashion industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in merchandise forecasting and planning.
• Proven experience managing and developing a team.
• Strong understanding of assortment planning, allocation, stock management and retail inventory KPIs.
• Experience working closely with Merchandising, Retail, Finance, Commercial, Sales and Supply Chain teams.
• Proven ability to analyse large volumes of data and translate insights into commercial actions.
• Strong understanding of sales forecasting, inventory management and merchandise productivity.
• Experience working within a fast-paced retail environment.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of retail profitability.
• Computer literate, with strong proficiency in relevant merchandise planning, reporting and analytical systems.
• Experience with planning and allocation systems will be advantageous.
• Key Competencies
• Strong analytical and numerical ability
• Merchandise planning and forecasting
• Inventory management
• Retail planning and allocation
• Commercial acumen
• Sales and margin optimisation
• Assortment planning
• Stock productivity management
• Strong leadership and people management
• Strategic and commercial thinking
• Strong communication skills
• Planning and organising
• Stakeholder management
• Influencing skills
• Assertiveness
• Facilitation and presentation skills
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to work under pressure
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Results-driven approach
• Growth mindset
• Initiative and adaptability
• Continuous improvement mindset

Application Instructions

Please forward your CV to cv@myfuturecareer.co.za. Should you not be contacted within 2 weeks, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.

Contact Details