Produce Merchandiser (F14/PROMER/4)

Job Purpose

To ensure that all fresh produce items are merchandised, rotated, displayed, priced, and maintained in line with Pick n Pay’s standards for quality, hygiene, freshness, food safety, and presentation.

The Produce Merchandiser plays a critical operational role in supporting departmental profitability, stock management, pricing accuracy, trading readiness, and customer satisfaction through the consistent availability of fresh, appealing, correctly priced, and safe-to-consume products.

This includes stock replenishment, stock rotation, freshness control, quality inspections, display maintenance, pricing accuracy, waste reduction, and adherence to food safety, cold chain, hygiene, and operational procedures.

The role contributes to maintaining a clean, organised, customer-focused, and operationally efficient produce department aligned with Pick n Pay’s merchandising, operational, and customer service standards.

Key Performance Areas (KPAs)

• Merchandising and Display Presentation
• Stock Rotation and Freshness Control
• Pricing and Promotional Accuracy
• Quality and Hygiene Compliance
• Store Appearance, Cleanliness, and Safety
• Customer Service and Sales Support
• Waste, Shrinkage, and Stock Control
• Supply Chain and Product Flow Awareness
• Teamwork and Time Management

Key Responsibilities

Merchandising and Display Presentation

• Merchandise produce according to Pick n Pay merchandising standards, planograms, seasonal layouts, and promotional displays

• Maintain neat, full, attractive, and customer-ready displays at all times, ensuring correct product facing, rotation, and signage

• Keep display tables, refrigeration units, shelves, and merchandising areas clean, tidy, organised, and free from waste or spoilage

• Replenish stock regularly to maintain optimal on-shelf availability and trading readiness

• Ensure products are merchandised in line with freshness, quality, and visual presentation standards

• Support promotional campaigns, seasonal displays, and merchandising activities in line with operational requirements

Stock Rotation and Freshness Control

• Apply FIFO (First-In-First-Out) principles consistently to support freshness and optimal product turnover

• Inspect produce throughout the trading day for freshness, quality, expiry dates, and visual presentation standards

• Remove, separate, and report expired, damaged, spoiled, or poor-quality stock promptly according to company procedures

• Handle all produce products carefully to avoid bruising, spoilage, contamination, or unnecessary waste

• Follow approved handling, trimming, packaging, replenishment, and storage procedures as required

• Support effective stock rotation practices to minimise shrinkage and wastage

Pricing and Promotional Accuracy

• Ensure all produce products are correctly priced and shelf labels are accurate and up to date

• Replace outdated, damaged, incorrect, or missing pricing tickets promptly according to store procedures

• Verify promotional pricing, signage, and display information before trading begins

• Assist with implementing markdowns, promotional changes, clearance items, and pricing updates in line with operational requirements

• Ensure barcodes, PLU information, and product descriptions are visible and aligned with displayed products

• Report pricing discrepancies, barcode issues, ticketing errors, or promotional concerns to the Floor Supervisor or relevant management

• Support accurate pricing presentation to promote customer trust, operational accuracy, and compliance with trading standards

Quality and Hygiene Compliance

• Adhere to all Pick n Pay Food Safety, Hygiene, Cleaning, and Operational Standards

• Maintain temperature control in cold rooms, refrigeration units, and display areas according to department standards

• Ensure all produce preparation areas, cutting boards, tools, displays, shelves, and equipment are cleaned and sanitised regularly

• Follow hygiene, food safety, and safe working procedures in line with operational requirements and company policies

• Adhere to the requirements of OHSA (85 of 1993) and applicable food safety and hygiene standards

• Participate in hygiene audits, quality inspections, food safety checks, and operational safety procedures

Store Appearance, Cleanliness, and Safety

• Maintain a clean, organised, safe, and customer-ready produce department at all times

• Ensure floors, walkways, display areas, refrigeration units, and workspaces remain clean, dry, and free from hazards, spillages, waste, or obstructions

• Clean spills, damaged products, and unsafe conditions promptly in line with safety and hygiene procedures

• Ensure waste bins, preparation areas, storage areas, and merchandising equipment are maintained in a clean and hygienic condition

• Follow departmental cleaning schedules and sanitation procedures consistently

• Ensure safe handling and storage of stock, equipment, tools, and cleaning materials

• Report unsafe conditions, hazards, damaged equipment, or maintenance concerns immediately to management

• Support compliance with OHSA (85 of 1993), food safety requirements, hygiene standards, and company operational procedures

• Contribute to a professional, visually appealing, and operationally compliant department environment

Customer Service and Sales Support

• Greet customers courteously and assist with product selection, product location, and general produce-related queries

• Respond to customer queries or complaints professionally, respectfully, and in line with customer service standards

• Promote daily specials, seasonal offerings, and fresh produce promotions where required

• Maintain strong product knowledge to support customer satisfaction and operational efficiency

• Represent Pick n Pay’s customer service philosophy by maintaining a clean, appealing, and customer-friendly department environment

• Support customer satisfaction through professional conduct and service excellence

Waste, Shrinkage, and Stock Control

• Identify, separate, record, and report damaged, spoiled, expired, or unsellable products according to company procedures

• Support daily waste management and shrinkage reduction initiatives within the department

• Assist with stock counts, inventory checks, variance investigations, and stock rotation activities

• Handle stock responsibly to minimise loss, waste, damage, and operational inefficiencies

• Support departmental waste reduction, shrinkage control, and cost-efficiency objectives

• Report stock shortages, overstocking concerns, and quality-related issues to management

Supply Chain and Product Flow Awareness

• Understand the store-level product flow process from receiving, storage, cold rooms, merchandising areas, and customer purchase

• Maintain cold chain continuity by ensuring proper transfer and handling of produce between receiving, storage, and display areas

• Communicate with Receiving, Store Room, Merchandising, and Supervisory teams regarding stock shortages, excess stock, quality concerns, or delivery timing

• Assist in ensuring back-up storage areas are clean, organised, labelled correctly, and operationally compliant

• Support efficient replenishment, stock movement, and product flow within the department

• Assist in maintaining organised and operationally efficient storage and merchandising areas

Teamwork and Time Management

• Cooperate with fellow merchandisers, supervisors, and management to achieve departmental goals and operational standards

• Follow daily routines, operational procedures, shift plans, and instructions accurately and efficiently

• Support the team during high customer traffic periods, promotions, stock takes, and operational demands

• Maintain reliability, punctuality, flexibility, and professionalism for scheduled shifts and operational requirements

• Contribute positively to teamwork, accountability, operational excellence, and service delivery standards

• Support a positive and customer-focused workplace culture

Performance Indicators

• Product freshness, quality, pricing accuracy, and merchandising presentation standards maintained

• Compliance with hygiene, food safety, operational, safety, and cold chain standards

• Departmental cleanliness, organisation, housekeeping, and trading readiness maintained

• Safe working practices and hazard prevention maintained

• Accurate stock rotation and reduced product wastage

• Pricing accuracy and promotional compliance maintained

• Customer service quality and departmental support

• Responsible stock handling and shrinkage reduction

• Attendance, punctuality, reliability, and teamwork maintained

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Comply with Pick n Pay Health, Safety, Food Safety, Hygiene, and Operational Policies and Procedures

• Adhere to all relevant legislative and operational requirements, including OHSA (85 of 1993) and applicable food safety requirements

• Participate in safety, hygiene, operational, and food safety training sessions

• Report hazards, unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, or operational risks immediately

• Maintain safe, hygienic, clean, and compliant working practices at all times

• Promote and uphold a workplace culture focused on cleanliness, safety, accountability, operational excellence, and customer wellbeing

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Grade 12 / Matric (NQF Level 4) or equivalent level of literacy and numeracy required to perform the operational requirements of the role

• Experience: Previous experience in a retail, merchandising, fresh produce, or FMCG environment advantageous for performing the core functions of the role

• Physical Requirements: Ability to safely lift, move, replenish, and handle produce stock in line with operational and merchandising requirements

• Work Conditions: Ability to perform physical tasks, including prolonged standing, repetitive movement, cold room activities, stock replenishment, cleaning duties, and manual handling of produce items in a retail environment

• Availability: Willingness and availability to work shifts, including weekends and public holidays, in line with retail trading requirements

• Basic understanding of fresh produce handling, merchandising, display presentation, pricing, and stock rotation principles

• Basic understanding of FIFO (First-In-First-Out) stock rotation and freshness control procedures

• Basic understanding of hygiene, food safety, cleaning, and cold chain requirements within a fresh produce environment

• Understanding of customer service principles within a retail environment

• Ability to follow operational procedures, merchandising standards, pricing procedures, and food safety requirements

• Understanding of Pick n Pay merchandising, freshness, quality, pricing, and display standards advantageous

• Awareness of safe working practices in line with OHSA (85 of 1993) and food safety requirements advantageous

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to communicate effectively in a work environment

• Strong attention to detail relating to freshness, quality, hygiene, expiry control, pricing accuracy, and visual presentation standards

• Ability to work accurately and efficiently in a fast-paced retail environment

• Basic numeracy skills relevant to stock handling, product identification, pricing, waste control, and stock rotation

• Customer service and communication skills to support customer satisfaction and daily store operations

• Ability to work collaboratively across departments, including Receiving, Store Room, Merchandising, and Supervisory teams

• Time management and ability to prioritise and manage multiple operational tasks effectively

• Basic understanding of merchandising principles, stock replenishment, display maintenance, promotional execution, and pricing accuracy
• Awareness of cold chain procedures and safe handling of fresh produce products
• Ability to identify damaged, spoiled, expired, or poor-quality stock and report accordingly
• Ability to follow instructions and adhere to operational, hygiene, safety, pricing, and quality processes
• Understanding of waste reduction, shrinkage prevention, and responsible stock handling practices
• Ability to maintain cleanliness, organisation, and trading readiness within the department

Behavioural Attributes (Work-Related)

• Shows a positive and professional attitude in the workplace
• Reliable and punctual for scheduled shifts and operational requirements
• Maintains a neat, hygienic, and appropriate personal appearance in line with food handling standards
• Works well with team members and supports other departments when operationally required
• Honest and responsible when handling stock, equipment, pricing, and company resources
• Takes pride in maintaining freshness, product quality, cleanliness, pricing accuracy, and merchandising standards
• Demonstrates accountability and consistency in completing operational tasks and routines
• Self-disciplined and proactive in identifying and resolving operational issues
• Demonstrates a customer-focused and service-driven mindset
• Adaptable and willing to assist during peak trading periods, promotions, and operational demands
• Works in line with company values (Integrity, Accountability, Care)
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for teamwork, operational excellence, food safety, and customer satisfaction

Employment Equity Statement

We are committed to fair employment practices and the principles of Employment Equity. Preference may be given to suitably qualified candidates in line with the company’s Employment Equity Plan.

Funeral cover for employee and direct family members.