Merchandiser job at Makro Ottery in Cape Town. Discover the requirements, duties and application details for this opportunity with Managed People Solutions.
For shoppers, a well-stocked shelf may seem like something that happens automatically. Behind that neat display, however, there is often a merchandiser making sure products are available, correctly displayed, properly priced and ready for customers to buy. That is the kind of work involved in the Merchandiser position advertised by Managed People Solutions at Makro Ottery in Cape Town.
Managed People Solutions is looking for an experienced merchandiser to work at Makro Ottery, Cape Town, Western Cape. The position is offered on a contract basis and was posted on 31 August 2026.
This is not simply a job where you place products on shelves. The successful applicant will be expected to work with store managers, monitor stock, maintain product displays, identify opportunities inside the store and report important information back to management.
For anyone considering applying, understanding what the role involves is just as important as checking whether you meet the requirements.
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What is the Managed People Solutions merchandiser job about?
A merchandiser helps ensure that products are presented in a way that supports sales while following the company’s merchandising procedures.
At Makro Ottery, the role will involve working directly within the store environment. You may spend a significant part of your working day checking shelves, replenishing stock, reviewing prices, rotating products and communicating with store personnel.
The vacancy falls under the Sales functional area, and Managed People Solutions identifies its primary industry as Wine and Spirits. This is relevant because the advertisement specifically asks for basic knowledge of spirits.
The role therefore requires more than physical shelf-filling. You need to understand the products you are working with and communicate confidently with people in the store.
What will you do as a merchandiser?
One of the main responsibilities is making sure the right products are available and properly presented.
The advertised duties include counting stock that needs to be merchandised, drawing stock requirements and replenishing shelves. You will also merchandise products according to the company’s standard operating procedures.
Product presentation is only one part of the job. You will need to check product quality, stock rotation and price tags. These checks can help prevent problems such as outdated stock remaining on shelves or products being displayed with incorrect pricing.
Keeping the work area organised is also part of the position. Shelves, storerooms and back-up areas must be kept clean and tidy.
Another important responsibility is completing store visits according to the required call cycle. This means the work involves following a planned schedule rather than simply visiting stores whenever convenient.
Working with store managers and customers
Communication appears throughout this vacancy.
The successful candidate will be expected to greet and acknowledge customers, store managers and shoppers. Building good relationships with store personnel is also important because merchandising often requires cooperation from people working at the store.
For example, if a product is out of stock or there is an opportunity to secure additional display space, the merchandiser may need to discuss the situation with the store manager and then report it appropriately.
The vacancy also requires the merchandiser to provide feedback about customer complaints, queries and requests.
This means someone who is uncomfortable communicating with people may find the role more challenging than someone who enjoys working in a busy retail environment.
Why product knowledge matters in this position
Applicants should not overlook the requirement for basic knowledge of spirits.
You do not necessarily need to be an industry expert based on the information provided, but the employer has specifically included product knowledge as part of the requirements.
Managed People Solutions also expects the merchandiser to maintain knowledge of products and promotions according to the cycle brief. This suggests that the products and promotional activities you work with may change, so being willing to learn will be useful.
If you already have experience in FMCG merchandising, mention any relevant product categories you have worked with on your CV.
What are the requirements?
The vacancy sets out three main requirements:
- Matric (Grade 12)
- At least 12 months of merchandising experience in an FMCG merchandising environment
- Basic knowledge of spirits
- Excellent communication skills
The experience requirement is particularly important. This is not advertised as a position for someone entering merchandising for the first time.
If you have worked as an FMCG merchandiser for at least one year, make sure your CV clearly shows the employer, duration of employment and type of merchandising responsibilities you handled.
Do not hide relevant experience under a vague job description. If you regularly handled stock replenishment, shelf displays, stock rotation, promotional campaigns or store visits, make those responsibilities easy for the recruiter to identify.
There is more responsibility than shelf filling
A useful way to understand this position is to think of the merchandiser as a link between products, the store and the company.
The role includes identifying additional display opportunities, advising managers when products are out of stock and recording competitor activity. You may also be expected to record various performance metrics and submit documentation such as Proof of Delivery and other required documents.
The vacancy also states that the successful applicant must take proper care of company assets, including a company vehicle, laptop and handheld devices.
This means accuracy and responsibility matter. Losing track of stock information, failing to complete documentation or neglecting company equipment could affect more than your individual work.
What information has not been provided?
Applicants should be careful not to assume details that are not included in the vacancy.
The advertisement supplied for this article does not state the salary or contract duration. It also does not provide confirmed working hours, shift patterns, benefits, transport arrangements, uniform information or detailed information about the interview process.
The employer has also not provided enough information here to determine whether the role requires a driver’s licence, although a company vehicle is mentioned among the assets that may need to be cared for.
These details should therefore be confirmed directly through the official recruitment information before applying or accepting an offer.
How to prepare a stronger application
Before applying, compare your CV with the actual requirements rather than submitting the same CV you use for every vacancy.
Your Matric qualification should be clearly visible. Your merchandising experience should show that you have worked in an FMCG environment for at least 12 months.
Before submitting your next application, take a look at these CV writing tips to avoid common mistakes and improve your CV.
It is also worth highlighting practical skills such as stock control, shelf replenishment, product rotation, promotional displays, store visits, reporting and communication with store managers.
Keep your CV accurate. Never add merchandising experience or product knowledge that you do not actually have simply to pass an application screening process.
If you meet the requirements, prepare your application early rather than waiting until the last possible opportunity.
Before applying for the Makro Ottery merchandiser position
This opportunity could suit an experienced FMCG merchandiser who enjoys working in a retail environment, communicating with store personnel and taking responsibility for product presentation and stock visibility.
However, applicants should take the experience requirement seriously. The advert specifically asks for at least 12 months of FMCG merchandising experience, as well as Matric, basic knowledge of spirits and strong communication skills.
The position is based at Makro Ottery in Cape Town and is listed as a contract opportunity. Because important employment details such as salary, contract length and working hours have not been provided in the vacancy information supplied, applicants should check the official Managed People Solutions recruitment page for the latest information and application instructions.
The employer also states that applicants who do not receive feedback within two weeks of applying should consider their application unsuccessful. Keep your application professional, ensure your contact details are correct, and only apply if you genuinely meet the stated requirements.