Shoprite Is Looking For Buyers Assistants

Shoprite is inviting suitably qualified applicants to apply for its Buyers Assistant vacancy in South Africa. This is a contract position for someone who can support the buying team with orders, pricing, product information, invoices, reports and other important administrative tasks. The closing date for applications is 2 September 2026.

If you have Grade 12, experience in buying or planning and strong Excel skills, this Shoprite Buyers Assistant opportunity could be a good career move. The role is especially suited to someone who enjoys working with numbers, checking information and keeping things organised.

Shoprite Buyers Assistant Job Opportunity

The Buyers Assistant plays an important role behind the scenes.

When customers walk into a Shoprite store and see products neatly displayed on shelves, there is a lot of work that has already happened before those products get there. Buying teams help make sure products are ordered, priced, recorded and available to stores.

The Buyers Assistant supports this process by handling many of the administrative and operational tasks linked to buying.

You will work closely with Buyers and the wider Buying team to help achieve commercial and business targets.

This means the successful candidate needs to be organised, accurate and willing to get things done.

What Does a Buyers Assistant Do?

A Buyers Assistant helps keep the buying process running smoothly.

The job includes working with product information, costs, prices, orders, invoices, suppliers, distribution centres and stores.

You will also need to check information carefully and fix errors when you find them.

A small mistake in a price, cost or product record can affect many stores, so attention to detail is very important.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for several important tasks.

Loading Costs for Distribution Centres

You will make sure costs are loaded accurately for distribution centres.

Correct cost information helps Planners order the right stock and ensures that buying information is available when it is needed.

This requires careful data entry and regular checking of information.

Setting Correct Prices

Another important part of the role is making sure prices are correct for different units of measure.

You may work with pack sizes, costs and unit selling prices.

The information needs to be accurate so that products are correctly set up in the system and the right prices can be used.

Checking Cost and Sales Price Information

Buyers and Planners may set up cost and sales price information, but the Buyers Assistant will also help check that the information is correct.

You will need to identify errors and correct them as soon as possible.

This is one reason why being comfortable working with numbers is important for this job.

Maintain Retail Pricing

The successful candidate will capture and maintain accurate retail pricing.

You will need to pay close attention to detail when working with price information.

Accuracy is important because incorrect pricing can create problems for stores, customers and the wider business.

Helping Stores With Queries

Stores may sometimes have questions or problems relating to stock.

As a Buyers Assistant, you will help resolve store-related queries involving stock issues and errors.

You may need to contact or work with other teams to find the correct answer and make sure the issue is dealt with promptly.

Good communication skills can therefore be very useful.

Supporting Consumer Enquiries

The role also involves supporting Checkline with consumer enquiries.

This means you may help provide information or deal with questions that require assistance from the buying team.

The position also includes helping with inter-branch transfers and assisting with order placement.

Managing New Products

New products need to be correctly recorded in the buying system.

You will maintain up-to-date records of newly listed products in SAP Buying and work with Buyers and Planners to make sure the information is accurate.

If you have used SAP Buying or a similar retail system before, this could be an advantage.

Managing the Product Lifecycle

Products do not always stay in stores forever.

The Buyers Assistant will help with different stages of a product’s lifecycle.

This can include:

• Ranging products.
• Deranging products.
• Processing markdowns.
• Managing item discontinuations.
• Keeping product information up to date.

These tasks require good organisation because there may be many products and records to manage.

Invoices and Supplier Records

Administration is another major part of the position.

You will maintain accurate records of invoices, costing documents and supplier information.

Good filing helps the buying team quickly find important documents when they are needed.

The successful candidate should therefore be comfortable working with paperwork, electronic records and detailed information.

Reports and Performance Monitoring

The Buyers Assistant will also generate reports on purchasing activities.

You may need to monitor key performance indicators and identify issues that require attention.

If you notice a problem, you may be expected to escalate it to the relevant person or team.

This means you need to be comfortable working with data and understanding what the numbers are telling you.

Shoprite Buyers Assistant Requirements

Before applying, make sure you meet the requirements.

The following are required or preferred for the position:

• A Grade 12 certificate is essential.
• At least 1 year of experience in a similar role supporting buying or planning functions.
• Retail experience is preferred.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office 365.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• The ability to use Excel formulas to prepare detailed spreadsheets.
• Exposure to a retail buying environment.
• Knowledge of SAP Buying or a similar retail system is desirable.
• Strong numerical skills.
• Good data processing abilities.
• High accuracy when working with financial calculations.
• Accurate data entry skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• The ability to prioritise tasks.
• The ability to meet deadlines.
• The ability to work under pressure.
• Strong motivation and a willingness to take initiative.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in English.
• Strong attention to detail.
• A focus on data accuracy and integrity.
• The ability to follow company procedures.
• Good teamwork skills.
• The ability to work with internal teams, vendors and suppliers.

Advanced Excel Skills Matter

One of the requirements that stands out is advanced Excel knowledge.

This is not simply a job where you will open a spreadsheet and enter a few numbers.

The role involves preparing detailed spreadsheets and using formulas. You should therefore be comfortable working with data and checking calculations.

If you have experience using Excel to organise information, calculate figures, create reports or identify errors, this could be useful in the position.

Who Would Suit This Job?

This role could suit someone who enjoys working behind the scenes and making sure everything is in order.

You should be someone who notices small mistakes instead of ignoring them.

For example, if a price does not look right, you should be willing to check it. If information is missing, you should follow up. If a deadline is approaching, you should know what needs to be done first.

The job also requires energy and drive.

You may have several tasks to handle during the day, so good time management and organisation will be important.

Working With Suppliers and Internal Teams

A Buyers Assistant does not work alone.

You will communicate with Buyers, Planners, stores, distribution centres, vendors and suppliers.

Because of this, you need to be comfortable communicating with different people.

Building good working relationships can make it easier to solve problems and get information when it is needed.

Professional communication is important, whether you are sending an email, answering a query or following up on an outstanding issue.

Why Attention to Detail Is Important

Buying involves many numbers and pieces of information.

A product can have a cost price, retail price, pack size, supplier record and other details that need to match correctly.

A mistake can lead to delays or incorrect information being passed to stores.

That is why Shoprite needs someone who takes data accuracy seriously.

You should be willing to check your work before moving on to the next task.

Shoprite Buyers Assistant Job Details

Company: Shoprite
Job Title: Buyers Assistant
Reference Number: SHO260824-1
Job Type: Contract
Location: South Africa
Closing Date: 2 September 2026

A Chance to Build Retail Buying Experience

Working as a Buyers Assistant can give you valuable experience in the retail buying environment.

You will learn more about how products move through the buying process, how prices and costs are managed, how suppliers communicate with retailers and how stores receive the information they need.

The experience can also help you develop practical skills in Excel, data processing, reporting, administration, communication and retail operations.

If you already have experience in buying or planning and want to grow your career in retail, this opportunity may be worth considering.

Apply Before 2 September 2026

The Shoprite Buyers Assistant vacancy has a closing date of 2 September 2026.

Before applying, check that you have the required Grade 12 certificate, relevant experience and the necessary Excel and data skills.

If you meet the requirements and are ready to take on a role that combines buying support, administration, numbers, data and teamwork, make sure your application is submitted before the closing date.

Do not leave your application until the last minute. Check your information carefully and make sure your CV clearly shows your relevant experience and skills.