Job Description

Position summary
Industry: FMCG & Supply Management
Job category: Supply and Demand
Location: Cape Town
Contract: Permanent
EE position: Yes
About our company
Clicks Group
Introduction
Clicks is looking to recruit a Senior Demand Planner. The Purpose of this role is to ensure effective demand and statistical forecasting for assigned categories in order to drive profitability through increased sales, improved margins, and working capital productivity.
Job description
Job objectives
xc2xb7 To be accountable for forecast accuracy within the allocated categories
xc2xb7 To be accountable for optimized inventory levels within the allocated categories and minimum order quantity within the allocated categories
xc2xb7 To partner with the Category Managers on the development of pre-season sales, markdown, margin, and inventory plans
xc2xb7 To analyze and propose to the merchandising department top line shifts in the assortment investment at the category level
xc2xb7 At the category level monitor projections, inventory flow and seasonal sell-off plans as well as validate monthly forecast for open to buy management
xc2xb7 To recognize and reconcile forecast exceptions to track and manage sales against forecast and validate forecast for OTB management
xc2xb7 To determine causal factors impacting forecasts and respond appropriately, (weather, moving events, promotions etc.)
xc2xb7 To ensure effective stakeholder management and engagement in order to determine trends, identify new products, evaluate risks and determine inventory and replenishment requirements
xc2xb7 To generate and deliver accurate and timely management reports and maintain key metrics against goals in order to analyze forecast performance and ensure forecast accuracy and inventory optimization
xc2xb7 To effectively analyze post promotional and event data to determine opportunities and improve future forecasts
xc2xb7 To effectively lead and prepare for the consensus forecast meetings with key stakeholders in order to enhance key insights and decisions taken
xc2xb7 To ensure the effective execution of the range review process and decision making in order to assist the Category Team to determine optimal range.
Minimum requirements
Job related knowledge
Essential
xc2xb7 Retail / FMCG Demand Forecasting, Supply Chain and Logistics
xc2xb7 Data analysis models
xc2xb7 Ability to understand and fine tune algorithms for optimal forecast performance
xc2xb7 Execution of the new stores / lines / products process using required commercial acumen
xc2xb7 Understanding of the consistent management and planning of the supplier base performance metrics, promotional planning cycle, product lifecycle, supply chain optimization for their products, business analysis and reporting.
Desirable:
xc2xb7 Financial planning models and methodologies
xc2xb7 Understanding of customer needs and wants, trends, competitive environment and market share.
Job related skills
Essential:
xc2xb7 Causal factor determination and event driven adjustments
xc2xb7 Deep analytical skills
xc2xb7 Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, to build relationships and drive consensus and collaboration across functional groups Clicks Group
xc2xb7 Business math acumen and analysis to comprehend financial information and reporting to make business decisions
xc2xb7 Forecasting consumer trends and buying habits 9 - 24 months in the future
xc2xb7 Complex decision making based on statistics, trends and opinions
xc2xb7 Presentation skills with focus being on oral and written communication skills
xc2xb7 Proficiency on MS Office Excel, Word, Outlook and Power Point, spreadsheets, databases
xc2xb7 Complex Problem solving
xc2xb7 Retail financial & mathematical calculations (e.g. variance to last year, percent of total, turn, Open-to-Buy)
xc2xb7 Strong negotiating and influencing skills
Job experience
Essential:
xc2xb7 Strong planning and buying experience with solid understanding of financial and statistical analysis of both
xc2xb7 5 years' experience with in Demand Planning in a retail / FMCG environment
xc2xb7 Distributions requirement planning and other supply chain processes such as production planning, scheduling and transportation
Desirable:
xc2xb7 2 - 4 years planning and executing projects Experience with retail buying or logistics preferred
xc2xb7 Supply chain software knowledge (BY / EP) advantageous
Education
xc2xb7 Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Math, Decision Science, Marketing, Business, related area or equivalent experience
Job related competencies:

• Leading & Deciding
• Supporting and Cooperating
• Interacting and Presenting
• Analyzing and Interpreting
• Creating and Conceptualizing
• Organizing and Executing