Merchant Acquisition Specialist

An overview of the role

As a Merchant Acquisition Executive, you will play a key role in expanding and managing our network of merchant partners across South Africa. This includes identifying new opportunities, building strong relationships, and ensuring long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that deliver value to both our merchants and our users. This role is fast-paced, target-driven, and ideal for someone who loves being out in the market — meeting people, pitching creative ideas, and bringing businesses on board.

As a Merchant Acquisition Executive you will:

· Acquire new merchants and strengthen existing partnerships across multiple categories, including dining, leisure, beauty, fitness, and entertainment.

· Proactively identify potential merchants through market visits, networking, and outreach.

· Manage the full sales cycle — from prospecting and pitching to negotiation and closure.

· Verify, collect, and process all required documentation related to merchant agreements and offers.

· Onboard and train merchants to ensure they understand how to use the platform effectively.

· Work closely with cross-functional teams (content, operations, marketing, finance) to ensure smooth onboarding and ongoing merchant satisfaction.

· Monitor merchant performance, feedback, and redemptions to ensure retention and engagement.

· Support merchants throughout the year with tactical campaigns and promotional initiatives.

· Track and report daily activities, progress against KPIs, and deal status updates.

· Conduct in-trade compliance checks and maintain up-to-date market knowledge, including competitor activities and trends.

You'll enjoy and succeed in this job if:

• You are persistent – you don't take "no" for an answer and easily come up with a solid argument and negotiate professionally; you go above and beyond to get what you need.
• You are customer focused – you listen, you understand, you are able to determine your clients' needs and deliver speedy and quality results that will benefit both parties.
• You demonstrate initiative – you don't have to be told to get your 'feet on the street' and start signing new merchants; you are able to work independently without a close supervision from your manager and do not have to be chased for results.
• You are highly organized – you are detail oriented and excellent at prioritizing to get things done in a fast-paced environment; you're not easily overwhelmed and able to look after multiple accounts at the same time.
• You are data driven – you love using data to create case studies & make projections and present them to the clients.
• You are a great communicator – you love meeting new people and building relationships with them; you can start a conversation with anyone at any time, you know how to communicate tactfully, whatever the situation and adapt accordingly.
• You are highly adaptable – you welcome change and have the ability to problem solve, prioritise and execute within short time frames.

Qualification and Experience

· Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

· Minimum of 3–5 years' experience in sales, merchant acquisition, or account management.

· Proven track record of achieving and exceeding sales targets.

· Experience in hospitality, lifestyle, retail, or FMCG industries is highly advantageous.

· Strong negotiation, analytical, and relationship management skills.

· Proficiency in MS Office and CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce).

· Excellent communication skills in English; other local languages are an advantage.

· Must have a valid driver's license and access to own transport.

· Deep knowledge of the local business environment and trends in your territory.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From R23 000,00 per month

Application Question(s):

• Must have your own mobile and computer

Experience:

• Sales: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: On the road

Application Deadline: 2024/02/28

Expected Start Date: 2024/03/01