Other names for Retail Manager:

What is a Retail Manager?  

Also known as a Store Manager, Shop Manager or Shop Owner. 

A Retail Manager is responsible for running a store or a single department inside a large company/shop.  

They are in charge of planning, organising, directing, controlling and reviewing the operating skills and work of the staff within a specific area.   

Their main job is to maximise profit.

Retail Managers work in either wholesale or retail outlets.

What does a Retail Manager do?

• designs and sets daily operational objectives and tasks for the staff
• makes sure these objectives are met
• directs and co-ordinates budgets
• manages theft, damage and loss
• monitors staff performance
• maintains records
• trains and supervises staff
• adheres to health and safety regulations
• directs sales plans through timely promotions, displays etc
• manages stock
• deals with customer complaints and queries
• is constantly designing new, more profitable strategies and implementing them
• promotes image of the store/company

Are you … ?

• a good communicator?
• organised?
• good with people?
• motivational?
• good with mathematics?
• computer literate?
• a good planner?

How do I become a Retail Manager?

In some cases you can start at the very bottom in a large chain store (eg shelf packer, till packer or cashier) and then work your way up. 

A lot of the larger stores offer their young staff in-house training.  If you show initiative and hard work – they will take you under their wing and train you.

Before you know it, you could be heading up an entire department or opening up your own shop!

Another way is to get tertiary studies behind your name:

Qualifications and requirements: A NQF Level 5, Higher Diploma or National Diploma or relevant degree. You will probably need at least 2 years managerial experience too.  A role-specific technical qualification could also be advantageous.

PATH 1

Occupational Certificacte in Retail Management

PATH 2

Diploma in Retail Management

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Durban University of Technology
• Tshwane University of Technology
• University of Johannesburg
• UNISA
• Vaal University 

Workplace experience

PATH 3

Diploma in Retail Management

• As above

Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Retail Management

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Durban University of Technology
• Vaal University

Workplace experience

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

• WRSETA
  

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Cashier … or … Customer Service Manager 

Is becoming a Retail Manager the right career choice for me?

OFO No:  741101

What is a Shelf Packer?

A Shelf Packer packs and stacks shelves with product in:

• grocery stores
• hardware stores
• computer stores
• chemists etc

They are responsible for making sure new goods replace purchased ones and that they are in the correct place.

Shelf Packers spend a lot of time on their feet, lifting and organizing merchandise.

What does a Shelf Packer do?

• loads goods off trucks
• maps out where each item is located in the store
• checks expiry dates and removes ‘old’ or rotten items
• stacks product in a nice and organised fashion
• puts wrong items back in the right location (i.e. nappies in the fruit section – it happens!)

Are you … ?

• physically fit?
• prepared to work odd hours?
• neat and organized?
• fast when working with your hands?
• someone with good people skills?
• observant?

How do I become a Shelf Packer?

Minimum requirements:

One does NOT need a matric. It’s advisable to have at least a Grade 10 with mathematics or maths literacy. You should be able to read and write.

Many stores will provide in-store training that suits their needs. Every store has their own way of laying out their products.

If a Shelf Packer shows commitment, hard work and initiative, the company may send them on training courses. These courses may help the Shelf Packer work their way up to more senior positions.

With hard work and determination, a Shelf Packer may end up being a Store Manager or go even higher.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Cashier and Delivery Person

Is becoming a Shelf Packer the right career choice for me?

01-04-2015 – Posted on Facebook

OFO No:  639201

What is a Logistics Buyer?

A Logistics Buyer may also be known as a Supply Chain Manager or Procurement Officer.

They are responsible for sourcing (procuring), negotiating and developing buying strategies with suppliers on behalf of the company.

Logistics Buyers co-ordinate the whole buying strategy, from sourcing to acquiring the goods. 

They may work for a small company of for a department of a very large company, for example: Woolworths.

What does a Logistics Buyer do?

• negotiating with suppliers to ensure a good price
• issuing quotation requests
• organising delivery arrangements of goods
• developing new buying plans
• signing agreements and contracts
• monitoring products and suppliers’ performances
• constantly sourcing new products and trends
• working on formulas to keep pricing low
• training new staff

Are you … ?

• analytical?
• confident?
• organised?
• decisive?
• an extremely good negotiator?
• observant?
• good at mathematics?

How do I become a Logistics Buyer?

There are numerous ways to study Logistics or Supply Chain Management.  Many institutions of higher learning will offer courses relating to logistics.

Here are a few examples:

DEGREES

• UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH

Logistics Management is offered at 2nd and 3rd year level in most BComm programmes. It can also be taken as a major in a BSc in Polymer and Textile and in the BSc (Agric) programme.

DIPLOMAS

• DAMELIN

Offers a DCC Logistics and Supply Chain Management Diploma

• UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG

Has numerous Diploma, National Diploma and Bachelor of Technology (BTEch) options in logistics and logistics management.

• TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Offers a 3 year National Diploma in Logistics

• VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Offers a 3 year National Diploma in Logistics Management + and extra year each for a BTech and DTech.

CERTIFICATES

• CENTRE FOR LOGISTICS EXCELLENCE: CLX

Offers a variety of accredited courses.

• DAMELIN

Offers a Supply Chain Management Short Course Certificate

Check your local institutions to see if they have relevant course for you.

Click here to find an institution near you:  https://careerplanet.co.za/get_skills

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Customer Service Manager or Visual Merchandiser

Is becoming a Logistics Buyer the right career choice for me?

OFO No:  639201

What is a Retail Buyer?

A Retail Buyer is responsible for planning, sourcing, co-ordinating and selecting a range or ranges of products that would sell in the store, or in a specific department of a very large store. 

For example: Ladies Clothing in Woolworths, or Fruit & Vegetables in Pick ‘n Pay etc.

Retail Buyers must be able to understand the needs and wants of their customers and order accordingly.

They need to take the following into account:

• Availability (seasons)
• Trends
• Main focus of the store or department
• Budgets of both store and customer
• Customer preferences – these can change depending on what area of the country its in

What does a Retail Buyer do?

• researches and sources goods
• keeps up to date with trends
• stays competitive
• maximises profit
• understands customer needs and future requirements through market research
• offers the right variety
• manages stock levels
• meets suppliers and negotiates contracts
• writes reports
• reacts and sorts out problems: eg:  transport, drought, strikes, etc
• prices right
• attends trade fairs

Are you … ?

• observant?
• organised?
• a good negotiator?
• decisive?
• a good communicator?
• computer literate?
• analytical?
• good with people?

How do I become a Retail Buyer?

You could start off working from the bottom up in a large retail store like Woolworths, Pick ‘n Pay, Sportsmans Warehouse or Incredible Connection-type stores. 

Starting as a Cashier or Shop Assistant will get your foot in the door. Once in, you could show them how determined and ambitious you are and they may send you on training courses.

With a little hard work and determination, you could end up being a Retail Buyer sooner than you think!

You could jump ahead of the rest and study a Diploma/Degree in Business Management or Retail Management. Many universities and institutions of higher education will offer this.

Contact your local institution to see if they do. Click below to find an accredited institution near you.

https://careerplanet.co.za/get_skills

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Logistics Buyer or Chartered Secretary

Is becoming a Retail Buyer the right career choice for me?

What is a Help Desk Operator? 

A Help Desk Operator can also be called a Help Desk Administrator or Help Desk Specialist. 

Most companies who have a computer mainframe – have a Help Desk Operator.  Traditionally, a Help Desk Operator works as a member of the company’s technical support team, providing technical assistance to computer users over the phone or via instant messaging or email.

Customers or employees of a company or organisation will contact the Help Desk Operator when something technical goes wrong.  They are the first point of call.  They do not fix the problem physically but try and assist over the phone.  If they cannot assist they would put the right technical repair person on the job.

Help Desk Operators work in different fields, for example:

• IT Support
• Financial Support
• HR Support

What does a Help Desk Operator do?

• answering the phone
• trouble shooting
• reading technical manuals
• talking to clients or staff members with technical problems
• assisting over the phone
• co-ordinating the right technical people to fix problem
• issuing reference numbers
• keeping records
• keeping up to date with technical issues and equipment

Are you … ?

• good with people?
• calm under pressure?
• a good communicator?
• good with computers?
• technical?
• polite?

How do I become a Help Desk Operator?

A background or tertiary education in IT is important.  You can do a computer course/diploma/degree at most institutions of higher learning.

Contact your local institution for more details. 

Go to link below to find an accredited institution near you.

https://careerplanet.co.za/get_skills

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Mobile Phone Technician or Analyst Programmer  

Is becoming a Help Desk Operator the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

OFO No: 332301

Other names for Fashion Buyer:

• General / Company Buyer
• Merchandise Planner

What is a Fashion Buyer?

Do you enjoy the world of fashion?

Does choosing the fashion that will be sold in our retail stores appeal to you? If you have answered yes, why not study fashion and become a Fashion Buyer?

Fashion Buyers use their sense of colour, style, knowledge of fashion trends and the understanding of their target customers’ desires to create an attractive selection of clothes and accessories for retail stores. 

Fashion Buyers often make their selections and purchases up to 1 or 2 years in advance due to the length of time it takes for designers or manufacturers to make up the orders. It’s therefore, important to have a deep understanding of past, present and future fashion trends.

Fashion Buyers must be good at budgeting and planning so that a good range is always available to customers.

Fashion Buyers usually work for department stores, clothing chains, wholesale clothing distributors or smaller retail establishments.

They are responsible for selecting and purchasing clothes and accessories from designers, manufacturers and/or wholesalers for their company to sell. Fashion Buyers in large stores usually specialise in a particular area of fashion like men’s wear, lingerie, accessories, shoes etc.

What does a Fashion Buyer do?

• researches and keeps up to date with current fashion trends – constantly!
  
• knows the companies target market – what the customer will like
• oversees the development of a range
• attends national and international fashion and trade shows
• international window shopping!
• travels – buys samples/ideas from all 4 corners of the world
• liaises with designers and manufacturing companies
• constantly communicates with management and suppliers
• orders samples from suppliers
• works with budgets and pricing
• negotiates contracts: prices and delivery times with suppliers

Are you . . .?

• passionate about fashion?
• a person with foresight?
• versatile and flexible?
• enthusiastic and determined?
• conscientious, professional and decisive? 
• creative and imaginative ?
• self motivated?
• willing to travel?
• a person with a good sense of colour and style?
• a person with a good head for business?

How do I become a Fashion Buyer?

Most Fashion Buyers will have a background in fashion. They may have studied fashion design (see under Fashion Designer for study options) or they have a flair for fashion but have studied merchandising instead. 

Some Fashion Buyers have studied both! 

In large stores, you may get on-the-job training for their particular target market. 

Having diplomas or degrees behind your name in relevant fields will be extremely advantageous.

Path 1

• Work in a fashion retail store from the bottom up.
• You may start as a Shop Assistant or even as a Packer. 
• If you work hard and are reliable, the company may send you on training courses and you can work your way up to Fashion Buyer.

Path 2

• Learnership: National Certificate: Wholesale and Retail – Buying & Planning Level 5

Path 3

• Diploma or Degree in Fashion Design or Clothing Management
• Work experience in a fashion retail store

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Fashion Illustrator or Fashion Model 

Is becoming a Fashion Buyer the right career choice for me?

Customer Service
Manager

CLICK HERE

for more info about this career

The new name for a Window Dresser is Visual Merchandiser. 

Go to link:  https://careerplanet.co.za/careers/wholesale-and-retail/retail-sales-and-services/visual-merchandiser for information about this career.

OFO No:

What is a Clothing Manager?

A Clothing Manager is responsible for the planning and control of production.

They are in charge of quality standards and that the clothes are manufactured to the right price, specifications and on time. 

What does a Clothing Manager do?

• works on budgets
• liaises with designers
• co-ordinates the entire operation
• is in charge of quality control
• plans production systems
• liaises with management
• makes sure workers follow specifications and instructions
• orders materials, trimmings, interlinings etc
• improves existing systems

Are you … ?

• organised?
• computer literate?
• a good communicator?
• detail orientated?
• a good planner?
• a good manager?
• a multi-tasker?

How do I become a Clothing Manager?

There are 2 main ways you can become a Clothing Manager:

(1) You can do a National Diploma and a BTech degree in Clothing Management at most universities of technology.

(2) You could do a diploma in fashion and complement it with a management course or diploma. There are many specialised trianing institutions that offer these courses.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Fashion Designer … or … Retail Manager

Is becoming a Clothing Manager the right career choice for me?

Other names for Visual Merchandiser:

What is a Visual Merchandiser?

A Visual Merchandiser’s job is to create and stage store displays. They are responsible for the displays in the store as well as in the windows.  That’s why, Visual Merchandisers used to be known as Window Dressers.

Visual Merchandisers can also create displays for corporate events, fashion shows, conventions and other public events.

The importance of their work is to display merchandise in a creative and eye-catching manner to create public awareness of the product or service – to ultimately improve sales for the company.

Some Visual Merchandisers may specialise in a particular field, such as: fashion, furniture etc.

Large companies may employ their own Visual Merchandisers while smaller companies may periodically hire a freelance one.

What does a Visual Merchandiser do?

• discuss brief with client or management
• design and make visual presentations
• be aware of seasons and trends
• research the ‘display’ to get more background into display if themed
• keep up to date with fashion, trends and news
• cost and work within a budget
• make or commission or source ‘props’ if required
• manage the installation

Are you … ?

• very creative?
• good with colour?
• spatially aware?  good with 3d!
• innovative?
• deadline orientated?
• a person who follows trends?
• able to work in small spaces (window displays)
• self motivated?
• able to do technical drawing?

How do I become a Visual Merchandiser?

There are a number of ways to becoming a Visual Merchandiser.

It’s up to you to choose the route you’d like to follow:

• Do an interior design course.  See Interior Designer on our website for more details.
• Do a diploma in Fashion Designing or Clothing Management if you want to be a fashion merchandiser.
• Become a Set Designer
• Become a Graphic Designer

Each one of the above paths will give you the basics to becoming a Visual Merchandiser. Once you have your qualification you could work as an assistant to an experienced Visual Merchandiser for a year or 2 before becoming a fully, fledged Visual Merchandiser.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Shelf Packer or Events Co-ordinator

Is becoming a Visual Merchandiser the right career choice for me?

16-04-2015 – Posted on Facebook