Amazon is currently promoting 50 full-time positions and one seasonal job opportunity in South Africa, with many of the roles linked to its forthcoming launch of a marketplace in the country.
The e-commerce giant is seeking a customer service lead for its South African operations, a B-BBEE senior programme manager, a transportation and fulfillment manager, and various roles related to vendors and the supply chain.
Earlier this year, Amazon announced its intention to launch Amazon.co.za in 2024, enabling South African merchants to connect with customers nationwide.
The announcement highlighted that more than 60% of sales in Amazon’s stores come from independent sellers, primarily small and medium-sized businesses.
Amazon’s General Manager for the Sub-Saharan Africa region, Robert Koen, expressed the company’s anticipation of the South African launch, stating, “[We look forward to] providing local sellers, brand owners, and entrepreneurs — small and large — the opportunity to grow their business with Amazon, and delivering great value and a convenient shopping experience for customers across South Africa.”
Initial plans for Amazon’s South African marketplace launch in February 2023 were delayed due to uncertain economic conditions. Sources familiar with Amazon’s South African operations indicated that while the e-commerce giant had put its plans for a Nigerian marketplace on hold, it would proceed with its South African expansion, despite a postponed timeline.
Prior to the official launch announcement, leaked documents in June 2022 unveiled Amazon’s intentions to introduce a marketplace in South Africa, known internally as “Project Fela.”
A document on Amazon’s Carrier Central webpage for South Africa in late May 2023 disclosed plans for at least one fulfillment center in Johannesburg and another in Cape Town.
Amazon began advertising marketplace-related positions in South Africa in August 2022. The company will enter into direct competition with existing South African e-commerce players such as Takealot, Makro, and Bob Shop.
