Category Assistant - NPD (Frontshop Beauty)

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

Job summary

Clicks Group in Cape Town seeks a Category Assistant for NPD (Frontshop Beauty) to support merchandising and product development processes. The role reports to the NPD Buyer and focuses on listing accuracy, supplier coordination, and data administration.

The position emphasizes analytical support for product performance, promotions, ranges, and category reporting, with responsibilities spanning critical paths, pricing queries, and in-store activation coordination.

Qualifications

• B Degree or Diploma in Retail, Purchasing Management or similar (Essential).
• 3-6 months administrative retail experience (Essential) or successful completion of a Merchandise Graduate Programme.
• Experience as a category assistant and working with critical paths and deadlines.
• Knowledge of buying and planning principles – 1 year (Essential).

Responsibilities

• Administratively manage and support all aspects of merchandising critical paths, e.g., listing new lines, product development, tracking promotions and sign-off with the buyer.
• Liaise with stores and vendors regarding pricing, product availability, promotions and action requests in a timely manner.
• Coordinate internal marketing activities (including ClubCard) and manage samples, images and pricing of promoted items with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare and complete the Merchandising manual for sign-off by Buyers per the Buyers brief.
• Obtain supplier confirmation and submit TEM Bill backs to maintain and improve category profitability.
• Weekly analysis of new product launches within category against KPIs to provide insights for scorecards and reporting.
• Assist in speed-to-market for listing new products by submitting accurate forms and cost/sell price information.
• Maintain the product database (listing products, vendors, status, etc.).
• Coordinate and track supplier in-store promotion/product activation processes.
• Manage general office administration and ad hoc department duties.

Skills

Problem solving

Time management

Planning & organising

Decision making

Verbal & written communication

Education

B Degree or Diploma in Retail or Purchasing Management

Tools

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Category Assistant - NPD (Frontshop Beauty)

Listing reference: click_027845

Listing status: Online

Apply by: 9 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 NPD Buyer.

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 ResearchingCoping with Pressures and Setbacks
• Adhering to Principlse and Values
• Delivering Results & Meeting Customer Expectations