Location Planning Manager - Tongaat

Job Advert Summary

Boxer Superstores is seeking a Location Planning Manager to join our team at the new Distribution Centre opening soon in Tongaat, KZN. This critical role will be responsible for managing the flow of stock from suppliers into our DC and stores, ensuring stock availability standards are met and optimised. You’ll be working closely with suppliers, internal teams, and leading the Location Planners team to ensure stock levels are aligned with operational needs, and all key performance indicators (KPIs) are achieved.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• A 3-year degree (Supply Chain/Retail Management); Postgraduate qualification advantageous
  
  • 8 years of relevant experience in retail/FMCG supply chain planning
  • Advanced proficiency in Excel, BI tools, ERP, and demand planning systems
  • Strong leadership skills with experience managing planning teams
  • Excellent analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Experience managing large stock volumes, planning accuracy, and supplier performance
  • Solid understanding of DC operations, ranging, and category inventory control

Key Stakeholders:

• Internal: Location Planners, DC Operations, Head Office Planning & Merchandising, Store Ops
  
  • External: Suppliers, Buyers, Transporters

Core Competencies:

• • Strategic thinking and problem-solving
    
    • Judgment, planning, and decision-making
    • Attention to detail and investigative orientation
    • Strong verbal/written communication and stakeholder management
    • Organizational awareness, adaptability, and drive

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• • Manage stock availability in the DC and stores to meet 95%+ availability targets
    
    • Monitor and drive inbound, outbound, and store strike rates
    • Lead the Location Planning team to ensure all KPIs and service levels are met
    • Ensure accurate stock cover modelling aligned with forecasts and category plans
    • Proactively resolve stock-outs, over/under-stocks, and discontinued/suspended lines
    • Collaborate with suppliers on returns, uplifts, and non-compliance resolution
    • Liaise daily with Product Planners, HOD Planning, and DC Operations on inventory issues
    • Monitor shrinkage, stock adjustments, and implement corrective actions
    • Highlight ranging issues and slow/fast movers to the range team and buyers
    • Drive communication across the value chain (DC, Stores, Buyers, Suppliers)
    • Oversee promotional stock tracking, sign-off, and DC/store readiness