Senior Planner - @home

• Mentor the Merchandise Planning Team, providing guidance and support to team members. 
• Drive planning performance across the Bedroom and Bathroom categories through data-led decision making and commercial analysis. 
• Project future sales and manage forecasting activities to optimise inventory investment, stock levels and sales performance. 
• Analyse sales trends, stock levels and trading performance to identify opportunities and risks, implementing corrective actions where required. 
• Optimise planning processes and drive continuous process improvement. 
• Manage range assortments and replenishment, ensuring the right products are available at the right time and in the right quantities. 
• Implement distribution strategies to maximise product availability and category performance. 
• Develop category strategic, tactical and operational plans to achieve sales, profit and inventory targets. 
• Manage OTB allowance across in-season and forward budgets. 
• Partner closely with suppliers to influence product decisions, stock flow and category performance. 
• Analyse and review weekly sales performance with the Buying team and drive appropriate trading actions. 
• Work collaboratively with Buying and supplier partners to optimise assortment, availability and profitability. 
• Take ownership of demand forecasting, stock management and replenishment planning to support sales growth. 
• Use data insights and commercial analysis to influence trading decisions and improve category performance. 
• Foster collaboration across Buying, Marketing, Visual Merchandising and Operations teams. 
• Drive stock optimisation and inventory productivity across the category. 
• Prepare and present performance insights and recommendations in trade meetings. 
• Contribute to category growth through proactive trading insights and effective stakeholder engagement. 
• Conduct regular store visits to evaluate trading performance, identify opportunities and enhance commercial decision-making. 

• Diploma, Graduate Degree or Post Graduate Degree.
• 5 years' proven Merchandise Planning experience within a retail environment.
• Must possess strong numerical, analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Previous experience within Homeware, Home Softs, Bedroom or Bathroom categories would be advantageous.
• Experience within a SKU-intensive retail environment would be advantageous 

Skills:

• Analytical Processes  
• Commercial Acumen  
• Contract Management  
• Customer Service Delivery  
• Planning & Organising  
• Policy & Procedures  
• Market Research and Analysis  
• Supplier Management  
• Requirements Analysis  
• Global Sourcing  
• Strategic eCommerce  

Behaviours:

• Being Resilient - rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• Building Effective Teams - forms, develops and leads a group of individuals toward the achievement of a common team objective
• Builds Networks - establishes and nurtures internal and external relationships in order to create robust, and mutually beneficial, partnerships
• Cultivates Innovation - creates an environment that fosters and nurtures a culture of creativity which drives success
• Decision Quality - consistently makes timely, well-rounded and informed decisions
• Drives Engagement - inspires, motivates and empowers individuals to go above and beyond for the benefit of the team and the organisation
• Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
• Manages Complexity - interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
• Organisational Savvy - understands and navigates dynamics created by processes, systems, and people
• Situational Adaptability - effectively adjusts their behaviour, approach, and decision-making based on the situation
• Strategic Mindset - thinks and plans strategically, focusing on the long-term goals and objectives of the organisation 

Preference will be given, but not limited to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.