Planner

Role Overview

LA Brands is seeking a Planner to support commercial planning, forecasting, inventory control, and margin performance across brands, categories, and sub-categories. The role is based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and focuses on improving stock availability, strengthening sales performance, and supporting business decision-making with accurate analysis and reporting.

Planning and Forecasting

• Prepare post-season analysis and assortment plans for presentation to the business.
• Create and present seasonal roll-up reports for management review and corporate approval.
• Work with Sales and Management to set monthly, seasonal, and annual sales targets using orders, current stock levels, and expected future deliveries.
• Review seasonal buy plans to ensure they align with the critical path and key business timelines.
• Build long-range demand forecasts for core stock items to help maintain full availability of never-out-of-stock products.

Margin and Profitability Management

• Develop budgets for the business by brand, category, and sub-category for management approval.
• Work out landed costs for imported products and establish margin targets by brand, category, and sub-category.
• Manage seasonal mark-ups so commercial goals and profitability targets are achieved.
• Review supplier shipment updates and assess the effect of any delays on locally made or imported products.

Sales and Inventory Management

• Analyse seasonal stock to support effective inventory control and improve sell-through.
• Provide analysis and insights to Buyers and Key Account Managers to help drive successful sell-in.
• Track weekly sales order processing to spot possible stock shortages early and take corrective action to support fulfilment.
• Check open sales orders against purchase orders and prepare Net Requirements Reports to identify oversell situations.
• Prepare monthly reports on sales, stock, and margin KPIs for senior management.

Stock Management

• Produce weekly inventory reports to support stock management across the business.
• Respond to aged inventory by identifying high-risk categories and applying sell-through strategies with Sales and Key Account Managers.
• Prepare ATS (Available to Sell) reports and work with Sales and Buying teams on action plans to reduce stock levels.

Key Attributes

• Highly action-focused with a strong drive to deliver results.
• Able to stay resilient and adjust quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Commercially minded with strong strategic thinking.
• Effective communicator who can work well across different functions.
• Motivated by success and brand growth.

Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a similar discipline is required.
• Applicants should have 3 to 5 years of experience in merchandise planning, procurement, or demand planning.
• Advanced Excel capability, along with strong working knowledge of MS Office and online research tools, is needed.
• Experience with D365/Dynamix or a comparable ERP platform is a plus.
• Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to work accurately and meet deadlines, is required.
• Negotiation ability and supplier relationship management experience are important.
• Prior use of demand forecasting tools will be an advantage.