Planner – Volpes x1
Job Details
- Position: Planner – Volpes
- Job Type: Full Time
- Industry: Retail / Merchandise Planning
- Location: South Africa (TFG The Rock Building)
- Closing Date: 30 April 2026
- Job ID: 10296
- Employer Group: The Foschini Group (Volpes brand division)
Job Description
This role focuses on merchandise planning, stock control, and sales optimisation within a retail environment (homeware/linen brand Volpes).
You will be responsible for:
- Planning product ranges and stock levels
- Managing orders and supplier coordination
- Driving sales, margin, and inventory performance
- Supporting buying decisions with data and analysis
- Ensuring the right stock is in the right stores at the right time
Key Responsibilities
Product & Order Management
- Load replenishment (RPL) and fashion orders on systems
- Sign off and track all orders
- Manage order flow through critical path to warehouse delivery
- Oversee raw material orders (where applicable)
- Manage distribution centre stock optimisation
Strategy & Assortment Planning
- Conduct SWOT and Key Lessons Learned analysis
- Analyse product performance across all KPIs (sales, margin, stock turn)
- Build seasonal budgets and sales forecasts
- Identify trends, gaps, and missed opportunities
- Develop assortment plans aligned with company strategy
- Work closely with buyers on product direction and market trends
Merchandise Planning
- Build financial merchandise plans per commodity
- Set targets for sales, margins, discounts, and inventory levels
- Monitor stock performance vs plan (weekly/monthly)
- Reforecast plans based on trade performance
- Control Open-To-Buy (OTB) budgets
- Ensure stock supports sales targets and profitability
Trade & Performance Management
- Prepare weekly/monthly trade reports
- Analyse campaign and promotion performance
- Identify underperforming or overperforming products
- Take corrective actions with buyers and suppliers
- Monitor overselling, underselling, and overstock risks
Store & Stock Management
- Manage store assortment by store profile
- Ensure balanced product distribution across stores
- Monitor store-level stock performance
- Support store stock optimisation strategies
Stakeholder & Supplier Management
- Collaborate with buyers, suppliers, and internal teams
- Maintain strong supplier relationships
- Communicate effectively with stores and field teams
- Ensure alignment across supply chain and planning functions
Requirements
Qualifications
- Relevant tertiary qualification (e.g. Supply Chain, Commerce, Industrial Engineering, Retail Planning or similar)
Experience
- 3–5 years’ experience as a Planner OR Industrial Engineer
- Experience in:
- Retail planning OR
- Logistics / manufacturing environment
Skills & Competencies
Analytical Skills
- Strong numerical ability
- Advanced data analysis and forecasting
- Strategic and detail-oriented thinking
Technical Skills
- Strong Excel skills
- MS Office proficiency
- Advantage: Fast React system knowledge
Business Skills
- Strong commercial and retail understanding
- Category management knowledge
- Continuous improvement mindset
Communication & Leadership
- Strong negotiation and communication skills
- Ability to influence buyers, suppliers, and teams
- Strong collaboration skills
Operational Strengths
- Strong decision-making ability
- Ability to manage multiple priorities
- Systems-driven and process-focused