Category Assistant - NPD (Frontshop Beauty)

About this role

Clicks Group is looking for a Category Assistant to work in Cape Town. You will report to the NPD Buyer and help the buying team run its day-to-day processes smoothly. The role mixes admin, communication and analysis.

What you’ll do

• Keep the merchandise critical paths on track, from listing new lines to product development, promotions and buyer sign-off.
• Handle pricing queries, stock availability and promotion requests from stores and suppliers, and follow up on them quickly.
• Coordinate internal marketing activities, including ClubCard, and check marketing images, samples and pricing for promoted items.
• Prepare the merchandising manual for buyer approval and collect supplier confirmations for TEM bill backs.
• Review weekly results for new product launches against key performance indicators and help prepare reports.
• Maintain the product database and help get new products to market quickly by submitting accurate new line forms.
• Handle general office admin, such as filing, account queries and taking minutes, plus other tasks the department needs.

What you need

• A B Degree or Diploma in Retail, Purchasing Management or a similar field (essential).
• 3 to 6 months of administrative retail experience (essential), or completion of a Merchandise Graduate Programme.
• Previous experience as a category assistant (preferred).
• Experience working with critical paths and project deadlines (preferred).
• Knowledge of buying and planning principles for about 1 year (essential).
• Knowledge of administrative processes for 3 to 6 months (essential).
• Knowledge of query resolution.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical and attention-to-detail skills.
• Good computer skills in Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Good time management, planning, organising and decision-making skills.
• Clear verbal and written communication.

Is this job for you?

This job suits someone who likes detail and order, and who enjoys working with data as well as people. You should be comfortable handling several deadlines at once and following set procedures. If you have a retail background and want to grow in buying or merchandising, this role could be a good fit.

Tips before you apply

• Have your degree, diploma or transcript ready, and certificates for any retail or graduate programme you completed.
• On your CV, list your retail admin work with clear dates and examples of tasks like listings, promotions or reporting.
• Show your Excel and reporting skills with a short example, such as a tracker or report you helped produce.

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