Clicks is on the hunt for a Junior Demand Planner, to ensure effective demand and statistical forecasting for assigned categories in order to drive profitability through increased sales, improved margins, and working capital productivity.
Job Description
To be accountable for forecast accuracy within the allocated categories
To be accountable for optimized inventory levels within the allocated categories and minimum order quantity within the allocated categories
To partner with the Category Managers on the development of pre-season sales, markdown, margin, and inventory plans
To analyze and propose to the merchandising department top line shifts in the assortment investment at the category level
At the category level monitor projections, inventory flow and seasonal sell-off plans as well as validate monthly forecast for open to buy management
To recognize and reconcile forecast exceptions to track and manage sales against forecast and validate forecast for OTB management
To determine causal factors impacting forecasts and respond appropriately, (weather, moving events, promotions etc.)
To ensure effective stakeholder management and engagement in order to determine trends, identify new products, evaluate risks and determine inventory and replenishment requirements
To generate and deliver accurate and timely management reports and maintain key metrics against goals in order to analyze forecast performance and ensure forecast accuracy and inventory optimization
To effectively analyze post promotional and event data to determine opportunities and improve future forecasts
To effectively lead and prepare for the consensus forecast meetings with key stakeholders in order to enhance key insights and decisions taken
To ensure the effective execution of the range review process and decision making in order to assist the Category Team to determine optimal range
Minimum requirements
EDUCATION
Diploma in Purchasing/Business Management Financial/Retail Management (Desirable)
Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Math, Decision Science, Marketing, Business, related area or equivalent experience
JOB EXPERIENCE
Strong planning and buying experience with solid understanding of financial and statistical analysis of both
1 - 3 years' experience with in Demand Planning in a retail / FMCG environment
Distributions requirement planning and other supply chain processes such as production planning, scheduling and transportation
Supply chain software knowledge ( BY / EP) advantageous (Desirable)
JOB RELATED KNOWLEDGE
Retail / FMCG Demand Forecasting, Supply Chain and Logistics
Data analysis models
Ability to understand and fine tune algorithms for optimal forecast performance
Execution of the new stores / lines / products process using required commercial acumen
Understanding of the consistent management and planning of the supplier base performance metrics, promotional planning cycle, product lifecycle, supply chain optimization for their products, business analysis and reporting
Financial planning models and methodologies (Desirable)
Understanding of customer needs and wants, trends, competitive environment and market share (Desirable)
JOB SKILLS
Causal factor determination and event driven adjustments
Deep analytical skills
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, to build relationships and drive consensus and collaboration across functional groups
Business math acumen and analysis to comprehend financial information and reporting to make business decisions
Forecasting consumer trends and buying habits 9 - 24 months in the future
Complex decision making based on statistics, trends and opinions
Presentation skills with focus being on oral and written communication skills
Proficiency on MS Office Excel, Word, Outlook and Power Point, spreadsheets, databases
Complex Problem solving
Retail financial & mathematical calculations (e.g. variance to last year, percent of total, turn, Open-to-Buy)