Category Marketing Manager: FMCG at takealot.com

• takealot.com, a leading South African online retailer, is looking for a highly talented Category Marketing Manager: FMCG to join our team in Cape Town.
• We are a young, dynamic, hyper growth company looking for smart, creative, hard-working people with integrity to join us.  We offer a market related, Total Remuneration Package which allows full flexibility according to your needs, a great work environment and a promise that you won’t be bored as long as you are prepared for a challenge and want to build something great.

This position reports to the Head of Category Marketing & Partnerships.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop and implement effective marketing strategies for a the Beauty category to drive customer engagement, adoption,  brand awareness, GMV and market share growth objectives
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify customer needs, preferences, and trends within the category, and use this information to develop targeted marketing campaigns and initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Retail & Marketplace, Advertising, and Marketing, production and design, to ensure alignment of marketing strategies with business objectives and campaign calendar / roadmap.
• Create and manage marketing budgets for the category, allocating resources effectively to maximize return on investment.
• Create and own the category, supplier and brand marketing plans and marketing calendar.
• Plan and execute integrated marketing campaigns across various channels, including paid / performance, social media, CRM marketing, events, and brand & comms, ATL to reach the target audience and achieve growth objectives
• Monitor and analyze marketing campaign performance, using data-driven insights to optimize strategies, improve conversion rates, and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, such as suppliers, industry partners, and influencers, to enhance brand positioning and expand market reach.
• Build relationships with suppliers, sellers and partners to identify strong co-branding opportunities, and craft value exchange  / co-op marketing agreements with these partners.  In addition, you will be required to drive commercial opportunities with suppliers through the crafting of proposals, timeous execution of campaigns and post campaign reporting.
• Stay up-to-date with and share industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging marketing techniques, and make recommendations for adapting strategies to maintain a competitive edge.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to foster a high-performing and collaborative work environment to achieve category marketing objectives
• Collaborate with the Advertising team to develop effective campaigns, materials, and promotions that align with marketing strategies and support growth, GMV and Advertising revenue goals.
• Operational and Management reporting weekly and monthly

Attributes required:

• FMCG category knowledge essential
• Demonstrable negotiation skills
• Strong knowledge of marketing principles, techniques, and best practices, with a demonstrated track record of successful marketing campaigns and initiatives.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to translate data into actionable insights to drive marketing strategy and decision-making.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail and a strong sense of aesthetics.
• Proficiency in marketing software and tools, including analytics platforms, CRM systems, email marketing platforms, and social media management tools.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in managing a team, including the ability to provide guidance, feedback, and support to team members.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate ambiguity and thrive in a dynamic, evolving industry.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree  or equivalent qualification in business, marketing or communication
• A minimum of 8-10 years marketing & retail experience
• Experience working across marketing channels – Digital, ATL, Partnerships, Commercial  – with demonstrable results
• Retail or e-commerce marketing experience beneficial 
• Demonstrable negotiation skills
• Experience in developing and managing annual marketing budgets
• Proven experience in category marketing, brand management, or product marketing, preferably within a similar industry or product category.
• Strong knowledge of marketing principles, techniques, and best practices, with a demonstrated track record of successful marketing campaigns and initiatives.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to translate data into actionable insights to drive marketing strategy and decision-making.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail and a strong sense of aesthetics.
• Proficiency in marketing software and tools, including analytics platforms, CRM systems, email marketing platforms, and social media management tools.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in managing a team, including the ability to provide guidance, feedback, and support to team members.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate ambiguity and thrive in a dynamic, evolving industry.
• An understanding of e-commerce and the key levers that drive sales in an e-commerce environment
• A strong working knowledge of Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel is required
• Tech Savvy - have a passion for technology and how to use technological solutions to improve performance