Senior Buyer

Takealot, South Africa's premier online retail destination, is seeking a seasoned professional to fill the pivotal role of Senior Buyer within its dynamic Retail Team, based in Cape Town. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the procurement strategy for the Toys category, contributing significantly to the company's ongoing success and growth in the e-commerce landscape.

About the Role

As a Senior Buyer at Takealot, you will assume a leadership position, overseeing the entire procurement lifecycle for the Toys department. Your strategic vision and commercial expertise will be instrumental in driving the category's performance. This involves not only managing day-to-day purchasing activities but also fostering strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating favourable terms, and making informed decisions to optimise the supply chain for both efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, you will play a crucial role in developing the skills of junior buyers within the team, providing mentorship and guidance to cultivate talent within the procurement function.

The core responsibilities of this role are multifaceted and demand a proactive approach. You will be tasked with:

• **Developing and Executing Category Strategy:** Crafting a comprehensive strategy for the Toys department, with a clear focus on driving growth across key areas such as sales, brand acquisition, supplier partnerships, and the introduction of new product listings. This strategic plan will be the roadmap for the department's expansion and market penetration.
• **Innovation and Sourcing:** Actively seeking out and prioritising new brands and suppliers that align with the growth strategy and are in tune with current market trends and evolving consumer demands. This includes staying ahead of the curve to ensure Takealot offers a compelling and relevant product selection.
• **Performance Management:** Consistently meeting and exceeding key financial and service level performance indicators for the department. This encompasses targets related to sales, gross margin, product availability, and stock cover, ensuring the smooth operation of the category.
• **Supplier Relationship Management:** Building and nurturing robust relationships with suppliers. This involves skilled negotiation to secure competitive pricing, improve trading terms, and ensure adherence to strict service level agreements (SLAs), thereby fostering reliable and productive partnerships.
• **Promotional Planning and Merchandising:** Designing and implementing effective promotional programmes to drive sales and engagement. Sourcing attractive deals and managing the on-site merchandising of products within the Toys category will be critical to optimising customer visibility and conversion.
• **Customer Experience Support:** Collaborating with the operations team to ensure a world-class customer experience. This includes monitoring department returns, assisting the customer service team with product-related queries, and resolving customer complaints efficiently and effectively.
• **Stock and Availability Management:** Diligently managing stock levels and ensuring optimal product availability. This involves overseeing replenishment orders and maintaining appropriate stock cover to meet customer demand without incurring excess inventory costs.

What They're Looking For

To excel in this role, candidates will need a strong foundation in retail buying and e-commerce, coupled with demonstrable commercial acumen. The ideal candidate will possess:

• A minimum of five years of relevant experience in retail buying, commerce, or e-commerce.
• Specific experience in buying for the Toys category is highly advantageous.
• A National Diploma or Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Business Science or Commerce. In the absence of a formal degree or diploma, a minimum of eight years of relevant retail, commerce, or e-commerce experience will be considered.
• A strong understanding of commercial principles and the ability to apply them effectively in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Existing networks within the industry would be a significant advantage, potentially facilitating smoother supplier negotiations and partnership development.

This Senior Buyer position offers a unique chance to make a tangible impact within one of South Africa's leading e-commerce businesses. It's a role that demands strategic thinking, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences in the ever-evolving world of online retail.

• 5 years related retail buying / commerce / e-commerce experience
• Experience in buying for Toys category
• National Diploma / Bachelor's Degree (Business Science or Commerce degree preferable).
• If the Degree / Diploma qualification requirement isn't met, at least 8 years related retail / commerce / e-commerce experience will be required.
• Strong commercial acumen.
• Existing industry networks a significant plus.