The Merchandise Planner will be responsible for driving sales and profitability through effective merchandise financial planning, stock management, forecasting, and cross-functional collaboration. The successful candidate will work closely with buying, allocation, and operations teams to ensure optimal product performance and stock efficiency across the business. Duties & Responsibilities Analyse sales, stock, and product performance to identify opportunities and risks Assist with trade planning and provide actionable insights to improve sales and profitability Work closely with buying, allocation, logistics, marketing, finance, and store operations teams Manage stock levels and assist with OTB (Open-to-Buy) management Monitor weekly, monthly, and seasonal performance to support planning decisions Assist in developing pre-season sales, margin, and inventory plans Create and update forecasts based on current trade performance and trends Support inventory optimization to improve sell-through and reduce markdowns Coordinate replenishment and stock allocation activities Monitor aged stock and assist with stock health management Participate in assortment planning and product allocation processes Assist with store grading and unit buy calculations Support range planning and assortment strategies aligned to business goals Maintain accurate planning reports and trade documentation Desired Experience & Qualification Grade 12 / Matric Relevant 3-year Degree or Diploma in Business, Retail Management, Supply Chain, or similar 57 years retail planning experience within fashion apparel, accessories, or footwear Strong understanding of forecasting, budgeting, retail KPIs, and inventory management Advanced Excel and planning systems proficiency Experience using planning and BI tools