Akhona N.
Planner II
Notable Highlight
Led end-to-end merchandise planning across a previous company, MP, and Woo. over 10+ years, balancing inventory investment discipline with margin protection and stock efficiency across apparel, footwear, and luxury categories.
Experience Summary
Akhona was a Merchandise Planner with over 10 years of retail planning experience across leading South African retailers including a previous company, MP, and Woo. She specialized in end-to-end merchandise planning, OTB management, sales and margin forecasting, and range and assortment planning. Her data-driven approach balanced optimal product availability with profitability while supporting sustainable sales growth and minimizing markdown exposure across jewellery and women's apparel categories.
Key Achievements
Over 10 years of retail planning experience across leading South African retailers including a previous company, MP, and Woo. Launched a new Ladies' Modern Knitwear department for AW19, developing financial plans, sub-category structures, and store layouts. Supported sustainable sales growth while minimizing risk and markdown exposure through inventory investment discipline and stock efficiency optimization. Mentored Planner Assistants and junior planners, presenting seasonal plans and post-season reviews to senior leadership.
Skills
Work Experience
Planner II
a previous company · March 2025 – Present
- Develop and manage sales, margin, and inventory plans aligned to business targets across multiple product categories.
- Lead assortment and range planning, balancing breadth and depth to meet customer demand and commercial objectives.
- Optimise stock levels through OTB management, replenishment cycles, and supplier lead times, improving sell-through and reducing markdown risk.
- Leverage sales data, planning tools, and market insights to forecast demand and proactively adjust strategies.
- Manage store and warehouse allocation, in-season trading, and post-season analysis.
- Track and maintain online availability for ASJ and Stern, ensuring targets are achieved through style buffer stock analysis and store optimisation.
Planner
MP · November 2022 – February 2025
- Support apparel and footwear planning across range builds, OTB management, and in-season reforecasting.
- Balance high-volume retail dynamics with margin protection and stock efficiency.
- Respond quickly to changes in consumer demand through decisive trading actions.
- Partner with Buying and Sourcing to optimise assortment architecture, pricing strategies, and stock allocation.
Planner
Woo. · 2021 – October 2022
- Co-create merchandise strategies with Buying, Trend, and Sourcing teams aligned to seasonal and business objectives.
- Develop forward-looking financial and assortment plans using trend insights, predictive analytics, and post-season learnings.
- Manage OTB, monthly reforecasting, and stock flow, ensuring responsiveness to trade while protecting margins.
- Maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure stock continuity and unlock over-trade opportunities.
- Oversee availability, allocation accuracy, warehouse utilisation, and markdown strategies.
- Conduct competitive shopping and market analysis, translating insights into actionable trade decisions.
- Mentor Planner Assistants and junior planners.
- Present seasonal plans and post-season reviews to senior leadership.
Assistant Planner
Woo. · January 2019 – December 2020
- Launch a new Ladies' Modern Knitwear department for AW19, including financial plans, sub-category structures, and store layouts.
- Manage monthly in-season projections and reforecasting based on trading performance.
- Control OTB and implement positive buying actions to maximise ROI.
- Present department strategies and financial plans to senior leadership and suppliers.
Store Planner
Woo. · April 2016 – December 2018
- Support the Planner with analysis to ensure optimal availability and profitable stock investments.
- Plan store sales and grading at sub-category level.
- Allocate merchandise using JDA and respond to in-season trading opportunities.
- Produce weekly inventory and performance reports to maximise availability and sales.
Intern – Store Planning
Woo. · June 2014 – February 2016
- Deliver planning projects across store planning, warehouse allocation, in-season trading, and post-season analysis.
- Analyse store performance and present insights to influence buying decisions.
- Develop quarterly store plans to reduce markdown risk and improve assortment relevance.
Shop Assistant (Freelance)
Ack. · December 2013 – May 2014
- Deliver customer service across Ladieswear, Girls, and School wear departments.
- Support merchandising and stock management, including stock takes.