Jump to section: Intro  |  Retail/Operations  |  Buying  |  Planning  |  Finance |  IT |  Marketing |  Graduate Programme

A world of careers at Ackermans

Ackermans offers a world of opportunities in a fast-paced, growing and dynamic environment.

Ackermans forms part of the larger Ackermans Group which has a career section on their website. The career opportunites (when available) span across multiple brands: Shoe City, Ackermans Retail and Ackermans Corporate.

We offer you the opportunity to explore careers in Buying, Planning, Logistics, Finance, IT, Marketing, Retail Operations and more.

At Ackermans we strive to be more than just a work place. It’s a place where our people can fully reach their potential. We’re very selective about who we choose, how we train and where we place our people, so they can motivate themselves to become Phadima stars and show our customers that Ackermans is the best place to be.

So, if you’re currently looking to kick-start your career, or to tackle a new challenge with a progressive retail company, then follow the links so that you too can add more to your world: www.ackermansgroup.com/careers

If you don’t find a position available right now, you can always register your CV on the website, you can go back at any stage and make changes. When you register your CV you can also set up job alerts so when a position you are interested in comes available we will let you know

1.    Retail/Operations

At Ackermans we have outstanding opportunities in Retail Operations (Stores) & Operations support and Management.

Our Operations team strives to provide a store experience which will be pleasing, convenient and comfortable for our customers. We do this through effective use of space and design. This enables us to attractively present our range and assortments of merchandise in store. Through a large compliment of competent and courteous staff our operations team strives to deliver customer excellence.

We achieve an exciting in store experience through the following dynamic positions available in our Operation Team:

• Store design
• Procurement
• Operations finance
• Risk Management
• Operations People Management (HR)
• Operations Divisional/Area Managers
• Store Management positions
• Shop Assistant
• Visual Merchandising

These challenging positions are situated nationally and we have stores in:

• SA - nationwide
• Botswana
• Lesotho
• Namibia
• Swaziland

If you are dynamic, energetic with a passion for excellent customer service; join our Operations team in a role that will suit your skills & abilities.

For vacancies and to apply online consult our careers page at: careers.ackermansgroup.com

2. Buying and Planning

2.1  Buying and Quality

Our Buying teams are trending and forecasting, and building ranges to suit our target markets and ensure a competitive edge.  These team place a huge focus on sourcing the best merchandise at the best price in order to maximise profitable sales.  Our Buyers need a strong commercial eye to deliver the appropriate assortment and fashionability.  Together with an understanding of the South African customer and retail competitors, these skills are combined to offer our customers price-leading value in clothing, footwear, textiles, and homeware.

A testimonial from a Buyer in this area:“It’s a company on the move, you are empowered in what you do and truly feel as though you can make a difference and have an impact. My job as a buyer is dynamic, fast paced and no day is ever the same…”

Quality - Our Quality and Buying Teams work hand-in-hand to ensure that our products deliver on our promise of unbeatable value.  Our aim to deliver uncompromising quality at the best prices is the key to Ackermans’ growing success.  The team of quality technologists, ensures that we consistently deliver quality products across our range of clothing, footwear, textiles, homeware and accessories to our customers.

2.2 Planning and Logistics

Our Planning Teams analyze and forecast customer activity and sales and formulate business plans. Together with our Logistics Team they ensure that stock reaches our stores at the right time, in the right place and in the right quantity. Planning in Ackermans covers product planning and store planning at a strategic level, which impacts all areas of our business – Buying, Imports, Operations... the entire Supply Chain.  Efficiency is always our aim in terms of our supply chain. We know that our customers demand the best and it's up to us to supply it.

A testimonial from a Product Planner in this area: “Ackermans is a fast growing and successful company, you work hard, but one of the values at Ackermans is fun, so there is a good balance. You see the results of your work when you walk into a store and see the volume, price and colour of the various products in store.”

3. Finance, IT, Marketing and Cellular

3.1 Finance

As a value retailer, managing our costs and finances efficiently within our business is critical to our success. Our finance team ensures all the financial and accounting aspects of our business is in order including our stock, fixed assets, overhead and trade creditors, and the general ledger function for all our financial transactions locally and internationally. 

If you have experience in the following aspects of finance, there may be a perfect opportunity waiting for you...

Payroll
General Ledger
Branch Accounting
Fixed Assets
Creditors
Stock

3.2 Information Technology

Everything in our business needs meticulous planning and world-class operations – this is where technology plays a vital role.  Our IT Team’s ongoing aim is to continue to provide bigger, better and more efficient IT systems that are both up to date and cost-effective to support the business.
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Interested in joining our IT Team? There are challenging opportunities available for IT candidates who has skills in the following aspects of IT:

Programming
Analyst Programming
Systems Management
Project Management
Point of Sale Helpdesk operations
Systems Administration
Network Administration
Desktop Support

3.3 Marketing

Communicating our brand and vision to our customers is the key role of our marketing team. This team is responsible for attracting customers to our stores through creative advertising and marketing strategies and initiatives, creating a vibrant look and feel for all our stores, Customer Relations Management initiatives as well as Public Relations and Sponsorships management.

There are exciting career opportunities for those who have experience in any of the following aspects of marketing:
Brand Management
Visual Merchandising
Packaging
Public Relations and sponsorship 

For vacancies and to apply online consult our careers page at:
http://www.ackermansgroup.com/careers/

Graduate Programme



Our future leaders

Ackermans has a Graduate Training Programme tailored to meet the needs of the Y-Generation.  We offer on-the-job learning in a supportive and stimulating work environment.  Our corporate culture allows you to be yourself, and experience growth and development at your our own pace.

Our programmes are designed to draw out your creative and strategic thinking abilities, your ability to handle pressure, your knowledge on market trends, and your general business acumen.

This is the ideal opportunity to launch your career and to realize your potential to make a difference in a growing retail company.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world”. -  Ackermans is doing that through allowing ordinary people to achieve extra ordinary results.

 So you’re interested… but what’s in it for you?

You will get the opportunity to:

• Shine! .... We have created the Phadima Project so that you can experience an environment  and a culture where you can “shine”
• Learn about & experience retail
• Grow & develop additional skills through our Training Centre
• Gain real work experience
• Get regular feedback
• Gain recognition
• Have fun

1. Retail/ Operations

Launch your career in Retail

In the operations team we aspire to develop high potential individuals that will add value to our Operations Management Structures.

1.2  Why apply?

We are on the hunt for achievers with outstanding development potential and a passion for customer service.

Initially fullfilling the role of a Trainee Store Manager, your hard work will see you progressing into Management positions within the operations that is suited to you.

As a successful Trainee Store Manager you will receive:

• Formal training
• On the job training
• Practical learning and exposure
• Mentoring and coaching

1.3  Who Qualifies

To make the most of this opportunity all you need is

• a Matric/Grade 12 with maths SG
• a relevant NQF Qualification within the service industry is desirable
• the ability to effectively communicate in English

Will I make a difference?

We rely on our managers to drive excellent customer service and managing store administration, while selecting and developing the best store staff that leads to the success of our business.

Testimonial from a Phadima in this department:

"Hi, my name is Susan and I’m 27 years of age. I started my career in 1999 as a casual in Ackermans Orkney. From the day I started with Ackermans I knew that there is something bigger waiting for me to happen. My career has developed past years because of all the opportunities that the company gave me. I am currently 8 years employed and I am still enjoying every moment as the day I started. I was recently promoted as a Divisional Operations Manager. I have a passion for retail and a passion for people. The most important thing is to set a goal for yourself and make sure you achieve it. I enjoy spending time with people and sharing my knowledge."

Apply online at:
http://www.ackermansgroup.com/careers/

2. Buying and Planning

2.1 Trainee Planner programme

What Can You Expect From A Career In Merchandise Planning?

• You’ll get exposure to every aspect of the business from Buying, Planning and Supply Chain Management, to Operations
• You’ll use your strategic and analytical thinking skills to develop, implement and manage business plans to optimize turnover
• You will acquire the business skills you need to run your  portfolio as if it was your own business

You’ll use your numerical ability to play with numbers at a tactical level

To Qualify You Need:

• A Grade 12 certificate or equivalent
• A BCom degree in Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Stats, and Business Science, or alternatively a  completed National Diploma majoring in Internal Auditing  and  Cost and Management Accounting

A working knowledge of the latest Microsoft Packages (Word, Excel)

2.2 Trainee Buyer Programme

What Can You Expect From A Career In Buying?

• You’ll get exposure to every aspect of the business from Buying, Planning and Supply Chain Management, to Operations
• You’ll acquire the business skills you need to run your  portfolio as if it was your own business
• You’ll exercise your ability to do trend forecasting
• You’ll build ranges, by using your creativity along with strategic thinking
• You’ll travel overseas as research to develop your range
• You will analyze your competitors, and

Get the opportunity to take risks and influence what product goes to store to optimize your sales

To Qualify You Need:

• A Grade 12 certificate or equivalent
• A relevant qualification in clothing production, fashion design or textile design
• Previous experience in a clothing manufacturing environment (this would be highly beneficial)
• A basic knowledge and understanding of fabrics
• A working knowledge of the latest Microsoft packages (Word & Excel)

Apply online at:
http://www.ackermansgroup.com/careers/