Overview
Markham, a leading men’s fashion retailer under The Foschini Group (TFG), is seeking an experienced Store Visual Merchandiser (40hr) for their vibrant Sandton branch. This exciting opportunity is ideal for individuals passionate about fashion, creativity, and delivering an outstanding in-store experience. As part of TFG’s dynamic retail network, the successful candidate will play a vital role in maintaining the store’s visual identity, driving sales through impactful visual displays, and staying ahead of the latest global fashion trends.
The role involves more than just arranging displays — it’s about creating visual stories that inspire customers and strengthen Markham’s reputation as a trend-setting lifestyle brand. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of customer behavior, possess excellent organizational and communication skills, and be confident in translating brand guidelines into visually captivating experiences. Joining the Markham movement means becoming part of a culture that values innovation, growth, and teamwork — where style meets purpose.
Minimum Requirements
- Matric Certificate (Grade 12)
- Proven Visual Merchandising experience (essential)
- Previous retail experience within the fashion or lifestyle sector
- Strong business acumen and ability to work under pressure
Key Competencies and Skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong ability to persuade and influence others
- Creative mindset with a passion for fashion and design
- Organized and detail-oriented, capable of multitasking in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to work independently while meeting brand standards
- Effective at decision-making and problem-solving
- A strong collaborator who builds lasting relationships with customers and team members
- Innovative thinker, comfortable adopting digital tools and technology trends
- Demonstrates initiative and ownership over assigned responsibilities
Responsibilities
- Implement and maintain world-class visual merchandising (VM) execution within the store.
- Stay current with the latest fashion trends to influence in-store displays.
- Follow Markham’s visual and housing guidelines to ensure consistency.
- Plan, prioritize, and execute daily visual activities and promotional layouts.
- Maintain adequate control systems to ensure visual standards are met.
- Enhance the customer brand experience through impactful and innovative visual storytelling.
- Manage assets, stock presentation, and expenses to maximize efficiency.
- Support sales goals through creative visual strategies that drive engagement and conversions.
Important Notes
Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups, as per the Employment Equity Act. TFG values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified individuals who are passionate about retail and design.
🧾 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 Store Visual Merchandiser Job Sandton position at The Foschini Group (TFG) – Markham 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_Store Visual Merchandiser Job Sandton_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 highly creative and detail-oriented Visual Merchandiser with a strong passion for fashion trends, retail design, and customer experience. Skilled in developing visually engaging displays that enhance brand identity, attract customers, and drive sales. Experienced in executing visual merchandising strategies that align with corporate guidelines while maintaining a deep understanding of the target audience. Proven ability to balance creativity with business acumen, ensuring that visual concepts contribute to measurable store performance and profitability.
Possesses exceptional organizational and communication skills, with a talent for multitasking and prioritizing work in fast-paced retail environments. Demonstrates initiative, teamwork, and leadership in maintaining brand consistency and fostering customer satisfaction. Dedicated to continuous improvement, trend awareness, and innovation in visual storytelling. Seeking to contribute these skills and insights to Markham and The Foschini Group to elevate customer experience and support the brand’s market growth.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants can apply directly through The Foschini Group’s official careers portal. Ensure your CV highlights your experience in fashion merchandising, creativity, and customer engagement.
