Job Objectives
Payarena Mall, the digital commerce arm of our fintech company, is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Head of General Merchandise to lead and scale the department.
This role is responsible for the strategic direction, vendor portfolio growth, product assortment optimization, and revenue generation across a wide range of non-fashion categories such as electronics, home & kitchen, personal care, baby products, office supplies, and more.
The ideal candidate will have deep experience in e-commerce or retail, exceptional leadership capabilities, and a strong commercial mindset to drive growth, profitability, and market competitiveness.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Category Management:
Define and execute the strategic roadmap for the General Merchandise Department, aligned with Payarena Mall's overall vision and growth targets.
Lead category planning, assortment strategy, and pricing initiatives to improve customer experience and drive conversions.
Identify trends and demand patterns to expand and optimize the product offering across key verticals.
Vendor & Partner Management:
Acquire, manage, and grow relationships with high-impact vendors, distributors, and brand partners.
Negotiate commercial terms, supplier incentives, exclusivity deals, and strategic campaigns.
Monitor vendor compliance with SLAs on pricing, quality, stock availability, and fulfillment.
Revenue & Performance Management:
Drive revenue growth through assortment expansion, product bundling, pricing strategy, and promotions.
Track sales performance, conversion metrics, and customer feedback; use insights to adjust
strategy and enhance performance.
Ensure effective execution of merchandising, catalog management, and content optimization.
Team Leadership & Collaboration:
Lead and mentor a team of category managers, business development executives, and account officers.
Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, technology, logistics, customer service, and finance to ensure operational excellence.
Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Key Performance Indicator
As agreed from time to time based on business exigencies.
Job Requirements
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Marketing, or related field (MBA is a plus).
Experience:
Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in e-commerce, retail, or FMCG—minimum 3 years in a senior leadership role. Post NYSC experience.
Compentencies Requirements
Knowledge/Experience:
Proven track record in managing multiple product categories and delivering commercial success.
Deep understanding of vendor ecosystem, inventory planning, pricing strategies, and customer behavior.
Strong leadership, negotiation, and analytical skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Proficiency in Excel, ERP systems, and e-commerce dashboards (e.g., Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce).
Preferred Attributes:
Previous experience in managing general merchandise categories on an e-commerce platform.
Strong market knowledge of consumer goods in Nigeria.
Results-oriented with a passion for retail and customer satisfaction.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, data-driven, and evolving environment.
Skill/Competencies:
Strong interpersonal skills.
Excellent written/oral communication skills.
Strong analytical skills.
Organizational skills.
Confident negotiator and ability to close the right type of business deals at the highest level.