Shoprite Group invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for a Buyer position in South Africa. The closing date for applications is 26 August 2026. If you have a strong background in retail buying, supplier management, sourcing, negotiations, and category management, this could be an opportunity to take the next step in your career with one of South Africa’s biggest retail groups.
The Buyer will play an important role in making sure Shoprite has the right products at the right prices and in the right quantities. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning product ranges, working with suppliers, negotiating prices, following market trends, managing promotions, and helping the business achieve its sales and profit targets.
Here are the key details you should know:
A Buyer has a big responsibility in a retail business. The products customers see on store shelves do not simply appear there. Buyers help decide what products should be purchased, how much should be bought, what price should be paid to suppliers, and how products should be sold to customers.
At Shoprite, the Buyer will manage the buying process for a specific product category.
The main goal is to build a product range that customers want while helping the business increase sales and make a healthy profit.
This means you will need to understand both customers and numbers.
You must know what shoppers are looking for, keep an eye on competitors, understand market prices, negotiate with suppliers, and make decisions that support Shoprite’s business goals.
The successful candidate will handle several important areas of the buying process.
One of the main responsibilities will be deciding which products should form part of a particular category.
You will need to make sure the range gives customers enough choice while still making commercial sense for the business.
This includes:
A good Buyer needs to understand that having more products does not always mean having a better range. The right products need to be available for the right customers.
Pricing is another major part of the role.
Customers compare prices between retailers, so Shoprite needs to remain competitive.
The Buyer will be expected to:
Strong negotiation skills are particularly important because supplier prices can have a direct effect on the final selling price and the company’s profit.
The Buyer will also help manage products that are included in advertising campaigns and promotions.
This includes selecting suitable products and managing their price points.
You will also need to keep track of competitor pricing and make sure promotional products are available when customers need them.
The role involves working with the Marketing team and providing information on time so that campaigns can be planned and executed properly.
There is little value in advertising a product if customers cannot find it in stores.
The Buyer will therefore need to monitor product availability and make sure suppliers can provide the required stock.
You will also need to keep an eye on shortages and price movements and provide useful information to distribution centres.
Being proactive is important. Instead of waiting for a stock problem to become serious, the Buyer should identify potential issues early and help find solutions.
The role also includes international sourcing.
This means the successful candidate will need to look for opportunities outside the local market and identify international trends that could lead to profitable new products.
You may need to:
This part of the role can be particularly important when customers’ preferences are changing and retailers need to find new products to remain competitive.
A successful Buyer needs to understand what customers want.
When deciding which products to buy, you need to consider factors such as:
The decisions made by a Buyer can have a direct effect on what customers see when they walk into a Shoprite store.
The Buyer does not work alone.
You will work closely with different teams across the business, including:
Good communication and relationship-building skills are therefore important.
Everyone needs to be working towards the same goal: getting the right products to customers while meeting the company’s sales and profitability targets.
This is an experienced-level position, and applicants need to meet several important requirements.
You must have a:
This qualification is listed as essential.
The employer requires more than five years of experience in a buying role.
You should also have demonstrable experience handling the different parts of the buying process, particularly within a large retail organisation.
Experience with private label and imported products categories is essential.
The successful candidate should have strong experience working with suppliers.
This includes sourcing products, managing supplier relationships, and handling complex supplier negotiations.
Negotiation is especially important because Buyers need to balance supplier costs with customer pricing and the company’s profitability goals.
You should have a strong understanding of supply chain concepts, processes, and systems.
Knowing how products move from suppliers through distribution centres and eventually into stores will help you make better buying decisions.
A Buyer also needs to understand how delays, shortages, and supplier problems can affect the customer and the wider business.
Commercial awareness is another key requirement.
You should understand the different factors that influence both the cost of a product and the final selling price.
The employer also expects candidates to understand:
In simple terms, you need to understand how buying decisions affect the company’s money.
Applicants should be comfortable working with Microsoft Office 365, especially Microsoft Excel.
Advanced Excel skills are listed as an essential requirement.
This is important because Buyers often work with large amounts of information, including pricing, sales figures, product data, supplier information, and other commercial reports.
Strong Excel skills can help you analyse information and make better decisions.
This opportunity is aimed at experienced retail professionals rather than people who are just starting their careers.
It may suit you if you have:
If you have already worked as a Buyer and understand the full buying cycle, this role could be a strong match for your experience.
A Buyer has a direct influence on the products customers can purchase.
A poor buying decision can result in excess stock, shortages, lost sales, or reduced profits. A good buying decision can help the business offer customers products they actually want at competitive prices.
That is why Shoprite needs someone who can combine market knowledge, customer understanding, negotiation, financial awareness, and retail experience.
Before applying, make sure your CV clearly shows your buying experience.
Do not simply list your previous job titles. Highlight the areas where you have actually made an impact.
Your CV should clearly mention experience with:
If you have achieved measurable results, include them where possible. For example, you could highlight improvements in sales, margins, supplier costs, stock availability, or category performance.
| Job Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Company | Shoprite Group |
| Position | Buyer |
| Reference Number | SHO260817-2 |
| Job Type | Full Time |
| Location | South Africa |
| Minimum Qualification | Degree or Diploma in Business, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain or related field |
| Experience | 5+ years in a buying role |
| Retail Experience | Large retail organisation essential |
| Key Experience | Private label and imports |
| Excel | Advanced MS Excel required |
| Closing Date | 26 August 2026 |
The Shoprite Buyer position offers an opportunity for an experienced retail professional to take on a role that has a direct impact on products, pricing, suppliers, sales, and profitability.
If you have the required qualification, more than five years of buying experience, strong supplier negotiation skills, retail knowledge, and advanced Excel abilities, make sure your application clearly demonstrates these strengths.
The closing date is 26 August 2026, so interested candidates should prepare and submit their applications before the deadline.
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