Nomathamsanqa D.
Senior Merchandise Planner
Notable Highlight
Managed merchandise planning portfolios with combined turnovers of R1,085M at Tru. Led a testing planners team responsible for improving planning processes and securing director approval for implementation.
Experience Summary
Nomathamsanqa was a Senior Merchandise Planner with over 13 years of retail planning experience, primarily at Tru. and other major retailers. She specialized in forecasting, stock management, and strategic planning across multiple product categories including formal wear, accessories, and fashion brands. Her expertise included managing large portfolios with combined turnovers exceeding R1 billion, leading process improvement initiatives, and developing planning teams through training and recruitment.
Key Achievements
Managed merchandise planning portfolios with combined turnovers of R1,085M at Tru. Led a testing planners team responsible for improving planning processes and securing director approval for implementation. Recruited trainee planners and participated in a merchandise training programme teaching retail calculations.
Skills
Work Experience
Senior Merchandise Planner
TBI · Dec 2022 – Nov 2025
- Managed planning and allocation for Ladies Lingerie, Ladies Nightwear, and Ladies Celebrity fashion brand.
- Conducted in-season and pre-season forecasting of sales, stocks, GP, and markdown based on sales trends, opportunities, and historical patterns.
- Managed stock allocation across departments and maintained in-stock position to achieve planned sales.
- Collaborated with buyers to ensure balanced product range aligned with customer profile and timely order placement.
- Compiled and shared daily and weekly reporting on stock levels, sales achieved, trade opportunities, and product performance.
- Liaised with suppliers, allocation teams, and operations to ensure on-time order delivery and accurate floor execution.
Senior Merchandise Planner
Fro. · June 2022 – Dec 2022
- Managed planning and allocation for Aldo shoes, bags, and accessories, and Call-It-Spring stores, including wholesale allocation and budget management.
- Collaborated with key stakeholders including marketing, social media, online platforms, buyers, and field operations to develop strategies meeting targets and maximizing trade, sell-throughs, and margins.
- Conducted pre-season and in-season forecasting of sales, stock, GP, and markdown to ensure healthy planned growth.
- Managed stock flow based on performance and availability; issued OTB to buyers.
- Produced analytical and weekly reporting on stock levels, sales, trade opportunities, and product performance.
- Managed cash flow and planned shipments ahead of time to avoid excess early-season inventory.
- Planned store sales and stock levels based on performance and opportunity to ensure adequate stock for planned sales.
Senior Merchandise Planner
Tru. · Apr 2018 – May 2022
- Forecasted sales and managed stock levels for Glamour, Tru. Dresses, Formal wear, Maternity, Zeta, LTD Ladies, and Inwear Formal wear, yielding R1,085M turnover.
- Participated in testing planners team responsible for improving planning processes and obtaining director approval for implementation.
- Recruited and evaluated new trainee planners based on lateral thinking, innovation, and planning role understanding.
- Worked closely with buying team to ensure the right product was sent to stores to maximize sales.
Merchandise Planner
Tru. · Apr 2015 – Mar 2018
- Managed planning portfolio including Daniel Hector Formal wear, Glamour, and Tru. Dresses with combined R456M turnover.
- Performed all planning-related tasks including liaising with suppliers, distribution, buyers, and managers.
- Involved in projects to improve planning systems, including brainstorming, testing, evaluating, implementation, and training colleagues on new processes.
- Taught and developed onboarding trainee planners.
- Participated in merchandise training program teaching retail calculations and evaluating trainee understanding of key focus areas.
Designate Planner
Tru. · Sept 2013 – Mar 2015
- Managed planning portfolio for Daniel Hector Formal wear, Daniel Hector Shoes, Bags & Accessories with R335M turnover.
- Conducted pre-season and in-season sales and stock forecasting; managed stock flow based on performance and availability to achieve in-stock position.
- Produced analytical and weekly reporting on stock levels, sales achieved, trade opportunities, product performance, critical outstanding orders, and OTB.
- Planned store sales and stock levels based on performance and opportunity to ensure sufficient stock for planned sales.
- Planned and managed replenishment styles to improve sales, including delivery negotiations with suppliers.
Trainee Planner
Tru. · Apr 2011 – Sept 2013
- Prepared store reports and trade reports; identified trade opportunities.
- Participated in preparations for review, assortment meetings, and trade for Identity Shoes, Bags & Accessories.
- Worked closely with buyers to ensure balanced product range at appropriate prices for each store.
- Completed projects and workshops covering customer understanding, distribution centers, allocation processes, manufacturing, critical path timelines, planning systems, and the buying cycle.