Retail Planning: Systems and Process Manager

takealot.com, South Africa's leading online retailer, is looking for an exceptional Central Planning Manager: Systems and Processes  to join our Retail Team in Cape Town.

We are a young, dynamic, hyper growth company looking for smart, creative, hard-working people with integrity to join us. We offer a market related, Total Remuneration Package which allows full flexibility according to your needs, a great work environment and a promise that you won’t be bored as long as you are prepared for a challenge and want to build something great.

This position reports to the Head of Planning 

Your responsibilities will include:

• Create sustainable In-stock systems and processes in partnership with central analytics, technical and product teams
• Manage the top-down budgeting plan cycle and reviews in line with performance, margin, stock turn & business strategy objectives
• Own and compile the annual retail sales budget, half year plans, working plan as well as on-going re-forecasting at division levels to ensure budgets are achieved
• Drive complex business analysis that identifies opportunities to improve cost structure and profitability, focusing on continual contribution margin improvements.
• Support the operations team in managing supplier returns through ensuring that collection objectives are met
• Deliver accurate insights and reports on a timely basis on which buyers and planners can base commercial decisions and deliver on revenue, margin and stock plans
• Spec reports and apps based on merch team requirements and liaise with BI to get reports and apps implemented
• Manage clearance process
• Input into Planning Strategic Roadmap
• Manage design and development of planning systems and processes
• Manage continuous improvement of planning systems and processes including testing, roll-out and training.
• Manage data/information transfer between Planning and various business stakeholders i.e Finance, Supply Chain and BI
• Develop and maintain the buying/planning critical path

Qualification & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• 7+ years of experience in inventory planning, operations, retail, consulting and/or finance, with a history of owning/driving results
• Proven experience leading cross-functional projects
• Experience working with large and complex data sets to drive business decisions
• Highly skilled in process development and improvement
• Strong numerical and analytical aptitude, and high proficiency creating and managing advanced models
• Strong proficiency in using analytical tools (Microsoft Excel, SQL and statistical software

Attributes Required:

• Strong willingness to learn
• Entrepreneurial / Commercial mindset
• Exceptional problem solving & analytical skills
• Ability to influence and inspire action in others, with or without a direct reporting line
• Proactive attitude and willingness to roll up sleeves and dig deep to achieve high level goals

The Environment: 

• takealot.com employees are entrepreneurial and dynamic, smart, customer- centric, fun and have the shared ambition of takealot.com being the leading e- commerce company in Africa. 
• We have fun, work hard, take ownership, work in teams to create solutions, and are always open to direct feedback/new ideas on where we can improve. 
• We are short on ego and high on output. 
• We are doers and not only thinkers, its all in the execution after all. 
• We love what we do and what we are creating.
• We seek to employ an Extra Ordinary Mind who is Smart, has Integrity, and is Hardworking. 

If you meet the above you are an Extraordinary Mind so come and join us! 

Takealot Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from the previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities, to apply.