Planner Vacancy at Ares Holdings – Cape Town, Western Cape

If you are an experienced retail planning professional with strong analytical skills and a passion for merchandise planning, forecasting, and inventory management, the Planner position at Ares Holdings in Cape Town offers an exciting opportunity to advance your career. This permanent role is ideal for professionals who enjoy using data to drive business decisions, optimise stock levels, and maximise retail profitability.

As one of South Africa’s leading retail companies representing internationally recognised lifestyle and sports brands, Ares Holdings provides employees with the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment where planning, collaboration, and commercial decision-making play a vital role in business success.

Applications close on 25 July 2026, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply before the deadline.

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About Ares Holdings

Ares Holdings is one of Southern Africa’s leading brand management and retail groups. The company manages and distributes several internationally recognised fashion, footwear, sportswear, and lifestyle brands through retail stores and e-commerce platforms.

Its business focuses on delivering premium customer experiences while ensuring strong financial performance through effective merchandising, inventory planning, and supply chain management.

Ares Holdings promotes innovation, collaboration, employee development, and responsible brand growth, making it an attractive employer for retail professionals seeking long-term career opportunities.

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Job Overview

• Position: Planner
• Company: Ares Holdings
• Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Department: Operations
• Industry: Retail
• Functional Area: Strategy / Planning
• Reporting To: Planning Manager
• Direct Reports: Junior Planner
• Experience Level: Mid-Senior

The Planner is responsible for forecasting demand, managing inventory, analysing sales trends, and developing merchandise plans that maximise sales while maintaining healthy stock levels and profitability.

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Purpose of the Position

The Planner plays a critical role in ensuring that the right products are available at the right time, in the right quantities, and at the right locations.

Working closely with Buying, Retail, Logistics, and Supply Chain teams, the successful candidate will translate business strategies into detailed merchandise plans that support financial targets and customer demand.

The role requires balancing sales growth, inventory investment, and profitability while minimising excess stock and stock shortages.

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Key Responsibilities

Merchandise Planning Strategy

The Planner will:

• Develop merchandise plans aligned with financial budgets.
• Drive sales, margin, and inventory targets.
• Lead seasonal planning activities.
• Manage Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning.
• Implement planning frameworks.
• Support strategic business objectives.

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Demand Forecasting and Sales Planning

Responsibilities include:

• Forecasting customer demand.
• Planning sales at SKU level.
• Analysing historical sales data.
• Reviewing market trends.
• Monitoring promotional performance.
• Updating monthly forecasts.
• Supporting assortment planning.
• Managing seasonal product planning.
• Monitoring in-season trading.
• Planning retail replenishment.
• Optimising product allocations.
• Managing stock inflows.

Accurate forecasting helps improve product availability while reducing inventory costs.

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Inventory Optimisation

The Planner will also:

• Monitor inventory levels.
• Improve stock turnover.
• Reduce markdown risks.
• Minimise stock shortages.
• Support promotional planning.
• Oversee replenishment activities.
• Manage stock allocations.
• Coordinate inter-store transfers.
• Ensure healthy inventory levels.
• Maintain inventory accuracy across stores and e-commerce platforms.

Effective inventory management contributes directly to improved profitability.

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Data Analysis and Reporting

The role requires extensive use of business data.

Responsibilities include:

• Analysing sales performance.
• Preparing inventory reports.
• Monitoring gross profit.
• Tracking stock ageing.
• Identifying business trends.
• Producing planning dashboards.
• Presenting recommendations.
• Supporting strategic decision-making.

Strong analytical skills are essential for success.

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Team Leadership

The Planner will supervise Junior Planners and contribute to people development by:

• Coaching employees.
• Providing mentorship.
• Setting performance goals.
• Managing performance reviews.
• Supporting career development.
• Promoting teamwork.
• Handling performance-related matters.
• Working closely with Human Capital Management.

Strong leadership contributes to building a high-performing planning team.

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Minimum Requirements

Applicants should possess:

Education

• A tertiary qualification in:
  • Retail
  • Merchandising
  • Business
  • Supply Chain
  • Or a related field

Experience

• At least three years of merchandise or inventory planning experience.
• Demand forecasting experience.
• Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning experience.
• Sales planning experience.
• Inventory optimisation experience.
• Retail replenishment experience.
• Experience working with Buying and Supply Chain teams.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience using ERP or planning systems such as SAP or Oracle.

A solid understanding of retail trading cycles and inventory management principles is essential.

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Why This Job Is Worth Applying For

The Planner position offers an excellent opportunity to influence business performance while working for one of South Africa’s leading retail organisations.

Benefits of this role include:

• Permanent employment.
• Exposure to internationally recognised brands.
• Strategic decision-making responsibilities.
• Leadership experience.
• Professional career development.
• Cross-functional collaboration.
• Opportunities to improve analytical skills.
• Exposure to advanced retail planning systems.
• Involvement in commercial business strategy.
• Long-term career progression opportunities.

Professionals seeking a career in retail planning, merchandising, or supply chain management will gain valuable experience in this role.

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Skills That Increase Your Chances

Employers seek candidates with a combination of technical expertise and leadership ability.

Skills that strengthen your application include:

• Merchandise planning.
• Demand forecasting.
• Inventory management.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Financial analysis.
• Retail mathematics.
• Data analysis.
• Business intelligence.
• Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning.
• Supply chain knowledge.
• ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• Power BI or data visualisation tools.
• Commercial awareness.
• Strategic thinking.
• Leadership.
• Coaching and mentoring.
• Negotiation skills.
• Communication skills.
• Time management.
• Problem-solving.

Candidates with strong analytical abilities and commercial awareness are particularly attractive to employers.

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Career Growth Opportunities

Planning is one of the most important functions within modern retail businesses.

Successful Planners may progress into positions such as:

• Senior Planner
• Merchandise Planning Manager
• Planning Manager
• Head of Planning
• Merchandise Manager
• Buying Manager
• Category Manager
• Supply Chain Manager
• Inventory Manager
• Commercial Manager
• Operations Manager
• Retail Executive
• General Manager
• Commercial Director

Large retail organisations like Ares Holdings often provide structured career development programmes for high-performing employees.

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Interview Preparation Tips

Preparing thoroughly can significantly improve your chances of securing this position.

Before your interview:

• Research Ares Holdings and its retail brands.
• Understand merchandise planning principles.
• Review retail inventory KPIs.
• Practise explaining forecasting methods.
• Refresh your Microsoft Excel skills.
• Be prepared to discuss previous planning projects.
• Demonstrate leadership experience.
• Prepare examples of solving inventory problems.
• Review financial terminology.
• Dress professionally.

Common interview questions may include:

• Describe your planning process.
• How do you forecast demand?
• What is Open-to-Buy (OTB)?
• How do you reduce excess inventory?
• Explain stock turn and sell-through.
• How do you prioritise competing demands?
• Describe a difficult planning challenge you solved.
• How do you work with Buying and Supply Chain teams?

Providing practical examples from previous employment will strengthen your responses.

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Similar Jobs Available

Professionals interested in this position may also consider careers such as:

• Merchandise Planner
• Inventory Planner
• Demand Planner
• Supply Planner
• Inventory Controller
• Category Planner
• Merchandise Analyst
• Retail Analyst
• Commercial Analyst
• Supply Chain Planner
• Procurement Planner
• Replenishment Planner
• Stock Controller
• Buying Assistant
• Category Manager

These careers offer excellent long-term opportunities within retail, logistics, and supply chain management.

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Industry Salary Expectations

Retail planning professionals are among the most sought-after specialists in South Africa’s retail industry. Salaries vary according to experience, qualifications, company size, and responsibilities.

Typical monthly salary expectations include:

• Junior Merchandise Planner: Approximately R22,000 to R32,000 per month.
• Planner: Approximately R35,000 to R55,000 per month.
• Senior Planner: Approximately R55,000 to R75,000 per month.
• Planning Manager: Approximately R70,000 to R120,000+ per month.

Many retail organisations also provide attractive employee benefits, including:

• Annual performance bonuses
• Pension or provident fund contributions
• Medical aid
• Staff discounts
• Hybrid or flexible working arrangements (where applicable)
• Training and development programmes
• Leadership development opportunities

Actual salaries depend on the employer, location, level of responsibility, and overall business performance.

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Tips for a Successful Application

To improve your chances of being shortlisted:

• Update your CV with relevant planning experience.
• Highlight measurable achievements, such as improved stock turn, increased sales, or reduced markdowns.
• Showcase your Microsoft Excel and ERP system expertise.
• Include examples of demand forecasting and inventory optimisation.
• Demonstrate leadership and mentoring experience.
• Mention cross-functional collaboration with Buying and Supply Chain teams.
• Proofread your application carefully.
• Submit your application before the closing date of 25 July 2026.

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Final Thoughts

The Planner vacancy at Ares Holdings is an outstanding opportunity for experienced retail planning professionals who enjoy using data, forecasting, and strategic thinking to improve business performance. This role offers the chance to work with leading retail brands while influencing merchandising decisions, inventory performance, and financial results.

If you have strong analytical skills, experience in merchandise planning, and a passion for retail strategy, this position provides an excellent platform for long-term career growth. With opportunities for leadership, professional development, and advancement into senior commercial roles, it is an attractive career move for ambitious planning professionals.

Click here to apply for this post if it is still open for application: Apply

Note: This job has been verified by contacting the employer directly. You may also contact the employer to further make verifications before you apply.