Job Description

The Central Planner -Manufacturing is responsible for managing end-to-end seasonal and regional planning processes across multiple manufacturing partners. The role ensures effective alignment of supply and demand through strategic capacity planning, cost management, and cross-functional collaboration. This individual will play a key role in ensuring manufacturing plans are executed on time, at optimal cost, and with full alignment to the business strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic and Seasonal Planning

Prepare and maintain the seasonal factory listing. Develop and manage a three-year capacity projection based on factory expansion capabilities. Communicate seasonal calendars to merchandising planning teams. Prepare and present high-level seasonal strategy documents. Align seasonal demand with available capacity using Fast React planning tools. Monitor the alignment between seasonal, commitment, and roll-up plans, escalating material variances. Update seasonal manufacturing period dates in line with business timelines.

2. Factory Planning & Execution

Understand and implement the CMT manufacturing strategy. Review factory production plans to ensure timely and complete deliveries. Analyse cross-factory and brand performance to maximise regional output and delivery performance. Ensure CMT factory capacity and capability align with regional demand forecasts. Actualise and update manufacturing plans based on supply and demand fluctuations. Lead CMT cost negotiations for both program and replenishment styles. Manage CMT capability development to meet future business needs.

3. Planning Systems & Data Management

Review and validate planning data within Centric; identify and communicate discrepancies. Maintain master data within the Fast React system. Calculate manufacturing costs and ensure accurate seasonal updates to standard minute rates. Compile and distribute key reports, including weekly GAP/Overruns reports and monthly planning reviews. Analyse detailed data to identify process inefficiencies or risks, lead and manage the process of mitigating the risk.

4. Stakeholder Collaboration

Maintain strong working relationships with Merchandise, Planning Managers, Key Account Managers, and regional factory teams. Facilitate communication and resolution of operational queries from manufacturing partners. Agree on strategic CMTs with key stakeholders and ensure ongoing alignment.

5. Process Improvement

Follow and maintain both existing and new planning and operational processes. Continuously seek out, propose, and implement process improvements to support business growth and efficiency. Support ad-hoc planning tasks aligned with evolving business strategies and initiatives.

Required Skills and Experience:

Minimum 5 years' experience in manufacturing or supply chain planning, preferably in the apparel or textile industry. Strong understanding of capacity planning, production scheduling, and CMT operations. Experience with planning systems such as Centric and Fast React (or equivalent). Strong commercial acumen, including cost negotiations and scenario planning. Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and deliver under tight timelines. Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field (Advantage) Experience working across multiple regions or in a global supply chain environment.

Skills:

Proven analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage complex data sets. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a collaborative mindset. Advanced Excel and data analysis skills

Behaviors:

Builds Networks - establishes and nurtures internal and external relationships in order to create robust, and mutually beneficial, partnerships Collaborates - effectively works with others to achieve shared goals Communicates Effectively - conveys information and communicates ideas in a clear, concise and impactful manner Customer Focus - understands, anticipates, and meets the needs and expectations of customers 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 Persuades - effectively influences others by gaining support and commitment in the delivery of organisational goals and objectives Plans and Aligns - develops plans and prioritises initiatives that align to the organisational goals and objectives

Preference will be given, but not limited to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.