Import Merchandiser

Supernova Brands; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Supernova Brands in Montague Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa, is seeking an Import Merchandiser to drive private label development and manage supplier relationships for major retailers. The role also covers marketplace strategy, stock forecasting, and logistics coordination.

The successful candidate will lead cross-functional collaboration with Category and Brand Managers, handle pricing requests, and ensure on-time product delivery.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of Import Merchandiser experience; senior candidates with 1+ years in high-volume environments considered
• Experience in homeware or fashion merchandising is preferred
• Proven track record in developing private label products
• Education in Fashion Buying & Merchandising or related procurement/commercial fields

Responsibilities

• Lead private label & range development with Category/Brand Managers
• Manage supplier sourcing, negotiate pricing/MOQs, and maintain cost efficiency
• Act as single point of contact for key accounts and manage sign-offs and communications
• Oversee marketplace listings, pricing, promos, and ads across platforms
• Coordinate container planning, shipping, and labeling compliance with buy plans
• Analyze sales performance for smart stock replenishment and container orders

Skills

Attention to detail

Spatial awareness

Negotiation skills

Organizational skills

Graphic design basics

Education

Fashion Merchandising degree

Procurement/Commercial background

Job description

Location: Montague Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa

Start Date: As soon as you are available to start

Job type: Full-time, on-site, Monday to Friday

We're hiring an Import Merchandiser!

Are you a detail-obsessed, highly organized Import Merchandiser who thrives in a fast-paced retail and product development environment? We are looking for a proactive and commercially minded professional to join our team, drive private label expansion, and own key retail customer relationships.

If you have a passion for homeware, strong negotiation skills, and the drive to grow into a Product Development or Brand Manager role, this is the opportunity for you!

Key Responsibilities

• Private Label & Range Development: Lead the development of in-house private label products and brands, working closely with Category Managers and Brand Managers to build coherent product stories and expand product lines.
• Supplier & Sourcing Management: Act as the main point of contact for international and local suppliers (managing 10-30+ active supplier conversations). Source new suppliers, negotiate pricing/MOQs, and ensure cost efficiency.
• Customer & Account Management: Serve as the dedicated single point of contact for key accounts (e.g., One Day Only and major retailers). Handle product sign-offs, external communications, and rapid pricing requests.
• Marketplace Strategy: Oversee listings, pricing, promotions, and sponsored ads across major e-commerce platforms (Takealot, Amazon), briefing execution teams on product updates.
• Supply Chain & Logistics: Manage container planning, shipping, airfreight, and labeling compliance while working closely with our buy plan.
• Commercial Forecasting: Analyze sales performance to make smart stock replenishment and container order decisions.

What We Are Looking For

Experience & Qualifications:

• Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience as an Import Merchandiser or Junior Import Merchandiser. Candidates from top-tier, high-volume environments will be considered with 1+ years of experience.
• Industry Focus: Prior experience in the homeware sector is strongly preferred (fashion buying/merchandising background with transferable skills will also be considered).
• Private Label Expertise: Proven track record in developing private label products from concept to final delivery.
• Education: A qualification in Fashion Buying & Merchandising (e.g., BA from LISOF, FEDISA, Stadio, etc.), Consumer Sciences (e.g., UP/Tuks), or a background in Procurement/Commercial fields.

Core Skills & Attributes:

• Unmatched Attention to Detail & Memory: Exceptional precision and high-level recall for tracking multiple supplier specs, pricing, and orders simultaneously.
• Spatial & Product Awareness: Strong abstract reasoning and 3D spatial visualization for evaluating sample accuracy and product design.
• Strong Negotiation & Firmness: Customer-facing confidence to hold your ground with suppliers on pricing and MOQs while maintaining warm, professional relationships.
• Type A Organization & Problem-Solving: Highly organized, proactive, and able to think on your feet to resolve supply chain challenges independently.
• Bonus Skill: Experience with basic graphic design (packaging design or Takealot/retailer listing images) is a strong plus!

Why Join Us?

• Career Growth: We actively invest in long-term succession planning- this role is structured to help you grow into a Product Development Manager or Brand Manager.
• Collaborative Culture: Work in a supportive, cross-functional team where your ideas and quick execution make a direct impact.