Job Description
The Central Planner III is responsible for leading the management of pre-season and in-season store plans and identifying opportunities for stock turn improvements. They oversee the preparation of pre-season store plans, manage and strategize new and revamp store viabilities, and collaborate with the allocation team to execute allocation and assortment strategies. They also mentor and guide junior planners
Responsibilities
Lead the management of pre-season and in-season store plans.
Identify and implement opportunities for stock turn improvements.
Oversee the preparation and execution of pre-season store plans.
Manage and strategize new store openings, revamps, and store viability assessments.
Collaborate with the Allocation team to develop and execute allocation and assortment strategies.
Monitor, analyse, and optimise store stock levels and performance to drive commercial outcomes.
Develop, maintain, and enhance dashboards and reporting tools using Power BI, Qlik Sense, or similar Business Intelligence platforms.
Compile, analyse, and present Management Packs, trading reports, and business performance insights to key stakeholders.
Transform complex datasets into actionable business insights and strategic recommendations.
Provide data-driven analysis to support business planning, forecasting, inventory management, and decision-making.
Partner closely with Merchandise Planning, Buying, Allocation, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to ensure alignment with overall merchandise strategy.
Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across multiple business functions, influencing decision-making at all levels.
Present findings, recommendations, and performance updates to both operational and leadership teams.
Identify business risks and opportunities through robust analytical and reporting practices.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives by leveraging data, analytics, and commercial insights.
Provide strategic feedback and recommendations to improve store performance, inventory productivity, and profitability.
Mentor, coach, and develop junior planners, fostering a high-performance planning culture.
Qualifications
Minimum relevant tertiary qualification
Tertiary qualification in Data Analytics, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field would be advantageous
Minimum 5 years' relevant experience within a planning, analytics, merchandise planning, or retail environment
Proven experience developing and managing Location Plans Proven experience creating and implementing allocation Strategies would be advantageous
Experience creating dashboards using Power BI, Qlik Sense, or similar business Intelligence tools
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with strong analytical and reporting capabilities
Skills:
Analytical Skills
Commercial Acumen
Advanced Excel & BI Reporting
Inventory & Stock Management
Forecasting & Planning
Stakeholder Management
Data Interpretation & Insights
Problem Solving
Strategic Thinking
Cross-functional Collaboration
Presentation & Communication Skills
Leadership & Mentoring
Behaviours:
Being Resilient - rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
Building Effective Teams - forms, develops and leads a group of individuals toward the achievement of a common team objective
Builds Networks - establishes and nurtures internal and external relationships in order to create robust, and mutually beneficial, partnerships
Cultivates Innovation - creates an environment that fosters and nurtures a culture of creativity which drives success
Decision Quality - consistently makes timely, well-rounded and informed decisions
Drives Engagement - inspires, motivates and empowers individuals to go above and beyond for the benefit of the team and the organisation
Ensures Accountability - takes accountability and ensures others are held to account on agreed upon performance targets
Manages Complexity - interprets and simplifies complex and contradictory information when resolving organisational problems
Organisational Savvy - understands and navigates dynamics created by processes, systems, and people
Situational Adaptability - effectively adjusts their behaviour, approach, and decision-making based on the situation
Strategic Mindset - thinks and plans strategically, focusing on the long-term goals and objectives of the organisation