Pick n Pay

Operations Planner

Kenilworth - Cape Town Full time

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing!

We’re looking for a highly analytical and commercially minded Operations Planner to turn demand forecasts into precise, actionable operating plans across our store and fulfilment network.



In this role, you will sit at the centre of Operations, Marketing, Workforce Management, and Data Science, translating complex data into clear capacity plans, slot strategies, and operational scenarios that drive service excellence and efficiency. You will play a critical role in ensuring our network is correctly sized, tuned, and ready to respond to business change.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Business Analytics, Finance, or a related field

At least 5 years’ experience in operations planning, demand forecasting, data analysis, or a similar operational role

Strong Excel modelling skills

Experience using BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau

SQL proficiency is advantageous

Competencies:

Strong analytical and operational thinking

Planning and forecasting expertise

Excellent attention to detail and data accuracy

Confident problem‑solving and decision‑making ability

Clear verbal and written communication

Ability to prioritise and manage multiple moving parts in a fast‑paced environment

Comfortable working cross‑functionally and influencing stakeholders

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Planning & Forecast Translation

Translate demand forecasts into accurate hourly, daily, and store level operational plans

Build and maintain planning models that reflect real operational capacity, geography, customer behaviour, and seasonality

Integrate forecasts into workforce planning, slot allocation, fulfilment centre planning, and daily operations

Continuously improve plans using performance data and forecast accuracy feedback

Slot Setup, Capacity Management & Network Tuning

Own slot configuration and calibration to ensure alignment with true operational capacity

Adjust fulfilment centre capacity in response to forecast shifts, bottlenecks, and operational feedback

Tune capacity weekly based on marketing activity, promotions, regional demand shifts, and seasonality

Partner closely with Operations to ensure slot design supports productivity, service levels, and customer satisfaction

Forecasting Process Ownership

Lead the weekly forecasting forum, ensuring clarity, alignment, and accountability across Marketing, Ops, WFM, Commercial, and Data teams

Own the forecasting process end to end, including assumptions, risks, inputs, outputs, and communication

Maintain a standardised forecasting calendar, templates, and communication cadence

Ensure forecast changes are clearly understood and reflected in operational plans

Scenario Modelling & Strategic Insights

Build scenario models to support key operational and strategic decisions, such as:

    - Store closures or relocations
    - Network consolidation
    - Marketing and promotional impacts

Translate analysis into decision ready insights with clear operational recommendations

Support strategic initiatives through modelling, simulations, and KPI driven analysis

Advanced Forecasting & Marketing Mix Development

Collaborate with Data Science to evolve forecasting capabilities, including contributing to Marketing Mix Models

Identify key demand drivers such as marketing activity, pricing changes, external factors, and competitive shifts

Embed model insights into operational planning to improve accuracy and foresight

Reporting, Data Quality & Performance Tracking

Maintain and enhance dashboards covering forecast accuracy, slot utilisation, capacity, WFM metrics, sales, and service

Track operational KPIs and highlight risks, opportunities, and corrective actions

Ensure high data quality and work with BI/IT teams to resolve discrepancies

Maintain planning data pipelines in line with data governance standards

Closing Date: 23 March 2026

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

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