Buyer (Homeware) at takealot.com

Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop a comprehensive strategy/plan to drive growth across the department in sales, brands, suppliers and new product listings
• Plan to develop and drive growth across the department in sales, brands, suppliers and new product listings
• Drive innovation by sourcing and prioritizing new brands and suppliers according to this growth plan and in line with market trends and consumer demand 
• Deliver against key financial and service level performance indicators within the department (sales, margin, listings availability, stock cover etc.)
• Manage and develop supplier relationships, negotiate good prices, improve trading terms and manage suppliers according to strict SLAs
• Develop a promotional programme, source great deals and manage site merchandising for the department
• Support the operations team in delivering a world-class customer experience – monitor department returns, support the customer service team on product queries and resolving any customer complaints
• Manage stock and availability (including replenishment orders, stock cover)
• Deliver on customer experience within the department (ensuring products are delivered on time, supplier terms are aligned, product quality is managed etc.)

Attributes required:

• Solutions-oriented, can-do attitude; self-motivated
• Strong analytical and critical thinking, ability to use data to inform decisions, identify the root cause and resolve problem
• Strong product and buying planning skills
• Ability to manage priorities according to clear prioritization and structured planning
• Ability to build lasting supplier relationships and manage according to SLAs (existing industry networks a plus)
• Comfortable with change and excellent team player
• Passionate about the industry and the potential of e-commerce
• Understanding of the key business drivers within online retail
• Entrepreneurial/commercial mindset

Qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree (Business Science or Commerce degree preferable)
• 3-5 years related retail / commerce / e-commerce experience 
• Strong commercial acumen
• Existing industry networks a significant plus
• Proven track record of negotiation skills and strong relationship management

The Environment:

• takealot.com employees are entrepreneurial and dynamic, smart, customer-centric, fun and have the shared ambition of takealot.com being the leading e-commerce company in Africa.
• We have fun, work hard, take ownership, work in teams to create solutions, and are always open to direct feedback/new ideas on where we can improve.
• We are short on ego and high on output.
• We are doers and not only thinkers, its all in the execution after all.
• We love what we do and what we are creating.