Senior Merchandise Planner

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Merchandise Planner to join a fast‑moving retail environment in Botswana. The role focuses on driving commercial performance through accurate forecasting, stock optimisation and strategic merchandise planning across apparel, footwear and fashion categories.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement departmental merchandise plans that align with the overall merchandise strategy.
• Manage budgets, forecasts and financial plans to meet sales, margin, growth and profitability targets.
• Create range, assortment and stock plans based on customer, store and commercial requirements.
• Oversee stock inflows and replenishment to maintain optimal availability and inventory levels.
• Monitor sales, stock and departmental performance, identify risks and opportunities, and take corrective action.
• Analyse historical performance, market trends and trading results to support business decisions.
• Provide timely planning reports, analysis and insights to key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Buying, Supply Chain, Logistics, Stores and other functions to ensure effective execution of merchandise plans.
• Conduct post‑season analysis and apply insights to improve future planning.
• Lead planning projects and initiatives as required.

Required profile

• Matric / Grade 12 (essential); tertiary qualification in Commerce, Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Statistics, Business Science, Supply Chain or related field (preferred).
• 5‑7+ years of merchandise/retail planning experience, preferably in apparel, footwear or fashion retail.
• Strong understanding of the retail merchandise cycle, including buying, planning, logistics and stores.
• Experience with seasonal and non‑seasonal replenishment and commercial KPIs.
• Commercially driven, analytical, detail‑oriented and results‑focused.

Required skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with merchandise planning or reporting systems.