Retail Planner

October 10, 2024

Toys R Us and Babies R Us South Africa

Durban

OTHER

Toys R Us is currently looking for an enthusiastic, professional, highly motivated, analytical, business savvy and resilient individual who will thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Purpose
The Merchandise/Retail Planner develops, maintains, analyzes and executes category level item plans for one or more departments. The Planner is also responsible for store allocations and works directly with Buyer and Merchandise & Planning Manager to achieve strategic goals. The position works directly with suppliers to exchange orders, sales data and item availability information. Manage, train and monitor the Orders Clerks.
Chain Item Planning

Develop and maintain item sales and inventory plans
Overall management and utilization of inventory procurement plan
Develop item unit plan using the replenishment system software
Develop inventory plan by week by chain.
Recommend changes to assortment, markdowns, markups, and to promote items based on current rate of sales and go forward plans
Track weekly sales performance and make adjustments to sales, forecast receipts and markdowns as needed
Review item plans (forecasted sales and inventory) with Buyers and suppliers to ensure product availability
Communicate inventory concerns for promotional and inline sales through the proper communication vehicles.
Work with Buyers to develop consensus on forecast sales
Provide Buyers with promotional forecast for input into ROI and marketing submissions

Replenishment / Allocation

Order and manage inventory investments according to OTB and to ensure the right product arrives in the right location in the right quantity at the right time
Analyze and determine allocation methods for items (Supplier to DC or Direct to Store), based on range profile, store profile and ranking
Analyze, determine and execute initial orders for new items to include quantity and timing
Utilizing the ordering, replenishment and inventory procurement plans, review, maintain and execute vendor orders to ensure proper flow of product from supplier to all stores/DC, within given Open To Buy, Weeks Of Supply, and in stock goals\
Works directly with suppliers sharing orders, information on sales plans, performance metrics, and gathering data on item availability\
Maintain the supplier/category ordering calendar to optimize inbound flow of goods.
Analyze store and DC inventory and in-stocks to ensure appropriate store replenishment; execute changes either manually or utilizing allocation tools
Collaborate with stores and marketing team to develop specific allocation segmentations, support critical roto and Key Item processes, and store specific merchandise requests
Collaborates with Sales and Operation Team to address supply chain and system issues
Collaborates with Logistics Team to ensure proper prioritization of hot/ needed product.
Manage exception reporting to ensure proper allocation down to store level

Assortment Planning

Maintain and partner with Buyers in understanding of store profiles for each category
Work directly with Buyers to ensure that assortment plans and item eligibility directly coincide with replenishment plans
Working with the same team and store planning, suggest appropriate store groupings and bin allocation.
Validate presentation minimums to ensure enough inventory is available to support periodic events like end caps and feature space

Financial Analysis, Pricing / OTB Planning

Responsible for maintaining financials including Open-to-Buy planning based on the inventory procurement plans.
Engage with Buyers to manage current and future OTB status, identify issues and opportunities and develop strategies to optimize OTB planning
Develop financial plans with Buyers to achieve the department’s annual sales and net margin goals
Analyze sales data to identify key performance drives of sales performance and opportunities for expansion
Analyse margin data to ensure budget goals are met
Prepare and develop, plan and implement pricing strategies; implement price reductions

SKU/Product/System Management

Review outliers, focus on items that doing well as well as those that are less successful to guide buying
Consistently evaluate SKU count to ensure dominance of best-selling products and optimal range.
Liaise with Buying team on system maintenance updates and changes, which include - delisting’s (product and/or suppliers), price changes (sell and cost), product loading, promotions, conditional pricing, product hierarchy, supplier details etc.

Marketing/ Advertising & Promotions

Partner with the Buyers and Marketing team to review promotions and proofs all advertising before release
Process catalogues and insert submissions on the system
Track shipping and local orders on all advertised items and prioritize orders for warehouse and locals
Proof ad copy/photography and proof advertising (pricing, codes, pagination)
Track sales on advertised material and report to respective teams
Manage the marketing ROI template by entering deals, prior and actual projections
Communicate all promotions related activity to store teams

Leadership/Talent Enhancement & Training

Continuously update knowledge and skills in both technical and non-technical merchandising competencies to handle new challenges
Develop and train Orders Clerks
Provide feedback, coaching and guidance where appropriate to enhance skill development

Cross Functional Partnership

Communication across company departments/cross functional teams
Manage tasks and responsibilities within cross-functional teams and cultivate networks across divisions and functions to improve business processes; ensure honest, direct and ethics in dealing with others (Shipping, Finance, Marketing, Warehouse, Ops, HR, Store Design, Property etc.)

Key Requirements

Relevant 3-year Degree/Diploma
2 to 3 Years of Product Planning Experience in a retail environment
Article Clerk with a passion for planning
High level of Excel ability essential
Must understand forecasting aspect of planning and interaction of key KPI’s
Sound numerical, analytical thinking & logical problem-solving skills
Strong data handling capabilities
Strong merchant, trader and commercial mentality
Team Collaborator who is strategic and forward thinking
Strong planning, organizing, administrating and coordinating skills
Ability to work independently, self-lead and use initiative
Methodical, detail-orientated and high level of accuracy
Punctual, Deadline driven and outcomes focused
Strong analytical and financial skills
High attention to detail
Inventory management
Sales planning
Forecasting
Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Proven ability to work with all levels within an organisation
Replenishment system
Able to interpret numerical data, form conclusions and make quick decisions based on this
Able to multi-task and prioritise time/workload effectively
Highly driven, motivated and confident
Imaginative and creative in identifying workable solutions
Taking responsibility for development and have a hunger for autonomy and accountability
Passionate about retail with a desire to progress through to Buyer and beyond