Country Manager

What does the world’s oldest scooter, the most expensive lego set ever sold and a complete fossilized pterosaur have in common? Aside from being totally unique, they’ve all been lots through Catawiki, the world’s leading online auction house. Since selling its first lot in 2011, Catawiki has become the leading destination for collectors to buy and sell exceptional items. To help expand into new markets overseas, they’re now looking for a Country Manager with a strong background in online marketplaces and supply management.

About Catawiki

Every week, about thirty-five thousand collector’s items are auctioned off at the Catawiki platform. The online auction house presents lots in over 70 categories including art, classic cars, jewelry, watches and antiques. Bids can be placed online and via the secure app, and lots are presided over by experts: each catalogue is compiled, curated and conducted by specialist auctioneers. Online marketplaces have proven to be key drivers of the online economy, and Catawiki fills an evidently much-needed gap in the market.

“Catawiki bridges the gap between eBay and a more traditional auction house and thus offers both sellers and buyers the reassurance of the process being overseen by experienced experts, with the ease of digital technology.” – Ilse Kamps, CEO Catawiki

Catawiki started eight years ago as a crowsourced catalogue – a wiki – of comic books. The idea was quickly embraced by other collectibles communities and the first weekly auctions were held in 2011. This turned out to be an important means of monetization, which made further growth possible. Each month, over 12 million people from around the world visit the website. In 2015 and 2016, they won the Deloitte Technology Fast5 and in 2017, they were listed as number 13 in the FT1000.

International expansion

Headquartered in the Netherlands (Assen and Amsterdam), Catawiki also has international offices in France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain. As a result of it’s roots as a catalogue, it’s part of Catawiki’s DNA to be a singular platform connecting all international audiences. All online content is translated into 14 languages so that all auctions are offered globally. Further international expansion is at the top of the strategic agenda, both buyers and sellers. Frederik de Beer, Head of Supply & International Expansion, is hiring a Country Manager International to help expand into new markets.

About the position of Country Manager International

The Country Manager International will be responsible for Catawiki’s further international expansion and will focus on one or more countries. Currently, the focus areas for international expansion are Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Asia, for example Hong Kong. They will report to Frederik de Beer and will manage an Inside Sales team and (indirectly) look after a team of local auctioneers as well. Country Managers are responsible for hitting quarterly and longer-term growth targets in their region and developing the operational plans and longer term strategy to do this. The ideal candidate will be customer-focused and have extensive knowledge of (and experience in) online marketplaces and supply management. They are responsible for identifying, consolidating and analyzing the effectiveness of key seller accounts and marketplaces, so experience optimizing effectiveness is desirable.

Initially, the Country Manager will work from the HQ in Amsterdam to set up shop. Thereafter, if all goes well, this person will build the local team quickly and this may involve visits to these team members in situ. The ideal candidate will five to seven years’ experience in the online and e-commerce industry and, as the role is very much dependent on building and nurturing relationships, excellent communication skills.

Catawiki is a fresh-faced and forward-looking company that’s staffed by highly motivated and enthusiastic people and offers a great opportunity to be part of a fast growing, dynamic and international business, which continues to go from strength to strength.

Candidate profile

Personality

• Communicator
• Analytical
• Connector
• Independent

Experience

• Experience in online marketplaces
• Generating supply
• New business development
• International work experience
• Fluent Dutch and English