JOB PURPOSE:
We’re looking for experienced planners to deliver, implement and manage departmental business plans that support the merchandise strategy.
Our ideal candidate? An experienced planner with a strong understanding of merchandise products in a value retail business. A self-motivated individual who's passionate about data-driven performance and driving results through numbers. You'll need to bring your high energy level to keep up with the excitement of our retail environment!
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Delivering and implementing departmental business plans that support the SBU’s merchandise strategy.
Managing departmental forecasts to achieve agreed departmental growth and profitability as per the Business Plan.
Preparing and delivering merchandise assortment plans that support the signed-off departmental business strategy.
Ensuring sufficient inflows to maintaining agreed replenishment service levels to achieve agreed departmental growth and profitability as per the Business Plan.
Providing accurate and timeous merchandise information to minimise risk and optimise business opportunities.
Executing and managing project plans to achieve the agreed objectives (if applicable).
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Essential Grade 12 certificate / Matric
Preferred
B. Comm./ B. Science degree in Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Stats and Business Science OR
National Diploma majoring in Internal Auditing and Cost and Management Accounting OR
National Diploma in Financial Information Systems
JOB RELATED KNOWELDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
Knowledge required:
the retail merchandise cycle with regards to Buying, Planning, Logistics and Stores
seasonal & non-seasonal replenishments
the SA retail clothing market, customers and competitors
Skills required:
Sound commercial thinking & numerical skills
Analytical thinking & logical problem-solving skills
Interpersonal and relationship-building skills
Planning, organising & time management skills.
Conflict resolution skills
Resilience, agility, and the ability to maintain high levels of drive and initiative under pressure.
Collaboration skills, fostering a shared vision, and positively influencing decision-making in a team setting.
Flexibility to function effectively under pressure and maintain a positive attitude and work performance in diverse circumstances.
Self-motivation, a sense of responsibility, and pride in one's work.
Methodical and detail-oriented approach, ensuring accuracy in tasks.
Effective communication skills across all levels.
Strong sense of integrity in professional conduct.
Deadline-oriented mindset.
Assertiveness in handling tasks and responsibilities
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
A minimum of 3-5 years previous experience in product planning within a relevant retail and/or FMCG environment is essential.
Replenishment and assortment planning experience
Prior store planning experience
Previous store management experience (1 – 2 years)
Previous exposure to general logistics and supply chain processes
Experience working in planning systems.
Experience working with the most recent Microsoft software, including Word and Excel, is a prerequisite. Proficiency in advanced Excel usage would be an asset.
The Ackermans story goes back as far as 1916, when Gus Ackerman opened the first store in Wynberg in Cape Town. His vision for the store was to create a place where customers could find great products at fantastic prices, which is exactly what Ackermans became. Ackermans was, subsequently, bought by the Pepkor Group in 1986.
Today, there are more than 850 Ackermans stores in 5 countries, making us a leading value fashion retailer for the whole family – continuously setting the standard for value and affordability. With a wide selection of fashion for ladies, kids, babies and men, as well as homeware, cellular and key financial products, we’ll keep bringing value to your life every day.
Our purpose at Ackermans is: Bringing Value to Life, and it lies at the heart of everything we do, whether it’s to the lives of our customers and employees, or to the wider community and value retailing as a whole.
The secret to our success is simple – people. Hiring people who love what they do, and giving them every opportunity to shine. In fact, at Ackermans we’re so committed to this philosophy that we’ve named our staff members Phadimas – which means ‘shine’ in Northern Sotho. Every day, each of our employees is encouraged to shine, reach for the stars and take each other, and the Ackermans brand, to new heights of achievement and success.
We firmly believe that the future of our company rests in the hands of the people we employ. As such, every new Ackermans Phadima is put through a rigorous selection process and chosen with the greatest of care. This process ensures that each new Phadima is a perfect fit for our company culture, and will thrive in our environment of encouragement, motivation and inspiration.
If you feel that this is an environment that you could succeed in, we’d love for you to join us. View our current vacancies, and we could soon be welcoming you on-board as our newest Ackermans Phadima!
