Central Planner

takealot.com, South Africa's leading online retailer, is looking for a highly talented Central Planner  to join our Commercial  team in our Cape Town offices.

We are a young, dynamic, hyper growth company looking for smart, creative, hard-working people with integrity to join us. We offer a market related, Total Remuneration Package which allows full flexibility according to your needs, a great work environment and a promise that you won’t be bored as long as you are prepared for a challenge and want to build something great.

This position reports to the Central Planning Manager

Your responsibilities will include:

• Oversee the In-stock function including demand planning, ordering and capacity management in line with department strategy. 
• Create sustainable In-stock systems and processes in partnership with central analytics, technical and product teams.
• Planning management to support department procurement cycles including but not limited to; seasonality, promotion planning, reaction, import purchasing & continual replenishment.
• Develop & own the top-down budgeting plan cycle and reviews in line with performance, margin, stock turn & business strategy objectives
• Own and compile the annual retail sales budget, quarterly plan, working plan as well as on-going reforecasting at division levels to ensure budgets are achieved.
• Manage end to end inventory availability and inventory health including improved in-stock rates (availability), inventory planning at categorisation, systematic forecasting, markdown and clearance provisions, return to supplier activities and warehouse space management.
• Drive process improvement and operational excellence within our supplier base by reducing costs, defects, and lead times, while increasing innovation, automation, and economies of scale.
• Drive complex business analysis that identifies opportunities to improve cost structure and profitability, focusing on continual contribution margin improvements. 
• Support the operations team in delivering a world-class customer experience “monitor and scrutinise” department returns, defects and write offs, supporting the customer service team on product queries and resolving any customer complaints 
• Deliver accurate insights and reports on a timely basis on which department managers can base commercial decisions and deliver on revenue and margin plans.
• Spec reports and apps based on merch team requirements and liaise with Merch Analytics and BI to get reports and apps implemented.
• Manage clearance process.
• Manage unboxed deals.
• Manage and improve planning systems and processes including testing, roll-out and training. 
• Streamline and document merch processes Develop and maintain merch calendar.

Qualification & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma (Commerce, Finance, Mathematics or Economics degree preferable).
• 3-5 years  experience Merchandise  Planning in Retail.
• Proven track record in planning, inventory management and forecasting.
• Proven track record in spend management (OTB, Margin management, mark down controls).
• Strong numerical and analytical aptitude.
• Strong proficiency in using analytical tools (Microsoft Excel, SQL and statistical software)
• Experience with process improvement techniques. 

Attributes Required:

• Advanced Excel skills.
• Project Management skills.
• Highly numerical and analytical.
• Entrepreneurial / Commercial mindset.
• Detail orientated.
• Solutions driven.
• Analytical.

The Environment: 

• We laugh hard, work harder, and take full ownership of our wins (and learning moments!)
• Teamwork makes the dream work – we're solution-seekers who thrive on collaboration
• Got feedback? Bring it on! We're always hungry for fresh ideas and honest input 🔄
• Ego? We checked that at the door. Results? Now we're talking!

If you meet the above you are an Extraordinary Mind so come and join us! 

Takealot Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from the previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities, to apply.