Overview
Merchandise Planning & Buying Manager Jobs in Port Elizabeth, South Africa at Staff Unlimited Recruitment
My client is looking for a commercially driven and analytically strong Merchandise Planning & Buying Manager to lead planning, forecasting, buying, inventory, and merchandising functions across multiple footwear brands.
This is a hands-on role suited to someone who thrives in a growing entrepreneurial business and can balance commercial decision-making with operational execution.
Duties include:
- Develop seasonal merchandise and demand plans
- Forecast sales, stock, and production requirements
- Manage inventory levels, replenishment, and stock flow
- Analyse product performance, margins, sell-through, and stock turn
- Support buying decisions and assortment planning
- Coordinate planning across retail, wholesale, ecommerce, and manufacturing
- Drive reporting, dashboards, and commercial insights
- Manage OTB (Open-to-Buy) planning and stock allocation
- Support launch readiness and seasonal trading plans
Requirements
- 4–8 years’ relevant experience in merchandise planning, buying, or inventory management
- Footwear, fashion, apparel, or retail planning experience essential
- Manufacturing exposure advantageous
- Strong forecasting, analytical, and reporting ability
- Advanced Excel essential
- Experience with ERP, POS, inventory, and ecommerce systems
- Understanding of retail mathematics, stock planning, and margin analysis
Advantageous Skills
- Power BI
- Shopify analytics
- SQL / advanced reporting tools
- Manufacturing ERP systems
Ideal Candidate
? Highly analytical
? Commercially minded
? Detail-oriented
? Proactive and adaptable
? Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced SME environment
Title: Merchandise Planning & Buying Manager
Company: Staff Unlimited Recruitment
Location: Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Category: