Head of Planning at TFG (The Foschini Group)

As a Head of Planning, your key responsibilities will be:

• Lead the Planning team to conceptualise and implement the merchandise strategy in line with overall company strategy
• Deliver consolidated company seasonal merchandise, location and assortment plans, including performance and monthly forecasts to the relevant stakeholders
• Manage and control merchandise, markdown and promotional budgets aligned to business financial budgets to deliver on all KPI targets
• Ensure set objectives and KPIs are met and/or exceeded incl. turnover growth, profitability, PIS, CSOH, margins, stock turn and clearance
• Ensure successful execution of product range, assortment and allocation in store and online in collaboration with store operations, buying, marketing, logistics and IT teams
• Manage product strategy to ensure product availability, sizing and location- ie. Right stock, in right place, at the right time
• Influence fashionability and the right product mix through the chain to maximise sales and gross margin opportunities
• Drive customer focused strategies to increase service levels ensuring stock and size availability and rewards programs
• Monitor product and range performance, anticipate market threats and opportunities to drive appropriate team action
• Identify strategies to minimise the aging of inventory
• Develop and implement a strategy to ensure the function is operating in line with the objectives of the business to add value, mitigate supply chain risk, optimising cost savings and profitability
• Establish/develop and/or maintain sustainable supplier relationships
• Negotiate terms with suppliers in line with overall margin, service and quality targets
• Leading and managing a high-performance Merchandise team building strong talent pipelines, and developing and retaining talent
• Leading and managing cross functional interpersonal relationships to enable optimal business success
• Work alongside the senior management team in contributing to overall company strategy

To apply you need to be/ have:

• Minimum 8 years working experience at a senior management level, incl. people / team management
• A relevant tertiary qualification
• Minimum 15 years relevant planning / merchandise experience is essential
• Ability to work comfortably at both a strategic and operational level
• Ability to drive change, persuade and influence both internal and external stakeholders (often without direct authority)
• Demonstrate a high level of maturity, emotional intelligence and insight into diverse teams and individuals
• Ability to work well under pressure and deliver to aggressive deadlines, incl. problem solving
• Exceptional analytical ability to effectively evaluate and drive functional KPIs
• Strong written and verbal communication at all levels of organisation
• Exceptional leadership skills incl. the ability to attract, hire, retain and motivate assigned team members and talent pool