Category Assistant (Everyday Essentials)

Clicks Group Limited; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Clicks Group in Cape Town seeks a permanent Category Assistant to support merchandising workflows, listings, pricing, and promotions. You will liaise with stores and vendors, coordinate internal marketing activities, and maintain product data while supporting Buyers.

A Degree or Diploma in Retail or Purchasing is essential, with 3–6 months retail admin experience preferred. The role reports to the Category Manager and requires strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 3-6 months administrative retail experience (Essential) or successful completion of a Merchandise Graduate Programme.
• Previous experience as a category assistant.
• Previous experience working with critical paths and project deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Administratively manage and support all aspects of the Merchandise critical paths, including listings, promotions and sign-offs.
• Coordinate pricing queries, product availability and promotions with stores and vendors.
• Coordinate internal marketing activities and manage samples, images and pricing of promoted items.
• Prepare Merchandising manual for Buyers' sign-off.
• Obtain supplier confirmations and submit TEM billbacks to maintain profitability.
• Weekly analysis of new product launches against KPIs for scorecards and reporting.
• Assist with speed to market by submitting accurate new line forms and cost/sell price data.
• Administer and maintain the product database (listing products, vendors, status).
• Coordinate supplier in-store promotion/product activation and track progress.
• Handle general office administration and ad hoc duties.

Skills

Problem solving

Computer skills Outlook Excel PowerPt

Education

B Degree or Diploma in Retail Purchasing Management

Tools

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Category Assistant (Everyday Essentials)

Listing reference: click_027873

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 12 November 2026

Position summary

Industry: Wholesale & Retail Trade

Job category: Merchandising

Location: Cape Town

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

About our company

Clicks Group

Introduction

We are looking to recruit a permanent Category Assistant. The role will be based in Cape Town and will report to the Category Manager.

To maximise the efficiency of the departments' buying processes by ensuring effective communication and administration. Providing analytical support into product performance, promotional sell through, range reviews and category performance

Job Objectives:

• Administratively manage and support all aspects of the Merchandise critical paths, e.g., accurate new lines listing, product development process, tracking promotions and sign-off with the buyer, loading and maintaining Co-Ops, imports, Letter of Authority’s and new store openings.


• To liaise with stores and vendors with regards to pricing queries, product availability, promotions and action these requests or issues timeously.


• To co-ordinate internal marketing activities (including ClubCard) and to manage the control and review of marketing and omni-channel samples, images and pricing of promoted items, both internally (BTB, Club card, Red-line, Brand Managers) and externally (vendors).


• To prepare and complete the Merchandising manual for sign off by Buyers as per the Buyers brief.


• To obtain the supplier confirmation and submit TEM Bill backs to maintain and improve the profitability of the category.


• Weekly analysis of new product launches within category against Key Performance Indicators to provide key insights for scorecard and key reporting functions i.e. outstanding order reports, promotions sell through etc.


• To assist in ensuring speed to market in listing new productsby timeously submitting accurate new line forms and cost and sell price information to the relevant teams.


• To administer and maintain the product database, e.g. listing products, vendors, product status etc.


• To co-ordinate and track supplier in-store promotion/product activation process.


• To manage general office administration (filing, account queries, minute taking) and ad hoc duties as required by the department.

Education

• B Degree or Diploma in Retail, Purchasing Management or similar (Essential)

Job Experience

• 3-6 months administrative retail experience (Essential)/ or successful completion of a Merchandise Graduate Programme.


• Previous experience as a category assistant


• Previous experience working with critical paths and project deadlines

Job Related Knowledge

• Knowledge of buying and planning principles – 1 year (Essential)


• Knowledge of query resolution

Job Related Skills

• Problem solving and analytical thinking


• Competency in all computer packages, i.e. Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint


• Time Management


• Planning and Organising


• Decision making


• Verbal and written communication

Job Related Competencies

• Persuading and Influencing


• Analysing


• Learning and Researching


• Coping with Pressures and Setbacks


• Adhering to Principlse and Values


• Delivering Results & Meeting Customer Expectations