Senior Buyer (Toys)
takealot.com, South Africa's leading online retailer, is looking for a highly talented Senior Buyer (Toys) to join our Retail Team in Cape Town.
The successful incumbet will be responsible to take a leadership role in the procurement and purchasing process within Takealot, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and making strategic decisions to ensure a reliable and cost-effective supply chain while also mentoring and providing guidance to junior buyers within the procurement team.
This position reports to the Divisional Buying Manager
Your responsibilities will include
- Develop a comprehensive Toys 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.)
Qualification & Experience
- 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.
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 Home industry and the potential of e-commerce.
- Understanding of the key business drivers within online retail.
- Entrepreneurial/commercial mindset.
The Environment
- We laugh...