Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for data-driven results? Ackermans, a leader in the value retail sector, is seeking experienced Product Planners to join their team at the Support Centre in Kuils River, Cape Town. This is an open advertisement aimed at building a talent pool of high-energy professionals who can manage departmental business plans and merchandise strategies. If you have a rock-solid understanding of the retail cycle and a drive to optimize profitability through precision planning, we want to engage with you.
Job Overview
-
Role: Product Planner
-
Department: Planning
-
Location: Ackermans Support Centre, Kuils River, Western Cape
-
Job Type: Full-time / Open Advertisement
-
Salary: Market Related
Job Purpose
The Product Planner is responsible for delivering, implementing, and managing departmental business plans that directly support the Strategic Business Unit’s (SBU) merchandise strategy. This role is not just about numbers; it is about translating data into a winning product assortment that meets the needs of the value-conscious South African consumer. You will manage forecasts, inflows, and assortment plans to ensure growth and profitability while minimizing financial risk.
Key Performance Areas & Responsibilities
1. Strategic Business Planning
-
Implementation: Develop and execute departmental business plans aligned with the overall SBU merchandise strategy.
-
Profitability Management: Manage departmental forecasts to ensure the store achieves the growth and profit margins outlined in the Business Plan.
-
Project Management: Execute specific project plans to achieve strategic objectives as required by the planning department.
2. Assortment & Replenishment
-
Assortment Plans: Prepare and deliver detailed merchandise assortment plans that support the signed-off departmental strategy.
-
Inflow Control: Ensure sufficient stock inflows to maintain agreed-upon replenishment service levels.
-
Inventory Health: Balance seasonal and non-seasonal replenishment to maximize sales and minimize markdown risks.
3. Data Analytics & Reporting
-
Information Management: Provide accurate and timeous merchandise information to stakeholders to optimize business opportunities.
-
Performance Tracking: Analyze sales trends and stock levels to adjust plans dynamically in a fast-paced retail environment.
-
Risk Mitigation: Use numerical and analytical skills to identify potential stock-outs or overstock situations before they impact the bottom line.
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
To be considered for future Product Planning opportunities, candidates should possess:
-
Education: Grade 12 Certificate / Matric is essential.
-
Preferred Degrees: * B.Comm or B.Science in Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Statistics, or Business Science.
-
National Diploma in Internal Auditing, Cost and Management Accounting, or Financial Information Systems.
-
-
Experience: * A minimum of 2–3 years of experience in product planning within a retail or FMCG environment.
-
Proven experience in replenishment and assortment planning.
-
Exposure to general logistics and supply chain processes.
-
-
Technical Skills: * Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel is a prerequisite.
-
Experience working with specialized retail planning systems.
-
Core Competencies
-
Commercial Thinking: Deep knowledge of the SA retail clothing market, customers, and competitors.
-
Analytical Problem Solving: A methodical and detail-oriented approach to logical problem-solving.
-
Resilience & Agility: The ability to function effectively under pressure and maintain a positive attitude.
-
Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to foster a shared vision within a cross-functional team of buyers and logisticians.
Why Join the Ackermans Planning Team?
At Ackermans, planning is the engine room of our success. We offer a dynamic environment where your analytical input directly shapes the products found in hundreds of stores across the country. You will work in a collaborative setting that values integrity, assertiveness, and a deadline-oriented mindset. This is your chance to join a “performance powerhouse” and build a career in a resilient and growing sector.
How to Apply
If you have a strong understanding of merchandise products in a value retail business and are motivated by driving results through numbers, please apply to join our talent pool.
Official Apply Link: Product Planner – Ackermans Careers
Explore More Retail Planning & Financial Careers
Looking for other product planning, financial analysis, or retail management roles in the Western Cape? Explore these resources:
Leave a Reply