Homechoice Vacancies: Junior Merchandise Planner Opportunity

Homechoice Vacancies

Purpose of this Job:

To assist with planning, implementing, forecasting and controlling of the product line sales, OTB and margins that comply with relevant financial, marketing and customer service objectives of the business.

Financial

• Responsible for managing key financial metrics i.e. Sales (Intake & Net Sales Value), Receipts, Inventory Efficiency (Stock Turn & Stock Sell Through), Stock Health, COS% / Gross Margin, Unreserved, Substitutions, Returns, Out of Stock Cancels as well as Average Item Value

Planning & Forecasting

• Manage overall sales plans in line with marketing plan for the year
• Ensure the effective usage of DirectTech application
• Manage sales forecasts by category based on Business Plan to reflect trend direction and trading opportunities
• Ensure range is balanced & supports growth of the business
• Effectively plan & forecast for clearance activity
• Margin Management: Manage inbound GM% to achieve set targets (by BU by Material)

Stock Management

• Effective management of OTB
• Ensure quick reaction to changes in trading patterns and proactively recommends changes to future OTB
• Identify reasons for poor performance areas and demonstrate timely and appropriate response
• Develop and manage an effective clearance & liquidation strategy
• Critical Path Management: Drive the timely receipt of product into the warehouse
• Drive optimised stock efficiency
• Manage cancellations and substitutions in line with targets
• Utilise DirectTech to support the timely identification & strategy development around of good & bad sellers.

Trader Mentality

• Allocation of Sales & OTB – Proactively reforecast Sales & OTB in response to trading trends
• Active Trading – Drive the effective & appropriate usage of Tele Commissions (up & down) to manipulate sales
• Risk Appetite – Ensure appropriate OTB & sales are allocated to test new categories and identify and respond effectively to business opportunities and threats
• Customer Experience – Ensure offers are developed that resonate with the customer (i.e. not overly complex) and that offers are aligned to international best practise & support business growth
• Support creative to ensure the effective communication / execution
• Competitive Landscape – Displays sound understanding of target market and keep up to date on competitor developments whilst remaining abreast of local & international retail developments

System, Process & Analytics

• Ensure effective analytical use of Data Warehouse Cube and partner with BI & other areas to ensure data is identified and made easily available to user via the cubes
• Deliver timely & effective analysis & reporting (ad hoc & periodic) to all relevant stakeholders and drive a culture of excellence with regards to data integrity
• Supporting business strategy and identify opportunities to enhance current systems to effectively support the business strategy
• Keep abreast of international & local developments & feedback to business on development opportunities
• Champion Merchandise interests wrt system developments and enhancements
• Drive efficiencies and identify & drive the implementation of time / cost saving system enhancements whilst improving the customer experience
• Maintain efficient & effective processe and identify opportunities to improve cost / time efficiencies, develop processes that support business strategy and artner across the business to ensure the effective development & deployment process enhancements / introduction
• Champion Merchandise interests when collaborating on business process developments

Teamwork & Employee Engagement

• Lead by example and be a credible leader, follow through on commitments, strives to do the right thing when making business decisions and sets strong ethical standards
• Create and maintain an environment of openness, fairness and integrity between team members
• Promote and develop effective working relationships with internal partners and consider other areas needs when setting business priorities

 

Requirements:

Qualifications

• Grade 12 (Matric) Certificate
• Marketing Diploma (IMM) or Commercial/Retail Qualification

Experience & Skills

• A minimum of 1 – 2 years experience in a Merchandising planning department
• Must be computer literate with Excel, MS Word and PowerPoint

Attributes & Behaviours

• Excellent planning and coordinating ability with strong analytical skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet strict deadlines
• Must show level of assertiveness
• Must be performance driven and results focused
• Ability to make insightful business decision and recommendations
• Achievement orientated, coupled with an adaptable, innovative and creative approach
• Excellent interpersonal & problem solving skills with specific attention to detail
• Strong verbal, written and presentation skills
• High energy levels to work in a challenging environment

Location: Cape Town

How to Apply

Apply Online from the link below