Dis-Chem Pharmacies has an opportunity available for an Assistant Store Manager at their Riverstone store in Meyerton, Gauteng. This is a mid-to-senior level retail management role suited to candidates with solid FMCG or retail management experience, particularly in systems like Unisolv, SAP, or Qlikview.

About the Role

The Assistant Store Manager will support the Store Manager with the complete day-to-day operation of the store, from managing employees and store targets to overseeing inventory levels and preparing analytical reports for management.

Location: Meyerton, Gauteng Employment Type: Permanent Division: Retail Experience Level: Mid-Senior Job Functional Area: Management

Minimum Requirements

Essential:

• Grade 12 / Matric
• Minimum 5 years’ Retail/FMCG experience across all retail departments — Receiving, Administration, Cash Office, or Sales Floor Management
• Minimum 3 years’ Supervisor experience
• Minimum 2 years’ experience using Unisolv, SAP, or Qlikview
• Previous experience with Kronos

Advantageous:

• A relevant retail/FMCG qualification

Key Responsibilities

• Managing day-to-day HR administration, including leave, hours of work, and scheduling
• Managing the performance management process and ensuring personal development plans are followed
• Managing daily stock orders and maintaining correct stock levels
• Managing stock flow to the sales floor
• Coordinating biannual stock takes with the Store Admin Manager
• Managing shrinkage
• Handling customer compliments and complaints in a timely manner
• Ensuring merchandisers meet Dis-Chem’s merchandising, labelling, pricing, and layout standards
• Planning and maintaining promotional stock and displays
• Ensuring overall store objectives are achieved

Competencies Required

• Store retail admin and management experience (receiving, admin, capturing, till operations, cash office, stock control, sales floor, customer service)
• Strong command of the English language
• Basic financial skills — gross profit, mark-up, VAT, and similar calculations
• Effective interaction with suppliers, management, reps, and staff
• Strong analytical skills and time management
• Ability to manage, develop, and motivate subordinates
• Trustworthy and honest

Special Conditions of Employment

• Willing and able to work retail hours
• Valid driver’s licence and own reliable transport for local travel
• South African citizen
• Clear credit and criminal records

Remuneration and Benefits

• Market-related salary
• Medical aid
• Provident fund
• Staff account

Why Retail Systems Experience Matters Here

One detail that stands out in this listing is the specific requirement for experience with Unisolv, SAP, or Qlikview, along with Kronos. These aren’t generic retail skills — they’re specialised systems used for stock management, reporting, and workforce scheduling in larger retail chains. If you’re building toward a store management career, gaining hands-on exposure to any of these systems (even at a junior level) can make a real difference in qualifying for roles like this one, since many retailers use similar platforms.

It’s also worth noting the 3 years’ supervisor experience requirement is listed separately from the general 5 years’ retail experience — meaning candidates need to show a track record of actually managing people, not just working in a retail environment.

What Does an Assistant Store Manager Actually Do Day-to-Day?

For candidates who haven’t worked at this level before, it helps to picture what a typical day looks like. Unlike a general retail assistant or supervisor role, an Assistant Store Manager spends much of their time moving between three areas:

• Front of store: checking sales floor standards, merchandising, and handling escalated customer queries
• Back of store: reviewing stock receiving, checking cash office reconciliations, and monitoring shrinkage reports
• Admin/systems: working through scheduling on Kronos, pulling stock or sales reports on Unisolv/SAP/Qlikview, and preparing figures for the Store Manager

The role sits between hands-on floor management and data-driven decision-making, which is why retailers look for candidates who are comfortable with both people management and basic retail financial concepts like gross profit and mark-up.

How This Role Fits Into a Retail Career Path

Assistant Store Manager positions are typically a stepping stone toward a full Store Manager role, and eventually into area or regional management. A common progression looks like this:

1. Sales Assistant / Cashier — entry point, builds product and customer service knowledge
2. Department Supervisor — first taste of managing people and stock in one section
3. Assistant Store Manager — full exposure to store operations, HR admin, and reporting (this vacancy)
4. Store Manager — full accountability for store performance, budgets, and staff
5. Area/Regional Manager — oversight of multiple stores

Understanding where a role sits on this ladder can help you decide whether you’re ready to apply now, or whether it’s worth building another year or two of supervisor experience first.

Salary Expectations for This Level

Dis-Chem hasn’t published a specific figure for this role beyond “market-related,” which is standard practice for management positions in South African retail. As a general guide, Assistant Store Manager roles in major SA pharmacy and grocery retail chains tend to fall within a broad mid-management band, with the exact figure depending on store size, location, and the candidate’s supervisory track record. Since this isn’t confirmed by the employer, it’s best to research current market rates through sources like PayScale or Glassdoor South Africa, and to raise salary expectations directly during the interview process rather than assuming a figure upfront.

Interview Preparation Tips for Retail Management Roles

If you’re shortlisted, retail management interviews typically probe a mix of technical and behavioural competencies. A few areas worth preparing for:

• Be ready to explain a time you managed shrinkage or stock loss. Interviewers often ask for a specific example, not just a general answer.
• Know your numbers. Be comfortable explaining gross profit, mark-up, and VAT calculations in simple terms, since this listing specifically calls out basic financial skills.
• Prepare an example of handling a difficult customer complaint. This is a near-universal retail management interview question.
• Think through a scheduling or staffing conflict you’ve resolved. HR administration (leave, hours of work, performance management) is a core part of this role.
• Ask about the systems in use. If you have Unisolv, SAP, Qlikview, or Kronos experience from a different retailer, be specific about which modules or functions you used — general familiarity isn’t the same as hands-on reporting experience.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted directly through Dis-Chem’s official careers portal:

🔗 Apply Here

Closing Date: 20 July 2026

Please note: Only successful applicants will be contacted. If you haven’t been contacted within two weeks after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. Dis-Chem Pharmacies is an equal opportunity employer, and its recruitment process is aligned with its approved Employment Equity Plan. Dis-Chem actively supports the recruitment of people with disabilities.