Overview
Dis-Chem Pharmacies is currently seeking dedicated individuals to join their Mall of Tembisa store as Casual Merchandisers. This opportunity, open to entry-level job seekers, provides exposure to the fast-paced retail sector while building essential merchandising and customer service skills. As part of Dis-Chem’s ongoing recruitment strategy, this role helps create a pool of qualified individuals suitable for future opportunities within one of South Africa’s leading retail pharmacy groups.
This article provides an in-depth, third-party overview to assist job seekers in understanding the role, expectations, required competencies, and how to submit a competitive application. The content is written to be helpful, comprehensive, and search-friendly to support job seekers and informational readers alike.
The Casual Merchandiser role at Dis-Chem is designed for individuals who are eager to gain retail experience and play a key part in maintaining store standards. The position involves ensuring shelves are fully stocked, products are in good condition, displays are attractive, and customers receive friendly assistance when needed.
Since this role forms part of Dis-Chem’s pre-screened recruitment pool, successful candidates may also be considered for future opportunities within the company. This makes it a strong starting point for job seekers wanting long-term growth in the retail or FMCG industry.
Minimum Requirements
- Essential Requirements
- Grade 12 / Matric
- Up to 6 months retail experience
- Computer literacy (MS Office)
- Willing & able to work retail hours
- Advantageous
- 1 year retail experience
Key Competencies and Skills
- Essential
- Strong command of English
- Presentable and professional
- Good customer engagement skills
- Honesty and trustworthiness
- Time management & reliability
- Advantageous
- Bilingual
- Knowledge of merchandising and FMCG
- Product and category knowledge
- Ability to identify suspicious activity
- Understanding of stock reports such as ZMORE
Responsibilities
- Restock merchandise to maintain product availability.
- Ensure stock from storerooms is packed correctly and on time.
- Check product expiration dates and ensure FIFO rotation.
- Report low stock, damaged stock, and expired items.
- Build, face-up, and maintain merchandising displays.
- Ensure all items have correct pricing and labels.
- Store Standards & Maintenance
- Keep store shelves neat, clean, and attractive.
- Flatten boxes and remove waste from shop floor.
- Maintain responsibility for designated stock areas.
- Assist with loading/offloading stock deliveries.
- Stocktaking & Reporting
- Assist with stock counting and file management.
- Follow Dis-Chem operating standards and planograms.
- Report all price discrepancies to management.
- Customer Service Support
- Provide friendly and helpful customer assistance.
- Follow up on customer “out of stock” queries.
- Assist new staff with basic training.
- Compliance & Safety
- Handle merchandise carefully to minimize losses.
- Follow SOPs, policies, and safety regulations.
- Wear full uniform and name badge at all times.
Important Notes
Must be physically fit and able to lift boxes. Must have reliable transport or live nearby. Must be a South African citizen. Credit and criminal checks will apply. Working retail hours, weekends, and public holidays is mandatory.
🧾 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 Vacancy 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 Vacancy_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
A dedicated and proactive Merchandiser with experience supporting retail operations through effective shelf management, stock rotation, and customer engagement. Demonstrates strong attention to detail, the ability to follow store planograms, and a commitment to maintaining clean, organized, and fully stocked displays. Capable of executing merchandising standards, managing stock flow from storerooms to shelves, and ensuring all products are labeled, priced, and presented correctly to maximize sales.
Known for excellent communication, reliability, and the ability to work efficiently in busy retail environments, this candidate brings a strong sense of professionalism and customer service. Skilled in identifying low stock levels, reporting discrepancies, supporting stocktaking, and ensuring compliance with store procedures. Motivated, hardworking, and adaptable, they consistently support smooth store operations and deliver a positive shopping experience for customers.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply through the Dis-Chem Pharmacies careers portal under the listing Casual Merchandiser – Mall of Tembisa before the closing date 19 November 2025. Ensure your CV includes your retail experience, customer service skills, and familiarity with merchandising standards.
