Product Manager (On Demand Delivery Execution)

Takealot.com, South Africa’s leading online retailer, is looking for a highly talented Product Manager (On Demand Delivery Execution) to join our team.

We are a young, dynamic, hyper-growth company looking for smart, creative, hard-working people with integrity to join us!

Think you’ve been challenged before? Think again!

• Scale: Over 4 million happy shoppers shop online on takealot.com and 2.7 million on Mr D. Show them what you can do.
• Learn: We work with the best of the best. Work alongside leaders and upskill in record time.
• Grow: Expand your career in the fast-growing Takealot Group: Takealot.com and Mr D. We like to promote from within: Here's your chance.

Who’s who in the tech space

The position reports to the Logistics Product Lead.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

• Define and drive the roadmap for features and services that power the on-demand logistics execution platform, supporting a network of 20,000 last-mile drivers operating in the network. This includes innovating and improving the back-end systems that enable seamless and scalable delivery execution.

• Work closely with engineering, design, operations, and executive teams to enhance driver and logistics systems. Collaborate with drivers and logistics stakeholders to ensure the product meets both operational and customer needs.
• Translate business needs into actionable and measurable projects; partner with business owners to understand their challenges and priorities, to translate these into initiatives that improve the on-demand delivery experience.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by evolving product management practices to suit the fast-paced, dynamic nature of on-demand logistics.
• Define and monitor key metrics (e.g., delivery times, driver utilization, cost per delivery) to inform product decisions. Use data to create compelling business cases for prioritizing initiatives.
• You will analyse and understand project scope and core objectives through requirements workshops with stakeholders to define business requirements
• Conduct workshops with stakeholders to elicit detailed functional requirements. Document these requirements (OKR & BRS) for engineering teams to create technical specifications.
• Collaborate with technical lead and subject matter experts to establish the technical vision and analyse trade-offs between usability and performance needs.
• Work with technical leads and subject matter experts to align on the technical vision, balancing the operational trade-offs with usability, scalability, and performance.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineers, BI analysts, and UI designers, to deliver projects on time and within scope. Track project progress from concept to release, ensuring alignment with business goals.

• Evolve appropriate Product Management practices for a responsive, dynamic environment to foster cost-effective execution to commitments
• Collaborate with QA teams to review test plans and scripts, ensuring comprehensive coverage and high-quality product releases. Perform user acceptance testing to validate functionality.
• Project management by setting timelines, driving project schedules and leading cross-functional development teams from design through to release. This includes monitoring for slippage and/or updating timelines and adjusting for changing scopes of work or considering mitigation options.
• Understand your target “customer” - assess both drivers and end-users to ensure products deliver a seamless, efficient, and transparent experience..
• Performing user acceptance testing.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Relevant Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma (Information Systems/Computer Science/Engineering/Commerce) with at least 4 years of experience in product management, 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 
• Prior experience in logistics, on-demand delivery platforms, or e-commerce is highly preferred

 The skills we need:

• Execution skills: Demonstrated ability to define and execute a detailed product roadmap, particularly in the on-demand delivery or logistics space.
• On-demand platforms: An understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in on-demand delivery, including real-time logistics, driver management, and operational efficiency.
• Solution-oriented: Proactive, accountable, and motivated to solve complex problems in a fast-paced environment.
• Data-driven approach: Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to inform decisions and measure success.
• Technical acumen: Familiarity with back-end systems, APIs, and technologies that support logistics execution, such as route optimization algorithms, real-time tracking, and trip allocation logic. Thorough knowledge of prevailing and emerging mobile and e-commerce trends and technologies.
• Stakeholder management: Exceptional organizational and communication skills to balance multiple priorities and align cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional communication skills
• Attention to detail: A meticulous approach to product development and the required documentation to support the successful assessment and execution of a detailed product initiative.
• Customer advocate: A strong focus on improving the experience for both drivers and customers.

Let’s talk about life @ Takealot Group

• The power is in your hands: We offer a market-related Total Remuneration Package that allows full flexibility according to your needs. Go on, be the master of your own destiny.
• No doors: We aren’t fans of stuffy offices or siloed work environments. See someone you like? High five, collab, and make something great.
• Remote working: Love water cooler chats and working from home? Takealot.com offers a hybrid working model for the best of both worlds.
• Mentorship programme: We aren’t kidding when we say the people with the best people win. Now’s your chance to be one of the best by learning from the best.
• Naspers Tech Community & Online Learning: Share ideas and grow with global industry leaders who are all just a Slack message away. Love to learn? Up-skill with free access to courses on MyAcademy, Udacity, Coursera, and more.
• Good times: Get to know the other extraordinary minds at takealot.com during regular social events and out-of-office activities (think hikes, think mini-golf, think good times).
• Staff discount. Millions of products across 28 departments. What more could you ask for?
• Birthday leave: Cake Day all the way. Enjoy your day off - you deserve it. 
• Right tools, right job: Mac or Windows, two monitors or one. Whatever your preference, you’ll work on the latest tech of the latest tech.
• Help when you need it most: Confidential counselling, legal support and financial guidance, for free, anytime, anywhere.
• Free parking: No more 5km fun runs to your desk (unless you want to).

Like what you see? 

If you meet the above, you are an Extraordinary Mind. Apply today!!

Takealot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants from previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities will be given preference.