Zanethemba Tengimfene
Blouberg Sands
Summary
Dynamic Merchandise Manager with a proven track record at Ackermans, excelling in inventory management and strategic planning. Expert in optimizing profit margins and enhancing stakeholder engagement, I drive operational efficiency and deliver actionable insights through data analysis. Committed to fostering strong supplier relationships and achieving business objectives.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Merchandise Manager
Ackermans
Cape Town
04.2023 - Current
- Optimized resource allocation through effective planning and forecasting.
- Minimized excess inventory by overseeing stock management processes.
- Generated performance reports to deliver actionable business insights.
- Streamlined operational systems to enhance overall efficiency.
- Maximized profit margins by controlling business unit costs.
- Strengthened relationships with key accounts and strategic suppliers through collaboration.
- Managed multi-channel inventory levels to ensure product availability and reduce overstock.
- Analyzed financial data to inform purchasing decisions and identify buying trends.
Divisional Manager
Takealot
Cape Town
08.2021 - 09.2022
- Developed category strategy and assessed market opportunities to address gaps.
- Led buying team, providing strategic guidance and support.
- Managed key supplier relationships, enhancing collaboration with stakeholders.
- Oversaw product selection and lifecycle management to align with market trends.
- Mediated employee conflicts, facilitating effective resolutions.
- Delegated tasks to staff, establishing clear priorities and goals.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to shape business strategies.
- Created and monitored division budgets, ensuring adherence throughout the fiscal year.
Planning Manager
Ackermans
Cape Town
03.2017 - 07.2021
- Executed merchandise planning and forecasting to align inventory with sales objectives.
- Managed stock levels to optimize availability and minimize excess inventory.
- Developed detailed reports analyzing performance metrics to inform strategic decisions.
- Streamlined processes to enhance operational efficiency across business units.
- Oversaw cost management, ensuring profitability through effective profit/loss analysis.
- Collaborated with key accounts to strengthen relationships with strategic suppliers.
- Conducted thorough market analysis, gathering industry insights for strategic planning.
- Reviewed employee performance, providing coaching and feedback to drive improvement.
Business Planner
Nike
Cape Town
10.2011 - 02.2017
- Executed key account management with a focus on financial budgeting.
- Conducted strategic planning to align operations with organizational goals.
- Performed planning and forecasting to enhance revenue predictability.
- Oversaw stock management to optimize inventory levels.
- Generated comprehensive reports to evaluate business performance.
- Streamlined systems and processes for increased operational efficiency.
- Managed projects from conception to completion, ensuring timely task execution and resource allocation.
- Analyzed costs, pricing strategies, and sales results against established business plans.
Merchandise Planner
Woolworths
Cape Town
02.2010 - 09.2011
- Conducted post-seasonal analysis to inform strategic departmental planning.
- Developed accurate sales projections and assortment plans to optimize product offerings.
- Constructed and managed seasonal buy plans and catalogues to align with market trends.
- Oversaw merchandise flow through external and internal supply chains to maximize efficiency.
- Executed store profiling to enhance inventory management and placement strategies.
- Performed in-season re-forecasting in accordance with trade developments.
- Managed supplier relationships to ensure timely delivery and quality standards.
- Monitored performance metrics in alignment with KPIs to drive continuous improvement.
General Manager - Forecourt Operations
Lithemba Investments
East London
09.2009 - 01.2010
- Oversaw daily operations, focusing on inventory, profitability, and staff management.
- Achieved key performance indicators as established by company directors.
- Conducted in-depth analysis to phase out slow and ineffective business lines.
- Managed introduction of new products and promotional lines for enhanced market presence.
Merchandise Planner
Jet
Johannesburg
07.2007 - 04.2009
- Generated and presented fiscal budgets with strategic initiatives to executive leadership.
- Planned seasonal buying strategies to align inventory with market demand.
- Managed merchandise flow and store profiling for optimized product placement.
- Conducted in-depth business analysis to identify underperforming and overperforming areas.
- Controlled in-store stock demand, adjusting inventory levels by store and category based on sales.
- Adjusted in-season retail pricing to maintain competitiveness in the market.
- Cultivated supplier relations to guarantee stock availability for effective trading.
- Reviewed and optimized stock management parameters regularly to enhance efficiency.
Demand Planner
Woolworths
Cape Town
11.2006 - 02.2007
- Administered category product forecasts to enhance accuracy and reliability.
- Communicated weekly forecasts to suppliers, improving collaboration and inventory alignment.
- Consolidated sales and marketing assumptions for effective new product development.
- Managed listing and delisting of products within demand planning system.
- Oversaw inventory management to meet planned sales and profit objectives.
- Reviewed rolling forecasts weekly to monitor stock levels and sales performance.
- Implemented necessary interventions based on promotional sales data.
Merchandise Planner
Jet
Johannesburg
07.2006 - 10.2006
- Generated and presented fiscal budgets alongside strategic plans to executives.
- Planned seasonal buying strategies to optimize inventory procurement.
- Managed merchandise flow and executed store profiling for enhanced performance.
- Conducted in-depth business analysis to assess underperforming and overperforming areas.
- Adjusted in-store stock demand to regulate inventory levels by store and category based on sales data.
- Aligned in-season retail pricing with market trends to maximize competitiveness.
- Cultivated supplier relationships to ensure consistent stock availability for optimal trading.
- Reviewed and optimized stock management parameters regularly to enhance efficiency.
Designate Merchandise Planner
Jet
Johannesburg
01.2006 - 06.2006
- Generated and presented fiscal budgets alongside strategic plans to executives.
- Planned seasonal buying strategies to optimize inventory procurement.
- Managed merchandise flow and executed store profiling for enhanced performance.
- Conducted in-depth business analysis to assess underperforming and overperforming areas.
- Adjusted in-store stock demand to regulate inventory levels by store and category based on sales data.
- Aligned in-season retail pricing with market trends to maximize competitiveness.
- Cultivated supplier relationships to ensure consistent stock availability for optimal trading.
- Reviewed and optimized stock management parameters regularly to enhance efficiency.
Assistant Merchandise Planner
Jet
Johannesburg
03.2005 - 12.2005
- Managed stock allocations and store profiling to optimize inventory levels.
- Conducted product planning and sales analysis to identify trends and opportunities.
- Prepared comprehensive sales and stock reports for divisional managers and executives.
- Monitored category performance against budget goals, identifying risks and opportunities.
- Collaborated with logistics team to ensure timely deliveries and stock replenishments.
- Recorded data in merchandising systems, maintaining accuracy of stock levels.
Sales Manager
Jet
King Williams Town
01.2004 - 02.2005
- Collaborated with Planners and Buyers to resolve stock management issues.
- Directed daily operations of sales department, ensuring high standards of service delivery.
- Set sales targets and developed strategies to achieve them.
- Supervised staff to enhance productivity and performance.
- Maintained OHASA standards to promote a safe working environment.
- Conducted sales consultations, providing clients with product and service knowledge.
General Manager - Service Station
BritPet Trading
02.2003 - 01.2004
- Cultivated strong client relationships through effective communication and issue resolution skills.
- Enhanced operational performance by developing robust business strategies and procedures.
- Monitored financial performance, identifying opportunities for cost savings and revenue growth.
- Guided management and supervisory staff to ensure seamless daily operations.
- Delegated tasks to staff while establishing clear priorities and goals.
- Delivered exceptional client experiences through proactive leadership of associates and managers.
- Conducted routine audits of internal controls to maintain financial record accuracy.
- Administered employee discipline with verbal and written warnings as necessary.
Manager - Service Station
Stigo's Superette
10.2002 - 01.2003
- Cultivated strong client relationships through effective communication and issue resolution skills.
- Enhanced operational performance by developing robust business strategies and procedures.
- Monitored financial performance, identifying opportunities for cost savings and revenue growth.
- Guided management and supervisory staff to ensure seamless daily operations.
- Delegated tasks to staff while establishing clear priorities and goals.
- Delivered exceptional client experiences through proactive leadership of associates and managers.
- Conducted routine audits of internal controls to maintain financial record accuracy.
- Administered employee discipline with verbal and written warnings as necessary.
Convenience Store Supervisor
BritPet Trading/ Future Petroleum
10.2000 - 10.2002
- Cultivated strong client relationships through effective communication and issue resolution skills.
- Enhanced operational performance by developing robust business strategies and procedures.
- Monitored financial performance, identifying opportunities for cost savings and revenue growth.
- Guided management and supervisory staff to ensure seamless daily operations.
- Delegated tasks to staff while establishing clear priorities and goals.
- Delivered exceptional client experiences through proactive leadership of associates and managers.
- Conducted routine audits of internal controls to maintain financial record accuracy.
- Administered employee discipline with verbal and written warnings as necessary.
Cashier
Future Petroleum
03.1998 - 10.2000
- Trained and mentored new cashiers to enhance performance through effective teamwork.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of store promotions to effectively highlight sales.
Military Police Officer
SANDF
02.1995 - 07.1997
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Business Management
Regenesys Business College
02-2020
International Leadership Development Programme - W&RSeta
Regenesys Business School
02-2020
BCom -
Regent Business College
04-2018
Skills
- Product planning and purchasing
- Revenue and margin management
- Inventory management
- Business management
- Budgeting and target setting
- Negotiation skills
- Supply chain management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Planning and forecasting
- Reporting and analysis
- Systems and process optimization
- Key account management
- Strategic planning
- Team leadership
- Data analysis
- Profit margin optimization
- Vendor negotiation strategies
- Sales forecasting techniques
- Category strategy development
- Relationship building
References
Available on request.
Timeline
Merchandise Manager
Ackermans
04.2023 - Current
Divisional Manager
Takealot
08.2021 - 09.2022
Planning Manager
Ackermans
03.2017 - 07.2021
Business Planner
Nike
10.2011 - 02.2017
Merchandise Planner
Woolworths
02.2010 - 09.2011
General Manager - Forecourt Operations
Lithemba Investments
09.2009 - 01.2010
Merchandise Planner
Jet
07.2007 - 04.2009
Demand Planner
Woolworths
11.2006 - 02.2007
Merchandise Planner
Jet
07.2006 - 10.2006
Designate Merchandise Planner
Jet
01.2006 - 06.2006
Assistant Merchandise Planner
Jet
03.2005 - 12.2005
Sales Manager
Jet
01.2004 - 02.2005
General Manager - Service Station
BritPet Trading
02.2003 - 01.2004
Manager - Service Station
Stigo's Superette
10.2002 - 01.2003
Convenience Store Supervisor
BritPet Trading/ Future Petroleum
10.2000 - 10.2002
Cashier
Future Petroleum
03.1998 - 10.2000
Military Police Officer
SANDF
02.1995 - 07.1997
Post Graduate Diploma - Business Management
Regenesys Business College
International Leadership Development Programme - W&RSeta
Regenesys Business School
BCom -
Regent Business College
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