Retail Assortment Planner

Assortment planners play a critical role in the strategic success of retail operations by ensuring the right product mix is available to meet consumer demand. At DotActiv, we are looking for data-driven professionals to help us transform in-store experiences by using deep analytical insights to recommend customer-centric assortment plans.

With a starting Cost to Company of between R20 000 and R30 000 per month, we are searching for individuals who excel in data modeling, strategic planning, and problem-solving within an innovative environment.

Who Is DotActiv?

In order to explain who DotActiv is, it’s first important to explore the topic of category management. That’s because category management is a core part of our business and has been for the past 25 years.

The idea behind category management is straightforward: it’s the process used to manage product categories to deliver value to shoppers in a bid to increase both the sales and profit for a retailer. In short, it is the science behind how retailers decide on which products to stock as well as how to organise these products in-store so as to please their customers.

Our history dates back to 1991 when we launched as a Category Management consultancy. In 1997, we became the first company to establish a formalised and collaborative management process between a retailer and supplier when we signed Pick n Pay as a client. That wasn’t our only first. In 2001, when we relaunched under the name of DotActiv, we became the first company to create a data-driven category management system. The fact that we have since expanded and evolved that system means today, we have more than 2000 retail professionals using our planogram software in over 110 countries.

What You Can Expect From This Job

As an Assortment Planner, your primary focus will be the analytical "heavy lifting" behind product selection to ensure every SKU on the shelf earns its place. Your responsibilities include:

• Strategic Assortment Planning: Using specialized software to create data-driven assortment plans that balance consumer demand with physical space constraints.
• Cluster Analysis: Analyse cluster plans per product category to optimise the ranges within the clusters.
• The Right Product Mix: Ensuring the ideal variety and breadth of products are available at the right locations to meet specific shopper needs and preferences.
• Performance Analysis: Maximizing category performance by analyzing product financial performance and shopper psychology.
• SKU Rationalization: Identifying high-performing products and opportunity gaps within a range.
• Client Advisory: Supporting and guiding retail customers through complex data-driven recommendations that drive sales and profitability.

You’ll have access to DotActiv’s all-in-one category management software to complete all of the above.

Requirements

What We Expect From You

We are looking for candidates with a high aptitude for numbers and a passion for data-driven decision-making.

Education and Requirements:

• A Consumer Science or Commerce degree (or similar) from an accredited university.
• Advanced MS Excel Skills: This is a requirement; you must be comfortable with complex formulas, VLOOKUPs, and Pivot Tables.
• A good understanding of English (You must be able to speak, read and write at a business proficiency level); and
• 2+ years in a retail environment is advantageous. 
• A valid driver’s licence and vehicle are a requirement for this role as you may be required to travel on-site to meet with clients.
• A working laptop - It is important that your laptop has Windows as our software is not supported with Mac PCs. Here is an article about the requirements needed to run the DotActiv software. We do offer a laptop allowance, included in the CTC.
  

Knowledge and Computer Skills:

• Strong Analytical Skills: Ability to use data analysis techniques and apply them to real-world business situations.
• Transfer of Demand: Predicting shopper switching behavior to prevent lost sales during range changes.
• Incremental Contribution: Identifying products that bring "new" shoppers to the category rather than just cannibalizing existing sales.
• Consumer Decision Trees (CDT): Mapping the shopper’s mental journey to ensure the assortment matches their buying logic.
• Impact Analysis: The critical ability to perform "Before vs. After" simulations to quantify the success of an assortment plan. This includes:
• Financial Forecasting: Projecting changes in turnover, gross profit, and GMROI.
• Space Impact: Analyzing how adding or removing SKUs affects shelf capacity and replenishment cycles.
• Range Vitality: Measuring the "newness" of the range versus legacy products.
• Retail Business Experience: General retail business experience within a retail environment (Pharmacy experience and product knowledge in this sector is an advantage);
• Category Management Principles: A deep understanding of clustering, SKU rationalization, and the "Point of Diminishing Returns" in a range (required);
• Integrated Space Planning: Understanding the vital link between the assortment plan and planogram to ensure the "right mix" actually fits the shelf (beneficial);
• Merchandising Mastery: Knowledge of merchandising principles, techniques, and shelf-elasticity, how product visibility drives volume (beneficial);
• Product & Range Knowledge: Have the necessary product knowledge and expertise to develop high-performing assortments customized to align with the unique demographics and profiles of individual category clusters; and
• Computer literate with special attention to:
• Advanced MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Google G-Suite/Google Docs for business;
• Understand the computer packages and systems currently used by DotActiv and customers (training will be provided).

Soft skills: 

• You must have excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Must have strong analytical skills and be able to use data analysis techniques and how to apply these to business situations;
• You must have excellent interpersonal skills;
• You must have a high capacity to represent the DotActiv brand as a specialist;
• You must have a high degree of internal client engagement;
• You must have the ability to multitask and work cross-functionally;
• You must be able to remain attentive in an often busy environment;
• You must be naturally calm while still having a strong sense of urgency and be focused (Detail-oriented);
• You must be a team player;
• You must be versatile enough if participation in other types of activities is required; and
• Must be adaptable to change as different product categories present different challenges and opportunities.

Benefits

What You Can Expect From DotActiv

Too often, we’ve come across job offers that focus first on what they expect from their applicants without thinking about the person who intends to apply. That’s not what you’ll find with DotActiv. We aim to exceed the expectations of our staff through transparency and structured growth.

• A Cost to Company of between R20k and R30k, depending on your qualifications and experience.
• Expert Guidance: You’ll receive hands-on guidance, support, and specialized training from your line manager to ensure you succeed as an Assortment Planner and grow within the company.
• Clear Career Progression: We offer a transparent job grading system so you always know where you stand and how to reach the next level.
• Personalised Development: We provide a developmental path tailored to your specific circumstances, allowing you to track your progress as you master retail analytics..
• Commitment to Excellence: As our vision states, we aim to exceed the expectations of our staff, moving beyond just listing requirements to focus on your success.
• If you’re interested in finding out more about DotActiv’s culture, this piece is worth a read.