Overview
Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited, through its Local Choice Corporate Stores Division, is seeking applications for a Frontshop Assistant at its Logan Avenue branch in Johannesburg. This permanent opportunity offers an excellent entry point into the fast-paced and rewarding world of retail pharmacy. The Frontshop Assistant role is central to ensuring high merchandising standards, efficient stock control, and excellent customer service.
The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining stock presentation, ensuring shelves are replenished and organized, and applying corporate merchandising policies to maximize sales. From restocking shelves, managing expiry dates, and executing FIFO (First In, First Out) principles, to assisting with stock counts and supporting customers with product queries, this role is vital to the smooth operation of the store. Dis-Chem emphasizes not only operational excellence but also the delivery of friendly, professional, and helpful service to every customer. This position offers growth potential within one of South Africa’s leading retail pharmacy groups and provides valuable experience in FMCG and health retail operations.
Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 / Matric (essential).
- 0 – 6 months retail work experience (essential).
- 1 year experience in retail or FMCG environment (advantageous).
- South African citizen or valid work permit.
- Driver’s license and reliable transport (preferred).
- Clear criminal and credit record.
Key Competencies and Skills
- Trustworthy, reliable, and results-driven.
- Strong customer service orientation with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Good verbal and written communication skills in English (additional languages advantageous).
- Ability to follow policies, procedures, and store standards.
- Time management and self-discipline.
- Attention to detail and accuracy in merchandising.
- Initiative, accountability, and ability to work under pressure.
- Knowledge of planograms, FMCG merchandising, and category management (advantageous).
Responsibilities
- Restock shelves and ensure merchandise is appropriately placed for maximum sales.
- Apply FIFO principles, manage expiry dates, and report damaged or expired stock.
- Maintain neat, organized, and clearly labeled storerooms.
- Ensure product labels and pricing are accurate at all times.
- Assist with cycle counts, stocktaking, and off-loading deliveries.
- Uphold merchandising standards and build displays in line with corporate policies.
- Provide professional, friendly, and helpful customer assistance.
- Report discrepancies, stock shortages, and suspicious behavior to management.
- Support training of new staff and uphold uniform and appearance policies.
- Maintain health and safety standards across workstations.
Important Notes
Remuneration is market-related. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Applicants not contacted within two weeks of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.
🧾 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 Frontshop Assistant Job Johannesburg Dis-Chem 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_Frontshop Assistant Job Johannesburg Dis-Chem_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 dedicated and customer-oriented retail professional with experience in stock control, merchandising, and frontshop operations within high-volume retail environments. Skilled in applying FIFO principles, maintaining product presentation, and supporting efficient store operations, I bring a strong commitment to accuracy, customer service, and organizational excellence. My ability to handle multiple responsibilities, from stock rotation and replenishment to resolving customer queries, positions me as a reliable contributor to store success.
With a strong foundation in FMCG and retail principles, I excel in maintaining compliance with corporate standards while delivering friendly and professional customer service. I thrive in fast-paced environments that require attention to detail, teamwork, and proactive problem-solving. My long-term career goal is to grow within the Dis-Chem Group, contributing to the company’s reputation for excellence while advancing into roles that allow me to mentor others and enhance store performance.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates must apply via the official Dis-Chem Pharmacies recruitment platform before 14 October 2025. Ensure your application includes an updated CV highlighting retail experience, attention to detail, and customer service skills.
