AmericanSwiss, Sterns, Mat & May and Prime Time

Senior Planning Manager for American Swiss - part of TFG

Expanding various Brands into the African market through reputable distribution partners. Market visits to the relevant regions with research of the local import / export regulations, exchange controls, supply chain and marketing opportunities. Assist local partners with strategy and action plans to ensure the growth in market share for our products.

Responsible for the Group Cellular Strategy, Logistics, Procurement and Marketing. Strategic direction to the 7 Retail Brands within the group and ensure that operational plans are delivered. Liaise with divisions to ensure a consistent marketing message. Allocation of marketing funds to divisions and ensure that utilised. Relationship with the mobile manufacturers such as Samsung, Nokia, LG, Motorolla, Sony and HTC. Driving group needs in terms of supply chain and process to be provided for by service providers. Align service provider logistics with group requirements. Ensure that divisional Financial matters on track to ensure a healthy relationship with service providers. Decentralised input in the divisional operations plans and strategy. Development of own team and indirect consulation with various divisions within the group and group training. Project Ownership for new business ventures within the technology offering. Various steering committee’s e.g. Rica, Consumer Protection Bill, BEE, Logistics, Operations Best Practice to ensure group aligned.

Merchandise Manager for Cellular products. Product and Location strategy and execution to detailed plans. Relationship building with key manufacturers and service provider. Marketing strategy along with in house marketing department and external service providers. Ensure systems and reporting utilised fully to facilitate the buy and sign off system requirements to streamline process. Reverse logistics on end of life product and repair units. Ensure all financial claims, returns , payments up to date with Finance Dept. Development of merchant thinking at store level through various quick tip and training materials. Interact with Central Planning to ensure that product, location structures adhered to. Working with Store Operations Admin to ensure that stock control adequate.

Management and Control of all business systems, processes and IT budget. Management of a strategic department created within the Group as per proposal approved by the Board. The primary objective was to ensure stability to the business processes by optimising system capability and to ensure that reporting, process and system gaps are eliminated. Strategic and operational engagement into a proper replenishment solution for beauty product and vendor replenishment options. Replacement of all key systems including the transaction system (ODBMS), AIM Planning, Assortment Plan and Buy Plan, Sizetrack, Commitment System and all interfaces and product flow between the relevant systems. Oversight of all materials, information and financial indicators and integration with the relevant systems. Ultimately the department had to ensure that proper flow is in place for Product, Information and Finance and to alert the Management Team and relevant Group Heads of improvement's required with relevant action plans. Close working relationship with Central Planning Department to ensure that project implementation and process changes not impacting on day to day flow of business. Best of all - It was great fun dealing with all the problems and issues. This position allowed me to truly understand retail and the relevant chain of supply. In a nutshell we created structure out of chaos.

Analysing business processes, trends and opportunities. Training of planners on new systems. Spec and implementation of new processes and systems. Ensure projects are delivered within the relevant business time frame and budget. Represent the division on various steering committee's to ensure consistency within the group and best practices shared.

Merchandise Planning in the Ladieswear Division for Knitwear. Product strategy and action plans for pre season and in season activity. Running programs with key vendors and managment of store planner.

Central Planning Systems and management of the buying cycle. Preparing divisional product and location plans for the new season. Ensure that corporate guidelines are adhered and exceptions approved. Maintaining product and location structures. Ensure adequate reporting and information flow. Control of the DC stock flow and alert departments to opportunities and potential bottle necks. Training of new planners on business systems.

Assortment Planning and Range Building in the Ladieswear Division for various categories such as Ladies Pants, Jackets, Shorts, T.shirts and Blouses.Setting Sales targets and relevant intake values to achieve KPI's of stock turn, clearance, markdown % and maintained margin. Planning and executing of supplier strategies and programs with key suppliers.Training of trainee planners and merchandise assistants. Monthly and seasonal strategies set and execution to plan reviewed on a weekly basis.

Started as a store manager at Pep and moving through the ranks ended as the joungest planner in the history of the company. Planning Schoolwear and Underwear Division at the time of leaving the Group.Plan stock requirements for 1050 stores, range build and assortment planning with the relevant buyers. OTB control, setting size curves and location planning.Planning promotional and peak trading periods and control of monthly and seasonal stock turn. Control mark downs and stock movement of obsolete styles.Supplier relationships

Management of a flagship store - Durbanville in Cape TownGeneral Store management which included merchandising, stock control, banking, key account control and staff training and management. It was great fun running your own store and to see how good planning and hard work resulted in higher than expected sales growth. Best of all was to notice how the staff all became much happier, more empowered and taking ownership.