Product Planner needed at Barron

JOB PURPOSE

• The purpose of the Planner is to forecast product needs based on sales histories and develop a product line plan that assures the profitability of a product category. 

JOB OBJECTIVES

Forecasting and budget management

• Accountable for planned revenue, forecast as well as achieving set budget by reviewing product lines and product line productivity, ensuring that there are enough items per product line to meet targets, suggesting items for last buy, identifying redundant stock as well as products for promotion.
• Responsible for Managing New Product budget, by making sure that new product presented by Buyer does not exceed budget.
• Monitor and show responsibility on achieving key performance indicators (KPIs) (i.e., sales plan, gross profit, cost reductions, stock turns, and closing stock).  Assess and highlight areas of positive performance and identify areas where improvement is required, and implement appropriate action for their area of control

Management of product line per category

• Responsible for managing the current stock on record and product life cycle by conducting research, analyzing consumer trends, looking for opportunities within Barron competitors as well as working with the Buyer to develop features in existing products to suit specific target markets.

Stock Management according to sales

• Plan stock level requirements according to forecast and budgeted stock turns
• Manage clearance at appropriate times
• Assess performance weekly of SKU’s and manage stock levels up and down in order to meet required sales
• Analyse and evaluate Key Performance Indicators (i.e., sales plans, cost reductions, forward covers, Chain Sales to Stock Ratio (CSS) and stockturn). Consider trends, supplier efficiency and lead times when under their area of control reviewing recommendations

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Qualification

• NQF 7: Degree in Finance/ Economics / Supply Chain Management

Knowledge

• Financial Modelling
• Forecasting and Product management
• Product Cycle Management
• Data management
• Financial Acumen
• Merchandise Cycle
• Managing Budgets
• Range Construction

Experience

• Product Planner 3-5 Years
• Wholesale or retail experience 3-5 years
• Experience with financial forecasting of a product range 2-3 years