Mr D - Junior E-Commerce Category Manager at takealot.com

Purpose of this role:

• The Junior e-commerce Category Manager focuses on driving growth and performance of a specific category, such as Pets, Convenience, Liquor, Pharmacy, and more. As a Category Manager, you will be proactive and responsible for the end-to-end management of your category. The role requires close collaboration with partners, merchandising, operations, and cross-functional teams to execute category strategies and maximise commercial results.

Key responsibilities / accountabilities:

Category Ownership:

• Fully own and drive the performance of a specific shops category on the Mr D platform.
• Execute and monitor growth plans for the category, including orders, Gross Merchandise Volume and store expansion.
• Ensure category coverage by identifying new product opportunities and expanding ranges through existing and new partners.

Partner Management:

• Manage relationships with partner groups within the assigned category, ensuring consistent communication and alignment on commercial goals.
• Ensure partner listings are accurate, up to date, and optimised for visibility on the platform.
• Collaborate with partners on product availability, pricing strategies, and promotional campaigns.

Partnership Development:

• Identify, negotiate, and establish partnerships with relevant businesses and organizations within the assigned vertical.
• Collaborate with partners to develop joint marketing initiatives and promotions.
• Evaluate and optimize existing partnerships for mutual benefit.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with the merchandising team to ensure optimal category representation and visibility within the app.
• Drive category-specific campaigns, including seasonal promotions and thematic sales (e.g., holiday gifting for liquor, pet care essentials).
• Work closely with marketing, tech , and operations teams to ensure a cohesive approach to category performance, content accuracy, and customer engagement.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement:

• Analyze category performance across key metrics such as Gross Merchandise Volume, Average Order Value, conversion rates, and partner contribution. 
• Identify gaps and opportunities for optimisation, such as partner-specific performance gaps, and product availability issues
• Leverage data insights to identify trends and opportunities for category growth

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Revenue: Achieve gross merchandise volume and order targets
• Active Partner Contribution: Work with partners on promotional opportunities.
• Improve conversion rate: Through improved listings, enhanced product visibility, and regularly updated and accurate listings and product information.

Skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Experience working with merchandising teams and external partners.
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder collaboration skills
• Familiarity with manipulating data on excel or google sheets and creating presentations on PowerPoint
• Results-oriented with a focus on achieving targets and KPIs.

Qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field
• 1- 2 years in category management, buying, or merchandising roles within e-commerce or retail

Let’s talk about life @ Mr D

• The power is in your hands: We offer a market-related, Total Remuneration Package which allows full flexibility according to your needs. Go on, be the master of your own destiny.
• No doors: We aren’t fans of stuffy offices or siloed work environments. See someone you like? High five, collab and make something great.
• Online Learning: Share ideas and grow with global industry leaders who are all just a Slack message away. Love to learn? Up-skill with free access to courses on Prosus Academy and more.
• Good times: Get to know the other extraordinary minds in the takealot group during regular social events and out-of-office activities (think hikes, think mini golf, think good times).
• Birthday leave: Cake Day all the way. Enjoy your day off - you deserve it. 
• Help when you need it most: Confidential counselling, legal support and financial guidance, for free, anytime, anywhere. 
• Free parking: No more 5km fun runs to your desk (unless you want to).