Senior Planner At JD Sports – Apply Now!

🌟 Ready to Step into a Game-Changing Retail Planning Role?

JD Sports – a global leader in branded sports and leisurewear – is searching for an experienced Senior Planner to join its dynamic team in the Western Cape, South Africa. As the exclusive retail partner to TFG, JD Sports combines powerhouse brands like Nike, adidas, New Balance, and The North Face with strong private labels, delivering a premium retail experience.

If you thrive in a high-paced, data-driven environment and are passionate about driving merchandise performance, this is your chance to help shape the strategic future of a global retail icon.

🔍 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead and manage sales, markdown, stock, and margin performance
✅ Build strategic, operational, and tactical plans across merchandise categories
✅ Optimize range assortments at store level in partnership with buyers
✅ Ensure in-season and forward budget alignment with Open-To-Buy (OTB) principles
✅ Analyze weekly sales performance and drive responsive actions
✅ Prepare in-depth reports and performance updates for senior stakeholders
✅ Influence cross-functional collaboration (buying, planning, marketing, VM, operations)
✅ Execute grading, allocation, and delivery plans
✅ Propose and implement markdown strategies
✅ Participate in store visits for real-time insights

📚 Qualifications & Experience

🎓 Diploma or Degree (Graduate/Postgraduate) in Business, Retail or related field
📈 5+ years proven experience in retail planning (experience in sportswear/brands is a plus)
💡 Strong numeracy, analytical thinking, and strategic planning skills
🖥️ Proficient in Microsoft Office and retail systems

🧠 Skills & Competencies

✔ Strong business acumen and merchant mentality
✔ Excellent time management and organisational skills
✔ Problem-solving, negotiation, and decision-making abilities
✔ Confident communicator and team collaborator
✔ Strategic thinker with detailed execution skills

💼 What Sets You Apart?

• You’re a proactive influencer and change agent

• You plan with purpose and lead with insight

• You thrive on accountability and performance delivery

• You build partnerships that drive results

🌐 Find similar jobs at:
https://careerjunctionza.co.za/jobs/

✍️ CV Tips for a Senior Planner Role:

📌 Highlight Your Numbers: Employers want to see the results you’ve achieved. Quantify your impact—e.g., “Improved stock turnover by 25%.”
📌 Show Tech Proficiency: List software and systems you’re confident with, especially retail analytics tools and Excel.
📌 Be Strategy-Focused: Talk about planning strategy, budgeting, OTB, and how you contributed to company goals.
📌 Team Collaboration: Mention cross-functional team work and leadership in planning or buying environments.
📌 Tailor Your Summary: Use your career summary to align with the core competencies of this role (e.g., analytical thinking, sales strategy, retail cycle).

📍 Location: Western Cape, South Africa
🌐 Company Website: www.tfg.co.za