Planning analyst

JOB ADVERTAn exciting opportunity has just become available within our Central Planning Team. Reporting to the Central Planning Manager, our ideal candidate will be able to drive cross functional alignment with the implementation of any planning systems changes. We are looking for a proactive, efficient, self-motivated and positive individual, to be responsible for evolving and optimizing the merchandise planning systems and business intelligence platforms in line with the merchandise planning system strategy and in support of the company objectives.
QUALIFICATIONSEssential:
• A Grade 12 Certificate/Matric

Preferred:
• B. Comm./ B. Science degree in Finance, Accounting, Maths, Stats and/or Business Science
• National Diploma in Financial Information Systems
• National Diploma majoring in Internal Auditing and/or Cost and Management Accounting
• National Diploma/degree in Business/Retail/Merchandise Management or Accounting/Finance
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCEKNOWLEDGE:
• Expert product knowledge on the Just Enough tool or a similar RPL System
• Knowledge of the retail merchandise cycle in terms of Planning, Buying ,Logistics and Stores
• Knowledge of the retail and merchandise planning processes
• Knowledge and understanding of seasonal and non-seasonal products
• Exposure to BI tools (e.g. QlikSense/ QlikView)

SKILLS:
• Excellent organisational, planning, project and time management expertise.
• Excellent relationship-building, facilitation, networking and communication skills
• Merchant and Commercial sound thinking
• Methodical, detail oriented and accurate
• A strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• Good judgment together with a sound decision-making ability
• Excellent numerical skills
• Conflict resolution skills
• Assertiveness
• Resilience

The ability to:
• interpret and understand customer needs and translate these into technical specifications and operational requirements
• be deadline and results-driven
• take initiative and reason logically and be creative in developing and introducing new ideas
• work independently, as well as within a team
• positively influence system user behaviour

EXPERIENCE:
Essential:
• A minimum of 3 years of planning experience within a clothing retail environment.
• Experience working in planning systems namely from product plans to clustering, assortment plans and allocations.
• Working experience in the latest Microsoft packages (Word, PowerPoint & Advanced Excel)
• 2-3 years’ experience in analyzing information in a BI environment

Preferred:
• Replenishment and Fashion planning experience (2-3 years)
• Previous exposure to and understanding of logistics and supply chain processes
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES• Continous system evaluation
• Proposals of enhancements or changes to the system/processes
• Merchandise planning system specifications and sign-off of any changes
• Investigating new sources
• Cross functional alignment with all relevant stakeholders
• Change management of new systems and implementation
• User acceptance testing of new planning systems
• Designing content of training material
• Training and development of users
• Co-ordinating and facilitating training for system users
• Plan, lead and implement projects as required by the business in relation to systems
• Support the Planning Team through the implementation of any other projects
OTHER