Senior Buyer (Toys)
takealot.com
Salary undisclosed
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Description
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 hard, work harder, and take full ownership of our wins (and learning moments!)
- Teamwork makes the dream work – we're solution-seekers who thrive on collaboration
- Got feedback? Bring it on! We're always hungry for fresh ideas and honest input 🔄
- Ego? We checked that at the door. Results? Now we're talking!
Like what you see?
If you meet the above you are an Extraordinary Mind so come and join us!
Takealot Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from the previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities, to apply.
About this role
Takealot.com is seeking a Senior Buyer for its Toys category to lead procurement strategy and execution at South Africa's largest online retailer. You would own the end-to-end buying function—from developing a growth strategy across brands and suppliers to negotiating contracts, managing stock levels, and driving new product innovation. The role sits within the Retail Team in Cape Town and requires you to deliver against sales, margin, and service level targets while mentoring junior buyers and supporting the operations and customer service teams to maintain Takealot's service standards.
This position demands at least five years of retail, commerce, or e-commerce buying experience, ideally with toys category exposure. You'll need strong commercial instincts, analytical rigor, and the ability to use data to inform decisions. A National Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Business Science or Commerce is preferred; without it, eight years of related experience is required. Beyond credentials, the company values problem-solvers with entrepreneurial mindsets who can build and manage supplier relationships, stay comfortable with change, and thrive in a collaborative, feedback-driven environment.
The role suits someone who combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution—someone equally comfortable negotiating supplier terms and SLAs as they are troubleshooting customer complaints or identifying emerging market trends. If you have existing industry networks in toys or home goods, that's a meaningful advantage.
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Pay for this role
The employer didn't post a pay range for this role. That usually means pay is set in negotiation, which favors whoever arrives with numbers. Check ranges on comparable Senior Buyer (Toys) postings in Cape Town, and analyze any offer before you accept it.
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