Packaging Optimisation Specialist

takealot.com, South Africa's leading online retailer, is looking for a highly talentedPackaging Optimisation Specialist  to join our team in Cape Town

We are a young, dynamic, hyper growth company looking for smart, creative, hard-working people with integrity to join us. We offer a market related, Total Remuneration Package which allows full flexibility according to your needs, a great work environment and a promise that you won’t be bored as long as you are prepared for a challenge and want to build something great.

This position reports to the :National Planning & Procurement Manager

Your responsibilities will include:

• Create a long-term plan (2-3 years) for improving how Takealot packages products, aligned with the company's growth, cost-saving, and environmental goals.
• Look at what global e-commerce leaders like Amazon, Flipkart, Alibaba, and Jumia are doing with packaging, and bring the best ideas to Takealot.
• Set clear packaging goals (KPIs) for the whole company and report progress to senior management.
• Build a system to track key packaging data - parcel sizes, how well boxes are filled, how much material is used, damage rates, and cost per parcel.
• Analyse order and product data to figure out the best box sizes and reduce wasted space in parcels.
• Use data to predict how much packaging material will be needed, so the warehouse doesn't run out or overstock.
• Study how packing stations work - watch how long tasks take and where delays happen - to find ways to speed things up and make the work easier for staff.
• Create standard packaging instructions that all Takealot warehouses follow, so every parcel is packed the same way.
• Use proven improvement methods (like 5S and Kaizen) to make the packing process faster, cleaner, and more efficient.
• Find and test new packaging technologies, including:
• Machines that make custom-sized boxes on the spot (Cross boarder Merchants)
• Automated systems that fill empty space in parcels/ Void fill innovations
• Smart packaging with tracking chips (RFID/NFC)
• Liquid protection packaging solutions Cheaper and sustainable packaging for Returns to Merchants Dark store packaging material types and 
• Run structured trials for new ideas - with a clear plan, success measures, and a decision on whether to roll them out or not.
• Keep a list of upcoming packaging innovations and report progress every quarter to the innovation committee.
• Category Management: Work with product teams to understand what different items need - fragile products, electronics, groceries, or large items.
• Supplier Relations & Procurement: Manage relationships with packaging suppliers, negotiate prices, and make sure there's always enough stock.
• Logistics & Last-Mile: Make sure packaging choices work well with delivery vehicles and courier size and weight limits.
• Customer Experience: Keep an eye on customer feedback about packaging and use it to improve.
• Engineering & Facilities: Work with the warehouse team on how packing stations are laid out and how new machines fit in.
• Keep a list of approved packaging suppliers and regularly check how they perform on quality, delivery time, pricing, and sustainability.
• Meet with suppliers regularly to review their performance and address any issues.
• Look for local South African packaging manufacturers to reduce reliance on imports and support local industry.
• Reduce the amount of single-use plastic, filler materials, and overall waste in packaging.
• Test eco-friendly alternatives - like biodegradable, compostable, recycled, or reusable packaging - that work in South Africa.
• Make sure Takealot follows South African environmental regulations (EPR) and contribute to the company's sustainability reports.
• Work with the sustainability team to measure the carbon footprint of each parcel and set targets to bring it down

Qualification & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Packaging Science,  or a related field
• 5-7 years' experience in packaging engineering, fulfilment operations, continuous improvement, or supply chain optimisation.
• Proven track record of leading cost-reduction or sustainability programmes with measurable, documented results.
• Strong analytical capability - proficiency in SQL, Excel/Google Sheets, and at least one BI tool (Power BI, Tableau, Looker).
• Experience with lean methodology and process-improvement frameworks (Six Sigma Green/Black Belt is a strong plus).
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and present to senior leadership.
• Willingness to spend significant time on the warehouse floor - this is not a desk-only role.
• Background working within digital marketplaces, large-scale retail logistics, or third-party logistics (3PL) operations.
• Knowledge of robotic systems and advanced mechanical packaging automation.

Attributes Required:

• Packaging Knowledge: Strong understanding of packaging materials, box design, void-fill options, and protective packaging solutions across different product categories.
• Data Analysis: Ability to work with large datasets - using SQL, Excel, and BI tools (Looker, Power BI, Tableau) to analyse packaging performance and find improvement opportunities.
• Process Improvement: Practical experience with lean methodologies such as 5S, Kaizen, value-stream mapping, and time-and-motion studies.
• Project Management: Ability to run structured pilots and projects from idea through to rollout - planning, tracking milestones, managing budgets, and reporting results.
• Supplier Management: Experience managing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, and tracking supplier performance against agreed standards.
• Sustainability Knowledge: Understanding of eco-friendly packaging materials, recycling standards, EPR regulations, and carbon footprint measurement.
• Technology Awareness: Familiarity with packaging automation, on-demand box-making machines, and smart packaging technologies.
• Problem-Solving: Able to break down complex operational problems, identify root causes, and develop practical solutions that work on the warehouse floor.
• Stakeholder Influence: Able to build relationships across multiple teams - operations, procurement, logistics, category, and sustainability - and get buy-in for new ideas.
• Hands-On Mindset: Comfortable spending time on the warehouse floor observing processes, testing materials, and working alongside packing teams. This is not a desk-only role.
• Strategic Thinking: Able to see the big picture - where packaging fits into Takealot's long-term goals - while also delivering short-term cost savings.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced e-commerce environment where order volumes, product ranges, and priorities change quickly.
• Communication: Able to present complex data and ideas clearly to senior leadership, and explain packaging standards simply to warehouse teams.
• Ownership: Takes full responsibility for outcomes - from identifying an opportunity to implementing the solution and measuring the results.
• Commercial Awareness: Understands the cost implications of packaging decisions and how they affect the bottom line, courier costs, and customer experience.

The Environment: 

• takealot.com employees are entrepreneurial and dynamic, smart, customer- centric, fun and have the shared ambition of takealot.com being the leading e- commerce company in Africa. 
• We have fun, work hard, take ownership, work in teams to create solutions, and are always open to direct feedback/new ideas on where we can improve. 
• We are short on ego and high on output. 
• We are doers and not only thinkers, its all in the execution after all. 
• We love what we do and what we are creating.
• We seek to employ an Extra Ordinary Mind who is Smart, has Integrity, and is Hardworking. 

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.