Job Description: Retail Planner

Position               : Retail Planner

Department         : F&B/LCB Marketing

Location              : Cape Town

Contract Type      : Permanent

Reporting to        : Marketing Executive with dotted line to Key Accounts Executive

Purpose of the Role

The Retail Planner is a key resource for driving optimal stock & sales and has a keen eye for detail based on data and trends that provides strategic insights and recommendations of actions to the business – the role co-ordinates these actions by partnering with relevant departments/teams ensuring we have the right stock in the right doors to drive sales and market share growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

BUSINESS PERFORMANCE – SALES

• Partner with Brand Team and Key Accounts Executive (KAE) to set sell-in and sell-out budgets – at brand, retailer and category level.
• Partner with Brand Team to provide data-driven input to complete monthly sales forecasting (including promotional forecasting) as accurately as possible (sell-in and sell-out).
• Partner with Brand Team to accurately set and achieve annual wholesale budgets for the brand and formulate plans to drive sell-out and alleviate any sales deficits.
• Work with the Brand Team and Sales Team to effectively set global sell out targets for the brands.
• Partner with Brand Team and provide data-driven input to build sell-out targets by mall, by brand, by retailer, by door annually and manage reforecasts monthly.
• Monitor, analyse and communicate performance of all brands including new launches and promos – ensure the right stock is in the right doors in the right quantities at the right time to drive sell-out and sell-in.
• Monitor retail inventory to ensure brand stock levels by door by retailer meet both the brand and organisational requirements – ensure actions are executed timeously.

ANALYSIS, INSIGHTS AND REPORTING

• Understands the retail environment through data analysis of each retailer to provide information on opportunities that further informs brand strategies.
• Analyse stock and sales reports on a weekly basis to provide insights by door, by brand and by retailer for all brands within portfolio – provide insights to the greater team to generate sales and marketing actions.
• Analyse retailer stock levels to identify opportunities and challenges to optimise sell-out and stockturn by SKU by store – build recommended actions accordingly.
• Sales reports and analysis by brand to internal and external stakeholders (monthly/annually/quarterly).
• Assist and support the Key Accounts Executive to deliver all weekly and monthly reports.

STOCK MANAGEMENT - RETAIL

• Analyse and interpret sales and stock trends to provide actionable insights, identification of gaps/opportunities and data-driven business decisions.
• Formulate strategies for slow moving inventory and days stock cover to ensure optimal stock levels that supports business growth.
• Guide and support the execution of planograms by analysing each brand and the respective stock model requirements vs. sales potential.
• Conduct competitive analysis to refine stock strategies ensuring that PCG remains agile and responsive to market trends.
• Oversee the management of critical SKUs.
• Develop centralised reporting frameworks to track core in-stock metrics enabling clear visibility and timely interventions.
• Collaborate with Brand Team to ensure that promotions are executed with sufficient stock availability reducing missed sales opportunities and ensuring customer satisfaction (saleable and non-saleable stock).
• Monitor promotional in-stock levels to minimise out-of-stocks during key sales events.
• Maintain inventory expectations at store level to resolve any discrepancies and maintain operational consistency.

SALES TEAM SUPPORT

• Guide the Sales Team on best practices and how to manage stock efficiently at store level.
• Work with the sales team on store gridding and localisation.
• Supports KAE where retailer head office escalations are required to help resolve any issues around DI, stock input requests.
• Partner with the Sales team to ensure optimal usage and allocation of non-saleable stock – drive productivity.
• Provide insights and guidance on overstocks and understocks ensuring data-driven actions.
• Builds weekly new product trackers to track new launches versus prior launches.
• Management of out of stocks with sales team.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT

• Build optimal relationships with all PCG retail partners.
• Partner with Key Accounts Executive to ensure effective and efficient monthly retailer meetings.
• Partner with the brand team on commercials and participate in meetings with Brand Principals as required.
• Ensure that all work submitted is accurate and complete supported by relevant data – build and maintain trust and credibility.
• Build and maintain relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.

LEADERSHIP AND CULTURE

• Manage own personal development through your PDP (Personal Development Plan). Request training and feedback on performance at least once a month and strive to improve based on these interventions.
• Adhere to and live the company's values.
• Be an active participant and ambassador in all culture initiatives and activities.
• Take responsibility for all issues facing the department, work as a team and mentor/coach new team members as required.
• Communicate with your line manager regularly and make recommendations on improving efficiencies and effectiveness in the department.
• Contribute positively to create a harmonious working environment for all team members.
• Build meaningful connections with all stakeholders.

COMPETENCIES

• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Working with People
• Writing and Reporting
• Persuading and Influencing
• Planning and Organising
• Delivering Results & Meeting Customer Expectations
• Adapting and responding to change
• Coping with pressures and setbacks
• Analysing
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Commerce/Business Degree
• At least 3-4 years’ work experience in a retail environment
• Strong analytical ability and commercial acumen
• Retail planning experience is required
• Proven knowledge of MS packages Excel/Word/PowerPoint
  • Advanced Excel: Non-negotiable
• Experience using Power BI is advantageous