Product Planner

Job Description

Refinery is looking for an exceptional Product Planner based at our Head Office. In this role, you will lead the charge on delivering, implementing, and managing robust departmental business plans that champion Refinery’s dynamic merchandise strategy. Bring your analytical edge, own your category, and help shape what our customers wear next.

Qualifications

• Matric and a relevant tertiary qualification in Finance, Commerce, Accounting, or Cost and Management Accounting.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• 3+ years of product planning experience in a retail environment, including 12 months of head office experience, store planning, and replenishment/assortment planning.
• Experience with retail planning systems, along with knowledge of general
• logistics, supply chain processes, stock control, distribution, and seasonal/non-seasonal replenishments.
• Understanding of the retail merchandise cycle regarding buying and advanced proficiency in Excel, MS Office packages and Google Suite.
• Information monitoring, the ability to work under pressure, excellent planning, organizing, and strong time management skills, combined with high attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills, financial acumen, and a commercial understanding with a merchant mindset.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver, implement, and manage departmental business and assortment plans that support the Brand’s merchandise strategy, ensuring the correct seasonality, price points, units, and number of styles are bought.
• Coordinate the range and present to the business what Buyers have bought in alignment with the signed-off departmental Business Strategy.
• Manage departmental forecasts to achieve agreed growth and profitability as per the Business Plan, tracking over- or under-performing sub-categories and informing the Buyer if more stock is required.
• Accurately and continuously forecast replenishment inflows to achieve sales plans, monitor supplier deliveries against budget and stock requirements, and ensure closing stock remains in line with budget.
• Manage and consult with identified suppliers in accordance with company policies, procedures, and deliverables within allocated time frames.
• Analyse size curves to optimise clearance, reduce markdowns, and manage the markdown budget.
• Provide accurate and timeous merchandise information to minimise risk, optimise business opportunities, and conduct regular store visits.
• Conduct post-seasonal analysis and compile relevant reports to support findings related to what stock is required.