Ecommerce Merchandising Associate

**Role Purpose**:
The purpose of the Ecommerce Merchandising Specialist is to define, build and optimize merchandising capabilities for new online platforms. This role leverages in-depth knowledge of online retail/ecommerce merchandising to define merchandising requirements for the ecommerce platform. This will include defining tools and technology to optimize online Merchandising. Then also finally, embedding these merchandising principles. The role will entail conducting research on online customer shopping trends to recommend solutions, optimize the platform and enhance the online customer experience. This role works closely with a wide range of teams, from buyers to tech teams building the technology that enables online merchandising requirements.

**Role Description**:
Online merchandising coordination, collaboration and projects:

- Establish the online merchandising strategy for all new ecommerce projects rolled out by the Digital Commerce team.
- Define and streamline the product enrichment process and online merchandising standards for ShopriteX, and determine efficient solutions for e-merchandising platform users.
- Collaborate with internal buying teams on online product positioning and coordinate the availability of products and/or brands that address customers' needs and wants on the platform, whilst identifying and establishing a new ecommerce offering to the customers.
- Ensure that all listed products from the business are ready and viable for ecommerce trading as per online business requirements and define for the new ecommerce solution in collaboration with buying and SAP System teams.
- Ensure that all products enlisted online are enriched through collaboration with product content teams on product photography, descriptions, or information, etc.

**E-merchandising research and platform development**:

- Conduct research pertaining to online retail best practice, developments, competitors and customers from other big local and international players to inform creative elements in the build of all web and App customer pages, including product selection and product placement.
- Recommend online merchandising solutions through product data analysis, competitor and market research to optimize customer experience and campaign objectives.
- Create online merchandising pages in line with the Shoprite merchandising strategy and industry best practice.
- Define e-merchandising technology platform requirements to enable online merchandising.
- Determine online merchandising strategy and manage the operational execution of strategy into a business-as-usual framework.
- Monitor and analyze customer feedback and data to identify areas of improvement, trends in product selection and customer preference.

**Qualifications and Experience**:

- Degree or Diploma preferred in the fields of Management, Marketing, or related disciplines or equivalent experience - (essential) - +3 years of experience in an ecommerce retail, or related online business field, with in-depth knowledge in merchandising and building content for a B2C ecommerce business, including category management, buying and/or planning experience - (essential).
- Experience gathering industry-based research and feedback internal teams (I.e., online merchandising, product, buying and merchandising) into actionable inputs for online merchandising and platform solutions - (essential)
- Experience managing large amounts of detailed product data, content, pricing, image assets, etc. - (essential)
- Working knowledge of modern ecommerce platforms and content management systems (preferably in SAP Commerce/Hybris) - (essential)
- Understanding of the customer digital landscape and industry, including a product's key selling points (both written and visual), aligned to brand, relevance, and tailored to site visitors - (essential).
- Experience with Web and App analytics (ex. Google Analytics) - (highly beneficial)
- Proficient with Microsoft 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) - (essential)

**Key Competencies and Work Ethic**:

- Demonstrates Innovative skills in connecting different concepts from industry-based research and various sources to create new ecommerce merchandising offerings and shape relevant standards concerning innovative online merchandising techniques in order to achieve the fastest, most appropriate routes to market.
- Team player - Able to work and contribute towards creating a positive team spirit and morale.
- Accurate and methodical - works in a systematic manner, vigilantly carrying out tasks to ensure delivery and accuracy and initiates action to correct quality concerns.
- Assertive - Vocal when issues arise and takes action to resolve concerns. Works well with stakeholders to deliver an appropriate and specific course of action.
- Flexible thinker - able to come up with feasible solutions for improving work performance.
- Customer focused - obsessed about the customer and delivering a digital enriched customer journey experience.
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