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Commercial Planning and Analytics Executive at Spitz
Spitz
September 02, 2026
Full-time
On-site
Job Description
A rewarding opportunity awaits a skilled Commercial Planning & Analytics Executive at Spitz in Bryanston, Johannesburg. This role is designed for a commercially astute, analytically strong and strategically minded individual who can help evolve the Planning function into a more insight-led, commercially responsive and technology-enabled capability.
The position extends beyond traditional merchandise planning and requires an individual who can interpret complex trading data, identify behavioural and commercial patterns, challenge assumptions and translate insight into commercially actionable decisions across the business.
Operating at the intersection of Planning, Commercial Strategy, Retail Intelligence, Data Analytics and Operational Decision Support, this role will play a key part in improving forecasting capability, inventory productivity, reporting frameworks and overall commercial responsiveness within the business. The successful individual will combine intellectual curiosity, analytical capability and commercial thinking with the ability to simplify complexity and influence decision-making at a senior level.
Reporting Structure:
Reports to: Chief Creative Officer
Direct Reports: Planning Team
Key Areas of Impact:
Commercial Planning & Strategic Analysis
Lead the commercial planning function across categories and channels
Translate business strategy and creative direction into integrated financial and merchandise planning frameworks
Analyse trading performance, customer behaviour and product trends to identify opportunities, risks and emerging patterns
Interrogate business assumptions and provide commercially grounded recommendations
Identify regional, category and behavioural trading trends to support proactive decision-making
Drive strategic thinking around inventory productivity, assortment effectiveness and commercial responsiveness
Accountable for delivering key commercial metrics, including sales, margin, stock turn and inventory productivity
Ensure product direction is supported by commercially viable and scalable planning decisions
Contribute to broader business planning, budgeting and commercial strategy discussions at the executive level
Data Interpretation & Business Intelligence
Interpret large volumes of commercial, inventory and trading data to generate meaningful business insight
Develop structured analytical frameworks to improve visibility and decision-making quality
Lead in-season and post-season analysis to improve forecasting and commercial performance
Build actionable reporting methodologies that simplify complex information into commercially usable insight
Identify underlying causes of trading shifts, stock performance variances and customer behaviour changes
Partner with leadership teams to support evidence-based commercial decisions
Provide clear, structured and data-driven input into senior decision-making forums
Forecasting, Inventory & Commercial Performance
Lead end-to-end planning across categories and channels
Oversee demand forecasting, assortment planning and inventory optimisation strategies
Improve forecasting responsiveness, planning agility and commercial decision-making speed
Ensure alignment between range plans, inventory investment, financial targets and trading performance
Drive stock productivity and working capital optimisation
Reduce aged stock exposure and markdown risk
Ensure effective allocation and replenishment strategies
Align planning outputs with supply chain execution capability and commercial objectives
Support pricing, replenishment and allocation decisions through analytical insight
Planning Capability & Systems Evolution
Drive the ongoing evolution of the Planning function toward a more insight-led and technology-enabled operating model
Lead the implementation, optimisation and enhancement of planning systems, tools and reporting capability
Partner closely with IT and relevant stakeholders to improve analytical tools, reporting visibility and planning efficiency
Support the evolution toward more automated and AI-enabled planning and reporting capability over time
Ensure integrity, accuracy and effective commercial use of planning and product data
Translate business requirements into practical process, system and operating model improvements
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, visibility and commercial responsiveness through better use of data and technology
Reduce manual intervention through improved reporting structures and smarter analytical processes
Leadership & Cross-Functional Influence
Lead and develop a commercially focused and analytically capable Planning function
Build stronger commercial thinking, analytical capability and systems utilisation within the team
Influence and align stakeholders across Creative, Retail, Buying, Supply Chain, Finance and IT
Operate as a key commercial thought partner to leadership
Drive accountability, structured thinking and continuous improvement across the function
Foster a culture of curiosity, commercial ownership and data-informed decision-making
Contribute to a high-performance environment focused on agility, collaboration and commercial excellence
What It Takes to Succeed:
Experience that sets you up for success:
At least 10+ years' experience within retail, commercial analytics, planning, business intelligence or related commercial functions
5+ years' experience in merchandise planning and forecasting
Proven experience operating in commercially complex retail or consumer-driven environments
Demonstrated track record of delivering sales, margin, inventory and commercial performance outcomes
Experience working cross-functionally with Planning, Finance, Retail, IT and Leadership teams
Exposure to reporting evolution, systems enhancement or data-driven transformation initiatives advantageous
Experience within premium retail, fashion, lifestyle or consumer-focused environments
Qualifications & Certifications that will contribute to your success:
A Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, Business Science, Finance, Statistics, Economics, Supply Chain, Data Analytics or related field is required
Postgraduate qualification advantageous
Exposure to BI, Power-BI, forecasting or planning systems advantageous
Exposure to evolving AI-enabled reporting or planning environments advantageous
Additional Requirements that will enhance your impact for success:
Strong commercial and financial acumen with advanced analytical capability
Ability to interpret data, identify patterns and convert insight into commercially actionable recommendations
Comfortable operating in fast-paced, evolving and commercially demanding environments
Ability to challenge assumptions constructively while balancing strategic thinking with operational execution
Advanced Excel and reporting capability
Strong analytical reasoning and structured problem-solving capability
Advanced data interpretation and commercial insight capability
High levels of intellectual curiosity, commercial judgement and accountability
Ability to simplify complexity and operate with both strategic and analytical focus
Strong adaptability, resilience and continuous improvement mindset
Ability to operate confidently within cross-functional and fast-moving commercial environments
Closing Date 30 September 2026
A rewarding opportunity awaits a skilled Commercial Planning & Analytics Executive at Spitz in Bryanston, Johannesburg. This role is designed for a commercially astute, analytically strong and strategically minded individual who can help evolve the Planning function into a more insight-led, commercially responsive and technology-enabled capability.
The position extends beyond traditional merchandise planning and requires an individual who can interpret complex trading data, identify behavioural and commercial patterns, challenge assumptions and translate insight into commercially actionable decisions across the business.
Operating at the intersection of Planning, Commercial Strategy, Retail Intelligence, Data Analytics and Operational Decision Support, this role will play a key part in improving forecasting capability, inventory productivity, reporting frameworks and overall commercial responsiveness within the business. The successful individual will combine intellectual curiosity, analytical capability and commercial thinking with the ability to simplify complexity and influence decision-making at a senior level.
Reporting Structure:
Reports to: Chief Creative Officer
Direct Reports: Planning Team
Key Areas of Impact:
Commercial Planning & Strategic Analysis
Lead the commercial planning function across categories and channels
Translate business strategy and creative direction into integrated financial and merchandise planning frameworks
Analyse trading performance, customer behaviour and product trends to identify opportunities, risks and emerging patterns
Interrogate business assumptions and provide commercially grounded recommendations
Identify regional, category and behavioural trading trends to support proactive decision-making
Drive strategic thinking around inventory productivity, assortment effectiveness and commercial responsiveness
Accountable for delivering key commercial metrics, including sales, margin, stock turn and inventory productivity
Ensure product direction is supported by commercially viable and scalable planning decisions
Contribute to broader business planning, budgeting and commercial strategy discussions at the executive level
Data Interpretation & Business Intelligence
Interpret large volumes of commercial, inventory and trading data to generate meaningful business insight
Develop structured analytical frameworks to improve visibility and decision-making quality
Lead in-season and post-season analysis to improve forecasting and commercial performance
Build actionable reporting methodologies that simplify complex information into commercially usable insight
Identify underlying causes of trading shifts, stock performance variances and customer behaviour changes
Partner with leadership teams to support evidence-based commercial decisions
Provide clear, structured and data-driven input into senior decision-making forums
Forecasting, Inventory & Commercial Performance
Lead end-to-end planning across categories and channels
Oversee demand forecasting, assortment planning and inventory optimisation strategies
Improve forecasting responsiveness, planning agility and commercial decision-making speed
Ensure alignment between range plans, inventory investment, financial targets and trading performance
Drive stock productivity and working capital optimisation
Reduce aged stock exposure and markdown risk
Ensure effective allocation and replenishment strategies
Align planning outputs with supply chain execution capability and commercial objectives
Support pricing, replenishment and allocation decisions through analytical insight
Planning Capability & Systems Evolution
Drive the ongoing evolution of the Planning function toward a more insight-led and technology-enabled operating model
Lead the implementation, optimisation and enhancement of planning systems, tools and reporting capability
Partner closely with IT and relevant stakeholders to improve analytical tools, reporting visibility and planning efficiency
Support the evolution toward more automated and AI-enabled planning and reporting capability over time
Ensure integrity, accuracy and effective commercial use of planning and product data
Translate business requirements into practical process, system and operating model improvements
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, visibility and commercial responsiveness through better use of data and technology
Reduce manual intervention through improved reporting structures and smarter analytical processes
Leadership & Cross-Functional Influence
Lead and develop a commercially focused and analytically capable Planning function
Build stronger commercial thinking, analytical capability and systems utilisation within the team
Influence and align stakeholders across Creative, Retail, Buying, Supply Chain, Finance and IT
Operate as a key commercial thought partner to leadership
Drive accountability, structured thinking and continuous improvement across the function
Foster a culture of curiosity, commercial ownership and data-informed decision-making
Contribute to a high-performance environment focused on agility, collaboration and commercial excellence
What It Takes to Succeed:
Experience that sets you up for success:
At least 10+ years' experience within retail, commercial analytics, planning, business intelligence or related commercial functions
5+ years' experience in merchandise planning and forecasting
Proven experience operating in commercially complex retail or consumer-driven environments
Demonstrated track record of delivering sales, margin, inventory and commercial performance outcomes
Experience working cross-functionally with Planning, Finance, Retail, IT and Leadership teams
Exposure to reporting evolution, systems enhancement or data-driven transformation initiatives advantageous
Experience within premium retail, fashion, lifestyle or consumer-focused environments
Qualifications & Certifications that will contribute to your success:
A Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, Business Science, Finance, Statistics, Economics, Supply Chain, Data Analytics or related field is required
Postgraduate qualification advantageous
Exposure to BI, Power-BI, forecasting or planning systems advantageous
Exposure to evolving AI-enabled reporting or planning environments advantageous
Additional Requirements that will enhance your impact for success:
Strong commercial and financial acumen with advanced analytical capability
Ability to interpret data, identify patterns and convert insight into commercially actionable recommendations
Comfortable operating in fast-paced, evolving and commercially demanding environments
Ability to challenge assumptions constructively while balancing strategic thinking with operational execution
Advanced Excel and reporting capability
Strong analytical reasoning and structured problem-solving capability
Advanced data interpretation and commercial insight capability
High levels of intellectual curiosity, commercial judgement and accountability
Ability to simplify complexity and operate with both strategic and analytical focus
Strong adaptability, resilience and continuous improvement mindset
Ability to operate confidently within cross-functional and fast-moving commercial environments
Closing Date 30 September 2026