Retail Demand Planning & Allocation Specialist
Executive Placements · Germiston
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Start free — we apply for you →Our client, an established retail leader known for its extensive store network and dynamic product categories, seeks a dedicated Retail Demand Planning & Allocation Specialist to join their team. This role offers significant responsibility in shaping demand forecasts, optimizing stock levels, and supporting strategic decisions across the business.
Duties
Build and maintain rolling 52-week forecasts at SKU, category, and store/cluster levels using Netstock, BI tools, and historical sales data
Develop baseline, seasonal, and event-based forecasts for key retail periods such as back-to-school, Christmas, and peak seasons
Collaborate with Category Managers to model demand trends and anticipate supply constraints based on supplier intelligence
Generate demand scenarios for new ranges, promotions, and assortment adjustments to inform merchandising strategies
Lead monthly Demand Review meetings with Retail Merchandising, Planning Managers, and Category Managers, incorporating insights from operations and supply chain teams
Identify forecasting risks early, escalating issues to senior management for prompt resolution
Set and review inventory parameters including min-max levels, safety stock, and reorder points to optimise stock across branches
Oversee allocation runs and auto-replenishment rules, ensuring stores receive appropriate stock based on demand and capacity
Monitor weeks of cover (WOC) and adjust replenishment strategies proactively to meet targets
Manage stock levels to prevent overstocks and aged inventory through markdowns, SKU rationalization, and inter-branch transfers
Support promotional planning by modeling performance uplift and preparing buy quantities
Post-event, analyse forecast accuracy to foster continuous improvement and reduce margin leakage
Maintain and enhance data integrity within Netstock and forecasting tools
Prepare comprehensive dashboards on stock availability and coverage for ongoing monitoring
Ensure alignment of master data with space capacity, product hierarchy, and planogram assumptions
Conduct regular audits to uphold data quality for forecasting and allocation accuracy
Coordinate with cross-functional teams through Sales & Operations Planning meetings to ensure cohesive planning
Support strategic initiatives via ad-hoc analysis, investigating demand anomalies and supply disruptions
Requirements
3-5 years of solid experience in demand planning, forecasting, or allocation within a multi-store retail environment
Proficiency with inventory management systems such as Netstock or similar tools
Strong experience with BI tools li
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