Overview
Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited, one of South Africa’s most trusted health and beauty retailers, is seeking enthusiastic and customer-focused individuals to join their team as Casual Merchandisers at Castle Gate, Pretoria. This permanent position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic retail environment while building valuable skills in merchandising, customer service, and store operations.
The primary purpose of this role is to ensure that Dis-Chem’s high merchandising standards are consistently upheld. Casual Merchandisers are responsible for replenishing shelves, rotating stock, monitoring sell-by dates, and maintaining neat and attractive product displays that contribute to an outstanding shopping experience. Beyond stock control, the position plays a crucial role in customer satisfaction by assisting with queries, providing product information, and delivering professional, friendly service that aligns with Dis-Chem’s brand promise of excellence.
This role is ideal for candidates looking to grow their careers within the retail and FMCG industry. As part of a fast-paced team, the Merchandiser will actively contribute to sales growth by ensuring stock availability, assisting with promotions, and supporting general store upkeep. With exposure to various store operations, this position also serves as a stepping stone to further opportunities within Dis-Chem.
Dis-Chem seeks individuals who are reliable, presentable, and able to work flexible retail hours, including weekends and public holidays. The role requires a hands-on approach, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure while maintaining accuracy in tasks such as stock counting and price checking. In return, Dis-Chem offers a market-related salary and the chance to join a respected organisation that values trust, teamwork, and customer service excellence.
Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 / Matric (essential).
- Up to 6 months’ retail experience.
- Computer literacy (MS Office).
- Willingness to work retail hours, weekends, and public holidays.
- Advantageous: 1 year retail experience.
Key Competencies and Skills
- Strong communication and customer engagement abilities.
- Trustworthy, reliable, and honest.
- Time management and organisational skills.
- Knowledge of FMCG merchandising standards (advantageous).
- Bilingual communication is beneficial.
Responsibilities
- Restock merchandise promptly to maximise sales.
- Rotate stock using FIFO principles and monitor sell-by dates.
- Maintain neat, well-labeled shelves with correct pricing.
- Assist with promotions, merchandising displays, and stock counts.
- Report low stock, damaged goods, or discrepancies to management.
- Provide professional and courteous customer assistance.
- Uphold store standards, safety requirements, and Dis-Chem policies.
- Assist with training new staff members as needed.
Important Notes
Must be physically fit to lift and move stock. Clear criminal and credit record required. Reliable transport and/or residence near Castle Gate. South African citizenship essential.
🧾 ATS-Friendly CV Guide
In today’s digital job market, most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs before human eyes ever see them. These systems are designed to scan documents for keywords, structure, and formatting that align with the job description. An ATS-friendly CV improves your chance of getting past automated filters and landing an interview. Whether you are applying for the Dis-Chem Casual Merchandiser Pretoria position at Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited or another opportunity, your CV must speak both to machines and people. This guide walks you through proven strategies to optimize your CV from top to bottom, offering practical examples, formatting tips, and best practices to maximize your success.
1. ✅ CV Structure
- Header: Example — Thabo Khumalo | 0612 74 1234 | [email protected] | Randburg, South Africa.
- Professional Summary: Tailored to the role. E.g., “Motivated customer service agent with 3+ years’ experience in retail and a track record of increasing client satisfaction scores by 25%.”
- Key Skills: Include 6–10 bullet points. E.g., Point of Sale (POS) systems, Inventory control, Conflict resolution, Merchandising, SAP, Microsoft Excel.
- Work Experience: Reverse-chronological. Example:
- Retail Assistant | Bradlows | Jan 2022 – Present
- • Assisted 40+ daily customers with purchases and queries.
- • Maintained 98% shelf availability by overseeing stock rotation.
- Education: Highest level first. E.g., “Diploma in Business Management, UNISA, 2021.”
- Certifications: “Occupational Health and Safety, 2023 (SASSETA)”
- References: “Available upon request” unless stated otherwise in job ad.
2. 🖋️ Typography & Formatting
- Font Choice: Use clean fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica — ATS systems can misread decorative fonts.
- Font Size: Body text should be 10.5pt–12pt; Headings 14pt–16pt for readability and emphasis.
- Spacing & Margins: Use 1.15–1.5 line spacing. Keep margins at 0.75–1 inch. This ensures text isn’t cramped and is easy to scan.
- Avoid: Tables, columns, headers/footers, text boxes — most ATS software can't interpret them properly.
- File Format: Save your CV as a PDF or DOCX — PDF preserves formatting across devices, DOCX is often required by ATS platforms.
3. ✏️ Content Best Practices
- Mirror Job Language: If the ad says “inventory management,” use that term instead of synonyms like “stock control.”
- Quantify Achievements: Numbers give weight. E.g., “Managed R50,000 monthly inventory with < 2% loss.”
- Tailor for Each Job: Don't send the same CV to every employer. Highlight different skills depending on the job ad.
- Be Clear, Not Clever: Avoid vague buzzwords. Say what you did and how it helped your company.
- Proofread! ATS won't reject for spelling — but hiring managers will. Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway.
4. 📷 Photo?
- Photos are discouraged unless required. ATS software can’t read them and they can add bias.
- If required (e.g., acting, modeling), choose a neutral background, natural lighting, and professional attire.
- Ensure file size is small if embedded. Avoid image-heavy CVs as they increase loading time.
5. 🔍 ATS Keyword Optimization Tips
Copy the exact job description and extract nouns and verbs that repeat. For example, for a Retail Assistant post: “customer service,” “cash handling,” “inventory,” “POS,” “stocktaking,” “sales target,” “merchandising,” and “teamwork.”
6. ✅ Dos and ❌ Don’ts of ATS CVs
- ✅ Use job-relevant keywords
- ✅ Keep formatting simple and consistent
- ✅ Quantify wherever possible
- ❌ Don’t include tables or graphics
- ❌ Don’t submit images or logos
- ❌ Don’t use colored or stylized fonts
7. 💾 File Naming & Saving Tips
- Name format: YourName_Dis-Chem Casual Merchandiser Pretoria_CV.pdf
- Save as PDF unless job ad specifies otherwise
- Avoid spaces in filenames: Use underscores instead
- Check file size — keep it under 2MB
8. 🧠 More about ATS
Your CV is the first impression recruiters and ATS software get of you. To pass the ATS filter, you must optimize your CV with clean formatting, appropriate keyword use, and targeted content. Focus on clearly structuring each section: headline, summary, skills, work experience, education, and certifications. Customize the content for every role by mirroring the terminology and phrasing used in the job advert. Quantify achievements wherever possible. Format with simplicity — avoid graphics and stick to standard fonts. Proofreading is non-negotiable: even small typos can disqualify you. Save and name your file properly to avoid compatibility issues. Remember, your CV must be easily readable by both algorithms and humans. By applying the principles in this guide, you will greatly improve your chances of being shortlisted for interviews and finding the right role for your skills.
Professional Summary Example
I am a detail-oriented and customer-driven retail professional with proven experience in merchandising and stock management. My ability to maintain accurate stock levels, monitor expiry dates, and ensure neat, well-presented displays has consistently contributed to improved sales and enhanced customer satisfaction. With a strong foundation in retail operations, I bring organisational efficiency, attention to detail, and reliability to every task. I am also skilled in supporting promotional activities, assisting with product placement, and ensuring that store environments are both attractive and compliant with merchandising standards.
Beyond merchandising, I am passionate about delivering excellent customer service. My approachable and professional manner allows me to engage effectively with diverse customers, address their queries, and guide them towards the right products. I value teamwork but can also work independently under pressure, ensuring tasks are completed accurately and within deadlines. By combining hands-on retail experience with a strong work ethic, I aim to contribute meaningfully to Dis-Chem’s commitment to quality, professionalism, and customer-first service.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should apply via the Dis-Chem Careers Portal before 3 September 2025. Applicants must ensure that their CV highlights relevant retail, merchandising, or customer service experience.
