Shoprite invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for the Buyers Assistant (6 Month Contract) position in Cape Town, Western Cape. The successful candidate will support the Foods Buying department with administrative duties, purchase orders, invoices, product pricing, supplier queries and data management. Applicants must have a Grade 12 certificate, at least one year of relevant work experience, retail buying exposure and advanced Excel skills. Experience with SAP Buying or other retail systems will be an advantage. The closing date for applications is 29 October 2026.
This opportunity may suit job seekers who have experience in administration, retail buying or planning and want to grow their careers in the retail industry. The role involves working with numbers, updating product information, checking prices and helping ensure that stores receive the correct products at the right time.
The position is based in Cape Town and is offered on a six-month contract. If you meet the requirements and can work accurately under pressure, read on to learn more about the duties, qualifications and application details.
Here are the important details to know before applying.
Applicants should use the reference number SHO261009-19 when checking the vacancy on Shoprite’s recruitment platform.
The Shoprite Group is one of Africa’s major fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) retailers. It supplies customers with everyday products, including food, household essentials and other goods sold through its retail businesses.
Behind the products customers see on store shelves, there are teams responsible for buying, planning, pricing, stock management and deliveries. These departments help make sure products are available to customers and that important information is recorded correctly.
The Foods Buying department plays an important role in managing food products and supporting the group’s commercial goals. Buyers and their support teams work with suppliers, planners and other departments to help keep product information, pricing and orders up to date.
As a Buyers Assistant, you will help with these daily activities. Your work will support the buying team by ensuring that information is captured correctly, purchase orders are processed and supplier or store queries are handled efficiently.
A Buyers Assistant provides administrative and data support to the buying department. The role involves working with product information, prices, invoices, suppliers and ordering systems.
Accuracy is important because incorrect information can cause problems with orders, prices or deliveries. For example, if the wrong product price or pack size is entered into a system, it may affect how products are ordered or sold.
The successful candidate will help prevent these problems by checking information carefully and keeping records updated.
The Buyers Assistant will capture and manage buying-related information in SAP Buying. This system helps the buying department handle information connected to products, orders and other purchasing activities.
The employee must ensure that information is entered correctly and remains up to date. Accurate data helps the buying team make decisions and manage its daily work.
The position involves processing purchase orders and invoices.
A purchase order is a document used to request goods from a supplier. An invoice records the amount charged for goods or services supplied.
The Buyers Assistant must help process these documents accurately and deal with differences or mistakes when they arise. Any discrepancies must be resolved promptly to support smooth business operations.
Another important responsibility is updating and checking product costs and prices.
This includes checking different units of measurement, pack sizes and retail prices. The employee must make sure that the information recorded in the system is correct.
Careful checking helps maintain accurate product records and reduces the risk of pricing or data entry mistakes.
The successful candidate will deal with queries from vendors, suppliers, distribution centres and stores.
These questions may involve problems such as incorrect products being picked for an order, known as mispicks, or barcode irregularities.
The Buyers Assistant must investigate or direct these issues appropriately and help ensure they are resolved without unnecessary delays.
Good communication is important because the employee will work with different people across the supply chain.
The Buyers Assistant will coordinate with planners and replenishment teams to support the ordering process.
These teams help ensure that stock is ordered and supplied according to business needs. The employee will assist with timely order placement and communicate information about delivery schedules.
Working together helps the buying department and other teams manage product availability more effectively.
The job also involves keeping records up to date. These may include invoices, costing documents and supplier updates.
Proper recordkeeping makes it easier for the business to find information when needed. It also supports reporting and audit requirements.
The successful candidate must pay attention to detail and ensure that documents are stored and maintained correctly.
Products may be added to or removed from the retailer’s range as business needs change.
The Buyers Assistant will help introduce new products into the system and remove products that are no longer part of the range. The employee must ensure that the correct information is recorded and that the required range management procedures are followed.
The role includes preparing reports that help Buyers review progress against commercial targets and key performance indicators.
These reports provide information that the buying team can use to monitor performance and identify issues that need attention.
The employee may also need to escalate problems to the appropriate people when they cannot be resolved through normal procedures.
The Buyers Assistant must manage time effectively and complete tasks within the required deadlines.
The position involves several responsibilities, so the successful candidate must be able to organise work, decide which tasks need attention first and maintain accuracy even when under pressure.
Working well with other team members is also important. The employee must help create a positive working environment and support the overall success of the Foods Buying department.
Shoprite has listed several essential requirements for this position. Applicants should check that they meet these conditions before submitting their applications.
Applicants must have a Grade 12 certificate or an equivalent qualification. This is an essential requirement for the vacancy.
Candidates must have a minimum of one year’s experience in a similar role.
The experience should involve administrative duties and support for buying or planning processes. Applicants should make sure their CV clearly explains their previous responsibilities and relevant work experience.
Exposure to a retail buying environment is also essential.
This means applicants should have some experience working in an environment where products are purchased, managed or planned for retail sale. The advertisement does not state that applicants must have worked for Shoprite before.
Applicants must be proficient in Microsoft Office 365, especially Excel.
The company requires advanced Excel skills, including the ability to use formulas to prepare detailed spreadsheets.
Excel is useful for working with figures, organising product information, checking costs and preparing reports. Candidates should be comfortable working with spreadsheets and checking calculations carefully.
Experience with SAP Buying or other retail systems is preferred.
This means it can be an advantage if you have already worked with a buying system or similar software. However, the advertisement identifies this experience as preferred rather than an essential requirement.
The successful candidate must be comfortable working with numbers and processing information accurately.
This includes entering data, checking financial figures and performing calculations related to buying activities.
The role requires someone who can keep information organised and notice small errors.
Incorrect product details, prices or quantities can cause problems for the buying team. Applicants should therefore be able to work carefully while handling several tasks.
Candidates must have good spoken and written communication skills. They should be able to explain information clearly and work with colleagues and external contacts.
The ability to build positive working relationships with suppliers, stores and internal teams is also important.
The Buyers Assistant position combines administration, data processing and communication. The following skills are particularly relevant to the duties listed in the advertisement:
Applicants should highlight relevant skills and experience on their CV rather than simply listing general qualities.
Interested candidates should apply through the official Shoprite careers website.
Follow these steps to prepare your application:
Make sure your CV clearly shows how your previous experience relates to the job. For example, if you have worked with invoices, spreadsheets, supplier queries, product data or purchase orders, explain these duties in your work history.
The closing date is 29 October 2026, so submit your application before the deadline.
This vacancy is advertised as a six-month contract. Applicants should understand that it is a fixed-duration opportunity rather than a permanent position.
The advertisement does not provide a salary amount or confirm whether the contract could be extended. Candidates who need this information should check the official vacancy notice or contact the recruitment team through the appropriate official channels.
The role may be suitable for someone who already has experience in retail administration or buying support and wants to gain further experience in a large retail organisation.
This position may be a good match if you have Grade 12, at least one year of relevant experience and exposure to retail buying. You should also have advanced Excel skills and be comfortable working with numbers, invoices, prices and product information.
Experience with SAP Buying is an advantage, but the company lists it as a preferred skill rather than an essential requirement.
If you meet the essential requirements and are ready to work in a busy buying department, consider applying through Shoprite’s official careers platform.
Remember: The application deadline is 29 October 2026. Search using reference number SHO261009-19 and check the full vacancy details before submitting your CV.
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