MERCHANDISING SPECIALIST: PREPARED / BAKERY
Listing reference: woolw_001449
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 24 April 2026
Position summary
Industry: FMCG & Supply Management
Job category: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain
Location: Western Cape
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: No
Introduction
To develop, operationalise & successfully integrate the category selling solutions, initiatives and merchandising strategies for an enhanced customer shopping experience in order to optimise sales and profit growth.
Job description
- Provide operational input into category strategy and execution based on review of previous years’ operating performance and forward business plan.
- Review and influence selling formats to optimize in store displays to reflect strategy.
- Co-create, co-ordinate and update input for annual format and blue print review i.t.o macro space allocation, flows and adjacencies in line with category strategic shifts.
- Co-ordinate and co-create the category annual Capex requirements.
- Formulate design and implementation briefs for sign-off.
- Manage trials and conduct rollouts and PIR’s.
- Manage Seasonal execution in line with the ILF by:
- Translating the seasonal strategy into a fully integrated FOF per trading phase.
- Manage the Seasonal model store process & workshops.
- Create and deliver a Demo & tastings plan to enhance customer experience.
- Co-create and develop Communication tools – implementation briefs, seasonal trading note, KTS, MSW communication
- Co-create and develop execution principles with annual review & update
- Drive seasonal trade through:
- Delivery of trend analysis and data interpretation to influence tactical plans across the category and stores
- Managing the delivery of sell more unit campaigns
- Ensure the successful Selling execution of New & modernised stores.
- Conduct regular store visits to identify opportunities for execution improvement and sales opportunities to drive L4L performance
- Ensure the effective communication and in store implementation of agreed macro space and merchandising principles in line with category strategies.
- Continuously improve category merchandising and proactively seek opportunities to drive category and business growth.
- Deliver to category launches in line with the Integrated Launch Calendar.
- Coach & develop store candidates and divisional launch teams to enable succession pipeline.
Minimum requirements
- Relevant business degree or diploma (preferred)
- 3-5 years relevant retail experience
- Demonstrates a commitment to high performance
- Plays a leading role in driving sustainable transformational initiatives at an operational level
- Builds strong networks and strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Engages and connects people to enable delivery of BU operating plan.
- Strong business understanding and commercial knowledge.
- Demonstrates attention to detail.
- Manages people to execute BU operating plan.
- Manages delivery in a positive and consistent way
- Plan and Organise
- Think and act commercially (Trade Optimisation)
- “Conceptualise” or “generate ideas”
- Formulate selling solution and implement shorter-term tactical plans that are cost-effective, efficient and realistic
- Able to analyse and interpret data
- Communicate and influence at various
- Project management skills
- Retail Space and Display Management
- Able to provide input into Range and Catalogue Management
- Able to provide input into Supply Chain Management
- Able to provide input into Value chain optimization
- Knowledge of Foods and the buying groups
- Good communication and business writing skills
- Good understanding of the Foods retail business and Brand DNA