Ares Holdings – Sales Assistant

Sales Assistant roles can help applicants build practical retail experience in customer service, sales, product knowledge, stock replenishment, store housekeeping, merchandising and daily store operations. Ares Holdings is recruiting a Sales Assistant for the Hey Dude store in Drakenstein, Paarl.

This is a 7-month contract opportunity within the Hey Dude division. The successful candidate will support customers, assist with sales, replenish footwear, apparel and accessories, process deliveries, maintain store standards and participate in ongoing training.

Important: This vacancy is not advertised as a learnership, internship or YES youth opportunity. It is a contract Sales Assistant role that requires Grade 12 or equivalent and at least 1 year of customer service experience.

At a glance

What this opportunity is

This is a Sales Assistant contract opportunity with Hey Dude in Paarl, Western Cape.

The official advert states that Hey Dude is looking for a Sales Assistant for its store in Drakenstein, Paarl.

The successful candidate will work in a retail store environment and will be responsible for customer service, sales, inventory support, daily operations, training participation and merchandising standards.

The role is linked to a well-established international retail brand and is focused on delivering excellent customer experiences while supporting store performance.

The official advert does not state the salary, exact working hours, shift pattern, number of available positions or whether permanent employment may be available after the 7-month contract.

Who this opportunity may suit

This opportunity may suit an applicant who has Grade 12 or equivalent and at least 1 year of customer service experience.

It may be suitable for someone who enjoys retail, footwear, customer interaction, selling, stock replenishment, product knowledge and working in a store team.

The role may also suit applicants with experience in retail sales, fashion retail, footwear retail, sportswear retail, customer service, cashier work, stock handling, deliveries, point-of-sale systems, merchandising or store housekeeping.

Because the vacancy is based in Drakenstein, Paarl, applicants should consider whether they can travel reliably to the store and work flexible shifts before applying.

What you will do and learn

The official vacancy lists the following responsibilities:

Customer service and sales

• Acknowledge every customer within 30 seconds.
• Deliver excellent customer service to every customer.
• Establish the customer’s needs.
• Use technical knowledge to demonstrate product benefits that meet customer needs.
• Close sales and secure add-on sales.
• Monitor daily sales against individual budget every few hours.

Inventory and stock handling

• Replenish footwear, apparel and accessories from the storeroom daily.
• Minimise shrinkage by zoning the store.
• Acknowledge customers and follow the store changing-room policy.
• Ensure stock entries in the POS systems are accurate.
• Process deliveries by checking quantities to invoice.
• Tag, hang and price products.
• Record deliveries in the POS system.
• Process customer orders.

Daily store operations

• Maintain daily store housekeeping.
• Dust the store where required.
• Clean mirrors.
• Vacuum store areas.
• Empty bins.
• Clear the counter area.
• Tidy change rooms.
• Assist the manager with opening and closing the store.

Training and development

• Take responsibility for training and learning.
• Ensure that a buddy is allocated initially and learn from them.
• Attend quarterly training sessions.
• Complete training assessments.
• Receive monthly feedback from the manager.
• Set up a monthly meeting with the store manager to discuss progress through the Hey Dude rookie pack.
• Understand that training requirements may determine eligibility for promotions.

Merchandising and store presentation

• Observe the store and maintain stock presentation according to store standards.
• Ensure sizes are replenished.
• Assist the team with changing windows and mannequins fortnightly.
• Ensure POS materials are stored properly to avoid damage.
• Support the overall customer shopping experience through neat and organised presentation.

Important: The duties above are based on the official vacancy. Ares Holdings and Hey Dude may allocate additional reasonable sales, customer-service, stock, merchandising, housekeeping, POS, training or store-support duties according to operational requirements.

Eligibility requirements

Applicant requirements

• Must have Grade 12 or equivalent.
• Must have at least 1 year of customer service experience.
• Crocs product knowledge is advantageous.
• Must be able to work flexible shifts.
• Should be able to deliver excellent customer service.
• Should be able to identify customer needs and match products to those needs.
• Should be able to close sales and support add-on sales.
• Should be able to monitor sales performance against a budget.
• Should be able to replenish stock and support inventory accuracy.
• Should be able to support housekeeping and store presentation.
• Should be willing to attend training and complete assessments.
• Must provide complete, accurate and truthful information during the recruitment process.

Grade 12 requirement explained

The official advert requires Grade 12 or equivalent.

Applicants should state their Grade 12 or equivalent qualification clearly on the CV and should be prepared to upload proof if requested by the official Simplify application platform.

Applicants should make sure that qualification details and dates are accurate and truthful.

Customer service experience requirement explained

The official advert requires a minimum of 1 year of customer service experience.

Applicants should clearly show customer service experience on their CV. Useful examples may include retail sales, cashier work, footwear retail, fashion retail, store assistant roles, customer queries, complaint handling, product advice, promotions, point-of-sale work or client-facing support.

Applicants should not assume that this is a no-experience role. The official advert specifically requires customer service experience.

Crocs product knowledge explained

The official advert states that Crocs product knowledge is advantageous.

This means Crocs product knowledge may strengthen an application, but it is not listed as compulsory.

Applicants with genuine Crocs, Hey Dude, footwear, apparel, accessories, retail product or brand knowledge should include this clearly and honestly on their CV.

Flexible shifts requirement explained

The official advert states that applicants must be able to work flexible shifts.

Applicants should consider whether they can work retail shifts, which may include weekends, public holidays, early shifts, late shifts, busy trade periods or store opening and closing requirements.

Applicants should also consider reliable transport to and from the Drakenstein, Paarl store location.

Company values listed in the advert

The official vacancy lists the following company values:

• We commit to the wellbeing of our team.
• We work with a positive attitude.
• We believe in our team.

Skills and personal attributes that may help

• Strong customer-service attitude.
• Confidence in approaching customers.
• Interest in footwear, apparel and accessories.
• Sales confidence and ability to close add-on sales.
• Attention to detail with stock and POS information.
• Ability to follow store standards and procedures.
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Teamwork and willingness to learn from a buddy.
• Good housekeeping and store presentation habits.
• Reliability during flexible retail shifts.
• Ability to work with sales budgets and store targets.
• Willingness to complete training and assessments.

What this opportunity really means

This is a 7-month contract Sales Assistant role in a footwear and retail store environment.

The successful candidate should expect customer-facing work, sales targets, stock replenishment, delivery processing, POS accuracy, store housekeeping, merchandising and regular training requirements.

The role may provide valuable retail experience for applicants interested in sales, footwear, apparel, accessories, customer service, store operations and brand-based retail environments.

Because it is a contract role, applicants should not assume permanent employment after the 7-month period unless Ares Holdings or Hey Dude confirms this in writing.

Applicants should confirm salary, working hours, shift schedule, store expectations, benefits and any possible contract extension directly with the employer if shortlisted.

Application checklist

Prepare the following information and documents before applying:

• Updated CV.
• Clear copy of your South African ID or valid identity document, if requested.
• Proof of Grade 12 or equivalent qualification, if requested.
• Details of at least 1 year of customer service experience.
• Examples of retail sales or customer-facing work.
• Examples of footwear, apparel or accessories retail experience, if relevant.
• Examples of Crocs product knowledge, if genuine.
• Examples of stock replenishment, delivery processing or POS system experience.
• Examples of merchandising, store housekeeping or window-display support.
• Information showing that you can work flexible shifts.
• Correct employment dates and previous employer details, if applicable.
• Reliable cellphone number and professional email address.
• Any supporting documents requested through the official Hey Dude Simplify application platform.

Need assistance with CVs, certified documents and application preparation? Visit our Learnership Resources and Guides.

Important note for applicants

This is a 7-month contract Sales Assistant role. It is not advertised as a learnership, internship or YES youth programme.

The official advert requires Grade 12 or equivalent and a minimum of 1 year of customer service experience.

The official advert states that Crocs product knowledge is advantageous and that applicants must be able to work flexible shifts.

The official advert does not state the salary, exact working hours, shift pattern, number of available positions or whether permanent employment may be available after the contract term.

The official advert states that applicants who are not contacted regarding this position within 2 weeks from the closing date should regard their application as unsuccessful.

About the sponsor

Ares Holdings is a South African company that distributes global footwear, apparel and accessories brands in Southern Africa.

Ares Holdings lists brands such as Under Armour, Oakley, Crocs, Birkenstock, Vans, Hey Dude and Ted Baker in its brand portfolio.

Hey Dude is a footwear brand focused on lightweight, comfortable and stylish shoes. Ares Holdings states that Hestia Brands, a subsidiary of Ares Holdings, secured the rights to import and distribute Hey Dude in December 2023.

Learn more through the official Ares Holdings website and the official Ares Holdings Hey Dude page.

Quick tips for applicants

• Apply before the official closing date of 13 July 2026.
• Submit by 12 July 2026 to reduce the risk of missing the deadline.
• Make sure your CV clearly shows Grade 12 or equivalent.
• Clearly show at least 1 year of customer service experience.
• Highlight retail sales, footwear, apparel, accessories or customer-facing experience.
• Mention Crocs product knowledge only if you genuinely have it.
• Include stock replenishment, POS, delivery processing or merchandising experience if relevant.
• Show that you can work flexible retail shifts.
• Use examples that show customer service, sales confidence and teamwork.
• Do not exaggerate product knowledge or retail experience.
• Check that your cellphone number and email address are correct before submitting.

Common mistakes that get applicants rejected

• Applying without Grade 12 or equivalent.
• Applying without at least 1 year of customer service experience.
• Submitting a CV that does not show customer-facing work clearly.
• Leaving retail, sales, stock or POS experience off the CV where relevant.
• Claiming Crocs product knowledge that cannot be explained.
• Not showing flexible-shift availability.
• Ignoring that the role is a 7-month contract.
• Providing incorrect employment dates or qualification details.
• Using an incorrect cellphone number or email address.
• Uploading an outdated or incomplete CV.
• Applying through unofficial links instead of the official Hey Dude Simplify page.
• Submitting the application after 13 July 2026.

Scam warning (important)

Applicants should apply only through the official Hey Dude Simplify recruitment page or another vacancy page clearly linked from an official Ares Holdings or Hey Dude website.

Do not pay anyone for registration, an application, an interview, background checks, training, uniform, equipment or placement. Legitimate employers do not require applicants to pay money to secure a job.

Do not share banking PINs, passwords, one-time PINs or unnecessary financial information with anyone claiming that they can guarantee a Hey Dude or Ares Holdings position.

Be cautious of recruitment messages sent from unofficial email addresses, private social-media accounts or cellphone numbers that request payment, favours, banking information or confidential documents outside the official application process.

Upload identity documents, qualifications and other sensitive documents only through the official and secure recruitment process.

Always return to the official Hey Dude vacancy page to confirm that the opportunity and application link remain genuine and available.

How this opportunity was verified

This opportunity was verified from the official Hey Dude Simplify recruitment listing for Sales Assistant (Contract).

The official listing confirmed the job title, Ares Holdings as the employer, Paarl location, Western Cape province, contract employment type, posted date, closing date, Hey Dude division, associate minimum experience, retail primary industry, customer service functional area and 7-month contract term.

The official listing also confirmed the Sales Assistant role at the Drakenstein store in Paarl, company values, customer service and sales responsibilities, inventory duties, daily operations duties, training requirements, merchandising duties, requirements and listed perks and benefits.

The official advert did not state the salary, exact working hours, shift pattern, number of available positions or whether permanent employment may be available after the 7-month contract when last checked.

Read more about our verification process on the How We Verify Listings page.

How to apply

1. Open the official Hey Dude application link below.
2. Read the complete Sales Assistant (Contract) vacancy carefully.
3. Confirm that you meet the Grade 12 or equivalent requirement.
4. Confirm that you have at least 1 year of customer service experience.
5. Confirm that you can work flexible shifts and complete the 7-month contract.
6. Prepare your updated CV and any supporting documents requested by the official Simplify platform.
7. Select the Apply option on the official vacancy page.
8. Create a Simplify candidate profile or sign in if you already have one.
9. Complete all personal, education and employment-history questions honestly.
10. Enter your customer service, sales, retail, footwear, stock, POS, merchandising and flexible-shift information accurately.
11. Upload your updated CV and any documents requested by the official platform.
12. Read the terms and conditions carefully before submitting personal information.
13. Check that your cellphone number, email address, qualification details and uploaded documents are correct.
14. Submit the application by 12 July 2026 where possible.
15. Keep the application confirmation or proof of submission.

Application Closing Date

The official closing date is 13 July 2026.

The official vacancy does not state the exact closing time. Applicants should submit by 12 July 2026 to reduce the risk of missing the deadline because of technical issues, missing documents or an incomplete online profile.