Junior Product Manager (Marketplace)

The Takealot Group, South Africa's premier online retailer, is on the hunt for a driven Junior Product Manager to bolster its dynamic Marketplace division in Cape Town. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of Takealot's merchant ecosystem by defining and executing a technical product roadmap designed to propel the division towards its ambitious commercial goals. If you're passionate about e-commerce, possess a keen analytical mind, and thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment, this could be your next career leap.

About the role

As a Junior Product Manager within the Marketplace team, you'll delve deep into the intricacies of Takealot's merchant operations. This involves gaining a comprehensive understanding of the division's strategic objectives, dissecting existing business processes, familiarising yourself with the current toolset and systems, and benchmarking against external best practices. Your primary responsibility will be to work closely with the Head of Product for Merchant, meticulously crafting and maintaining a product roadmap. This roadmap will be the blueprint for crucial technical developments, all aimed at empowering the Marketplace division to achieve its strategic vision.

A significant aspect of this role is the commitment to continuous improvement. You will be instrumental in measuring the success of implemented developments through the diligent tracking of key performance indicators. More importantly, you'll take ownership of enhancing these metrics by identifying, prioritising, and championing new roadmap projects that address identified opportunities and challenges.

The Junior Product Manager will translate high-level business needs into tangible technical solutions. This involves defining the strategic business requirements for technical systems development, ensuring that each project, prioritised on the product roadmap, is underpinned by robust data-driven decision-making. You'll bridge the gap between business and technology by transforming these requirements into detailed functional and technical IT user stories and project specifications. A key part of this process is the strategic breakdown of projects into manageable phases, enabling the delivery of immediate business benefits while progressing towards larger objectives.

Project management is at the core of this position. You will oversee technical projects from conception through to release, managing the entire product development lifecycle. This includes setting realistic timelines, driving project schedules with urgency, and leading cross-functional development teams through every stage, from initial design to final production launch. Effective communication with all stakeholders is paramount, ensuring their input is incorporated into roadmap prioritisation and that progress on execution is clearly communicated. Furthermore, you will be responsible for managing the engineering backlog, employing appropriate sprint prioritisation and planning techniques to maintain development momentum.

What they're looking for

Takealot seeks individuals who are not only smart and creative but also possess a strong work ethic and unwavering integrity. A proven track record of delivering results in a demanding, fast-paced environment is essential. Candidates should demonstrate strong commercial acumen, coupled with sharp analytical capabilities. Proficiency in SQL is highly desirable for data extraction and analysis, enabling you to leverage insights for informed decision-making.

A highly structured and detail-oriented approach to problem-solving is a must. You should possess a solid technical understanding and practical experience with the software development process. Excellent project management and communication skills are critical for effectively coordinating cross-functional teams, particularly engineering, to ensure projects are delivered on time and to specification. A flexible and adaptable mindset is crucial for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce.

Academically, a relevant Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or Commerce is preferred, combined with at least three years of experience in product management/ownership, business analysis, or a related field. Experience in driving large, company-wide initiatives through projects or specific responsibilities is highly valued. Alternatively, candidates with at least six years of equivalent experience in these fields will be considered. Experience in an agile/iterative project management and development environment, as well as within the e-commerce sector, would be advantageous.

This Junior Product Manager role at Takealot offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth of South Africa's leading online retailer. In the South African context, product management roles, especially in tech-driven e-commerce environments, are experiencing significant demand. Salaries can vary widely depending on experience and the specific company, but typically range from R350,000 to R600,000 per annum for a junior to mid-level position. Takealot itself is a major player, and this role offers substantial potential for learning and career advancement within a rapidly expanding organisation.

• A proven track record of delivering results, in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrates strong commercial acumen with analytical capabilities, proficient in SQL for obtaining and analysing data, and effectively leverages insights to drive informed decision-making
• Highly structured thinker with strong attention to detail
• Strong technical understanding & experience with the development process
• Strong project management and communication skills – able to effectively manage cross-functional stakeholders (in particular the engineering team) to ensure projects are delivered according to specifications on time
• A flexible and adaptable mindset
• Relevant Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma (Information Systems/Computer Science/Engineering/Commerce) with at least 3 years of experience in product management/owner, business analysis, or a related role, preferably driving large, company-wide initiatives (through projects or responsibilities)
• If you do not have a Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma in a related field, an equivalent experience requirement must be met which equates to at least 6 years of experience in product management/owner, business analysis, or a related role, preferably driving large, company-wide initiatives (through projects or responsibilities)
• Experience in an agile/iterative project management and development environment is beneficial
• Experience in an e-commerce environment is beneficial