Planner: Produce

Job Advert Summary

Join Woolworths in Cape Town as a Planner: Produce within our dynamic Foods division. In this pivotal role, you will optimise product availability, forecast customer demand, and manage inventory to drive profitable growth. Leverage your expertise in forecasting, replenishment, and retail systems to develop tactical plans that meet customer needs and enhance supply chain efficiency. Collaborate across departments to deliver innovative catalogue planning, align with store clusters, and monitor product performance. We seek a candidate with a Bachelor's degree or advanced diploma, strong analytical and leadership skills, and at least 7 years retail experience, ideally in commercial or clothing sectors. Woolworths is a proud South African brand committed to transformation and offers an empowering environment where your contributions directly impact success. Apply now to be part of a forward-thinking team that values strategic planning, customer insight, and continuous improvement in Western Cape's vibrant retail landscape.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or Advanced Diploma in Commerce, Retail, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years' retail experience, preferably in commercial, perishables, or clothing sectors.
• Strong proficiency in forecasting tools and statistical demand planning methodologies.
• In-depth knowledge of supply chain operations, including supplier, distribution centre, and store processes.
• Excellent analytical, numerical, and organisational skills with strong business acumen.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage inventory and replenishment plans aligned with strategic goals.
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities to drive performance and collaboration.
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills, able to influence cross-functional teams.
• Good computer literacy with advanced skills in office applications and retail management systems.
• Ability to perform under pressure, deliver results, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and manage accurate demand forecasts to optimise product availability and minimise waste.
• Coordinate with supply chain, distribution centres, and store teams to ensure seamless inventory replenishment.
• Analyse sales trends, stock turn, and waste metrics to inform strategic planning and drive category profitability.
• Establish and monitor operational KPIs including sales, service levels, stock cover, and forecast accuracy.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align department plans with overall category operating objectives.
• Lead and support the planning team to meet performance targets and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with stores and suppliers to enhance product flow and availability.
• Contribute to special event and promotional planning to optimise product assortment and sales impact.
• Ensure adherence to inventory control policies and implement improvements to forecasting and replenishment processes.
• Prepare detailed performance reports for department reviews and support decision-making processes.