Planner

JOB TITLE                       :    Planner

Department                    :    Operations 

Reporting to                   :    Planning Manager

Direct reports                :    Junior Planner X 4

Key customers              :    Suppliers, Logistics, Brand Teams

Main purpose       :     The Planner is responsible for planning, forecasting, and managing   inventory performance for specific product categories within a brand. The role ensures that the right levels of stock are planned and delivered to maximise sales, optimise margins, and maintain healthy inventory levels.

Working closely with Buying, Retail, and Supply Chain teams, the Planner translates category strategies into financial plans, demand forecasts, and inventory actions that support the brand’s commercial objectives.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 1: MERCHANDISE PLANNING STRATEGY

• Drive sales, margin, and inventory targets aligned with financial budgets.
• Lead GTM & seasonal planning processes including OTB (Open-to-Buy)
• Adhere to all planning frameworks

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 2: DEMAND PLANNING & SALES PLANNING

• Execute Demand forecasting process across all owned categories
• SKU level forecasting
• Analyse historical sales, market trends, and promotional plans to ensure team execute accurate forecasts.
• Ensure range plans align with demand projections.
• Revise forecasts monthly to ensure accuracy
• Ensure stock turn objectives and profit targets are met for categories
• Partner with Buyers during range planning and assortment building
• Provide insights on category performance, price architecture, and product mix.
• Support pre-season planning and post-season analysis.
• Create Retail range assortments and replenishment.
• Analysis of Retail sell through with necessary systems to optimize seasonal orders and replenishment to stores.
• Monitoring in season trade and react accordingly.
• Ensuring product plan meets location plan targets and correct stock allocations meet sales targets.
• Ensuring sufficient inflows of product to meet acceptable in stock percentages to maintaining agreed replenishment service levels.
• Ensure space optimization per store in accordance with sell through information (Gender, Silhouette, colour etc.)

• Work with Inventory Controllers to ensure that the Category inventory levels across all locations (stores, ecommerce, and distribution centres) are accurate and managed.
• Maintain optimal stock turn, sell-through, and weeks of cover.
• Reduce markdown risk, excess stock, and stock-outs.
• Implement Approved Markdowns and Promotions
• Implement inventory health reporting and corrective action plans.
• Ensure stock allocation and replenishment is executed across the DTC channels.
• Ensure stock distribution aligns with store grading, regional performance, and demand patterns.
• Manage inter-store transfers and stock balancing with Inventory Controllers

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY 4: DATA AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

• Provide a Category-level view of inventory exposure, risk, and opportunity.
• Refresh and distribute the standard dashboards and reporting for Sales and Stock Performance, Sell-Through, Stock Cover, GP and Aging
• Analyse data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities. Present insights and recommendations to Planning Manager
  

•  Ensure role clarity and effective goal setting.
• Mentor and coach Junior Planners to ensure to ensure an optimal team strategy is achieved.
• Work closely with fellow Planners to ensure consistency across brands.
• Handle IR issues and performance management and discuss disciplinary requirements with HCM.
• Manage the GOLP process of for all direct reports.
• Monitor the application of the HR Value Chain and adherence to people-related SOP’s.
  

COMPETENCY PROFILE

(Skills, knowledge, abilities, attributes, and behaviours that are required to do this specific job well)

KEY LEADERSHIP & INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCIES

(Behaviours that enhance the desired culture, values and the pursuit of the core purpose of the business

• VALUES:
  • We believe in the power of brands and growing brands responsibly.
  • We believe in developing and building our teams for the benefit of all stakeholders.
  • We believe in continuous investment into our people and our business platforms.
  • We care deeply about our environment and our people.

• LEADERSHIP & RELATIONSHIP BEHAVIOURS
  • Strategic Communication: Clearly communicates goals, strategies, and updates to the team and stakeholders.
  • Collaboration: Works effectively with cross-functional teams (e.g., buying, marketing, supply chain) to ensure alignment on plans.
  • Decision-Making: Makes informed, timely decisions based on data and strategic objectives.
  • Conflict Resolution: Addresses conflicts or disagreements constructively and promptly within the team or with stakeholders.
  • Mentorship & Development: Provides coaching and development opportunities to team members to enhance their skills and career growth.
  • Stakeholder Management: Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., suppliers, buyers, and senior management).
  • Accountability: Takes responsibility for team performance, ensuring that goals and objectives are met.
  • Adaptability: Adjusts to changing business conditions, market trends, and team dynamics
  • Empathy: Demonstrates understanding of team needs and challenges, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.
  • Influence & Negotiation: Effectively influences others and negotiates to achieve the best outcomes for the business.

   TECHNICAL AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

(Specific technical, functional, and professional skills, knowledge, abilities, attributes and aptitudes that are required to be able to do this particular job well relative to the delivery of the Main Purpose and Key Accountabilities)

• Merchandise Planning: Expertise in creating, managing, and optimizing merchandise plans that align with business goals and customer demand.
• Sales Forecasting: Ability to accurately forecast sales trends and demand patterns using data and market analysis.
• Inventory Management: Proficiency in managing inventory levels, optimizing stock turnover, and reducing overstock or stockouts.
• Financial Acumen: Knowledge of budgeting, margin analysis, and financial performance tracking for merchandising activities.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Strong analytical skills to interpret sales data, track KPIs, and generate actionable insights for decision-making.
• Supply Chain Coordination: Understanding of supply chain processes to ensure timely product delivery and alignment with sales forecasts.
• Product Assortment Strategy: Ability to select and manage product assortments that meet customer needs while optimizing profitability.
• Retail & E-commerce Integration: Experience in integrating retail and e-commerce strategies to drive unified merchandising outcomes across channels.
• Pricing & Promotion Strategy: Competence in setting pricing strategies, managing markdowns, and planning promotional activities to maximize sales.
• Software Proficiency: Expertise in merchandise planning software, spreadsheets (Excel), and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Vendor Management: Knowledge of managing supplier relationships, negotiating terms, and ensuring product availability.
• Trend Analysis: Ability to identify market trends and consumer behaviour insights to inform planning decisions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

The minimum education and experience requirements that are required to be considered