Pepkor Speciality – Graduate Store Planner

Graduate planning opportunities can help applicants build practical workplace exposure in retail merchandise planning, stock allocation, replenishment, store performance reporting, business analysis, stock distribution and merchandise strategy support. Pepkor Speciality is recruiting a Graduate Store Planner for the Refinery brand in Cape Town, Western Cape.

This is a contract opportunity in the Planning department. The successful candidate will join the merchandise team in the planning space and gain exposure to the world of work while supporting stock planning, store allocation, sales opportunities and overall merchandise performance.

Important: This vacancy is advertised as a Graduate Store Planner contract opportunity. It is not advertised as a learnership, internship or YES youth opportunity. Applicants need a relevant tertiary qualification in Retail Planning, Commerce, Business or a related field and must not be a beneficiary of any SETA-funded programme.

At a glance

What this opportunity is

This is a Graduate Store Planner opportunity with Refinery, a division of Pepkor Trading (Pty) Ltd.

The official advert states that Refinery is seeking to employ a Graduate Store Planner to join the merchandise team in the planning space for a contract to gain exposure in the world of work.

The role will support the development and execution of business plans that help drive the success of the brand’s merchandise strategies.

The successful candidate will help ensure optimal stock allocation, maximise sales opportunities and contribute to profitability through effective planning and analysis.

The official advert does not state the salary, stipend, benefits, contract duration, exact working hours, exact start date or whether permanent employment may be available after the contract.

Who this opportunity may suit

This opportunity may suit a graduate with a relevant tertiary qualification in Retail Planning, Commerce, Business or a related field who wants to gain practical exposure in retail merchandise planning.

It may be suitable for someone who enjoys numbers, analysis, planning, retail performance, stock allocation, store-level decision support and business reporting.

The role may also suit applicants with academic or practical exposure to retail planning, commerce, business, stock control, distribution, replenishment, buying support, merchandise cycles or store performance analysis.

Because the role is based in Cape Town, applicants should consider whether they can work from the required location before applying.

What you will do and learn

The official vacancy lists the following key responsibilities and exposure areas:

Stock allocation and replenishment support

• Assist in making sure seasonal products are sent to the right stores in the right amounts to support strong sales.
• Support the optimal distribution of non-seasonal and seasonal replenishment stock.
• Assist in setting up replenishment plans for products during both seasonal and regular periods.
• Build understanding of stock control and distribution.
• Gain exposure to how products are restocked during seasonal and non-seasonal periods.

Store planning and performance support

• Assist in delivering a location plan that allows for the clustering of stores at the required product level.
• Review store performance data.
• Help prepare accurate reports to support better business decisions.
• Help create stock plans for new store openings so stores are ready for trading.
• Support stores with stock-related questions or issues.
• Join store visits when needed to better understand store needs and operations.

Merchandise planning and business analysis

• Support business plans linked to merchandise strategies.
• Help maximise sales opportunities through effective planning and analysis.
• Contribute to profitability through accurate analysis and planning support.
• Develop knowledge of the retail merchandise cycle with regards to buying.
• Build analytical thinking and problem-solving experience in a retail planning environment.

Important: The duties above are based on the official vacancy. Pepkor Speciality and Refinery may allocate additional reasonable planning, merchandise, reporting, store support, stock, replenishment, analysis, administration or retail-related duties according to business and contract requirements.

Eligibility requirements

Applicant requirements

• Must have a relevant tertiary qualification in Retail Planning, Commerce, Business or a related field.
• Must not be a beneficiary of any SETA-funded programme.
• Experience in Retail Planning, Commerce, Business or related fields would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of stock control and distribution is required.
• Knowledge of the retail merchandise cycle with regards to Buying is required.
• Awareness of replenishment during seasonal and non-seasonal periods is required.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills are required.
• Interpersonal and relationship-building skills are required.
• Planning, organising and time-management skills are essential.
• Proficiency in Google Suite would be an advantage.
• Must be able to work independently and as a team player.
• Must be flexible, function under pressure and maintain a positive attitude.
• Must be self-motivated, take responsibility and have a sense of pride in one’s work.
• Must be assertive and communicate effectively at all levels.
• Must provide complete, accurate and truthful information during the official application process.

Qualification requirement explained

The official advert requires a relevant tertiary qualification in Retail Planning, Commerce, Business or a related field.

Applicants should clearly show their qualification, institution, field of study and completion details on the CV.

Applicants should prepare qualification documents and academic records if these are requested through the official Pepkor Speciality eRecruit application platform.

SETA-funded programme requirement explained

The official advert states that applicants must not be a beneficiary of any SETA-funded programme.

Applicants should answer any SETA-funded programme questions honestly during the official application process.

Incorrect information about current or previous funded programme participation may affect the application if checks are completed later in the recruitment process.

Retail planning knowledge explained

The official advert highlights knowledge of stock control, distribution, the retail merchandise cycle and buying-related planning.

Applicants should show any relevant academic projects, internships, workplace exposure, retail experience, planning experience or business analysis experience on the CV.

Useful examples may include stock allocation, replenishment, sales analysis, retail reports, merchandise cycles, buying support, store performance, product movement or inventory control.

Analytical and numerical ability explained

The official advert says the ideal candidate should have strong analytical and proven numerical abilities.

Applicants should highlight examples of working with numbers, analysing data, preparing reports, using spreadsheets, solving business problems or making recommendations from performance information.

This is important because the role involves store performance data, business reports, stock planning, replenishment and profitability support.

Skills and personal attributes that may help

• Interest in retail merchandise planning.
• Strong numerical ability.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Ability to work with store performance data and reports.
• Understanding of stock control and distribution.
• Interest in buying, merchandise cycles and replenishment.
• Planning, organising and time-management ability.
• Ability to work under pressure while staying positive.
• Self-motivation and pride in work.
• Assertive and effective communication.
• Relationship-building with stores and internal teams.
• Google Suite skills, if applicable.

What this opportunity really means

This is a practical graduate contract opportunity in retail merchandise planning.

The successful applicant should expect exposure to stock allocation, replenishment, store clustering, store performance reporting, new-store stock planning, store support, merchandise strategy support and business analysis.

The opportunity may help applicants build experience in retail planning, merchandise planning, stock management, business reporting and store operations support.

Applicants should not treat this contract as a guaranteed permanent job unless Pepkor Speciality or Refinery confirms this directly during the recruitment process.

Applicants should confirm salary or stipend, contract duration, working hours, reporting arrangements, start date and any additional contract conditions directly with Pepkor Speciality if shortlisted.

Application checklist

Prepare the following before applying:

• Updated CV.
• Clear copy of South African ID or valid identity document, if requested.
• Proof of tertiary qualification in Retail Planning, Commerce, Business or a related field, if requested.
• Academic transcript or record of results, if requested.
• Confirmation that you are not a beneficiary of any SETA-funded programme.
• Examples of retail planning, commerce, business, stock control or distribution exposure, if applicable.
• Examples of working with numbers, reports, spreadsheets or data analysis.
• Examples of planning, organising and time-management ability.
• Examples of Google Suite experience, if applicable.
• Reliable cellphone number and professional email address.
• Any supporting documents requested through the official Pepkor Speciality eRecruit application platform.

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

Important note for applicants

This is a Graduate Store Planner contract opportunity. It is not advertised as a learnership, internship or YES youth opportunity.

The official advert requires a relevant tertiary qualification in Retail Planning, Commerce, Business or a related field.

The official advert also states that applicants must not be a beneficiary of any SETA-funded programme.

Experience in Retail Planning, Commerce, Business or related fields would be advantageous.

The official advert does not state the salary, stipend, benefits, contract duration, exact working hours, exact start date or whether permanent employment may be available after the contract.

In terms of company policy for appointments and promotions, preference will be given to candidates who will enhance the diversity of the team and contribute to employment equity within the company, provided the competencies and minimum requirements for the position have been met.

About the sponsor

Refinery is a retail brand within Pepkor Trading (Pty) Ltd and is linked to Pepkor Speciality’s recruitment platform.

The official advert describes Refinery as a leading division of Pepkor Trading (Pty) Ltd.

This Graduate Store Planner opportunity is part of the Planning department and is linked to the merchandise team in Cape Town.

The role supports merchandise strategy, stock allocation, sales opportunities and profitability through planning and analysis.

Learn more through the official Pepkor website

Quick tips for applicants

• Apply before the official closing date of 21 July 2026.
• Submit by 20 July 2026 to reduce the risk of missing the deadline.
• Use reference number PSP260714-2 when tracking the vacancy.
• Make sure your CV clearly shows your relevant tertiary qualification.
• Clearly show Retail Planning, Commerce, Business or related study exposure.
• Be honest about whether you are a beneficiary of any SETA-funded programme.
• Highlight retail planning, stock control, distribution or business analysis exposure if you have it.
• Show numerical ability and analytical thinking clearly.
• Include spreadsheet, reporting or Google Suite experience if applicable.
• Show planning, organising and time-management ability.
• Check that your cellphone number and email address are correct before submitting.
• Apply only through the official Pepkor Speciality eRecruit vacancy page.

Common mistakes that get applicants rejected

• Applying without a relevant tertiary qualification.
• Not showing Retail Planning, Commerce, Business or related study details clearly.
• Not being truthful about SETA-funded programme participation.
• Leaving stock control, distribution, replenishment or retail planning exposure off the CV where relevant.
• Not showing analytical and numerical ability clearly.
• Not showing planning, organising or time-management skills.
• Submitting a generic CV that does not connect to retail merchandise planning.
• Using an incorrect cellphone number or email address.
• Uploading an outdated or incomplete CV.
• Applying through unofficial links instead of the official Pepkor Speciality eRecruit vacancy page.
• Submitting the application after 21 July 2026.

Scam warning (important)

Applicants should apply only through the official Pepkor Speciality eRecruit recruitment page or another vacancy page clearly linked from an official Pepkor or Pepkor Speciality careers website.

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

Do not share banking PINs, passwords, one-time PINs, email passwords, system passwords or unnecessary financial information with anyone claiming that they can guarantee a Pepkor Speciality, Refinery or Graduate Store Planner 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, CVs and other sensitive documents only through the official and secure recruitment process.

Always return to the official Pepkor Speciality 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 Pepkor Speciality eRecruit listing for Graduate Store Planner, reference number PSP260714-2.

The official listing confirmed the job title, reference number, Planning department, Refinery brand, reporting position, contract job classification, number of positions, Cape Town location, Western Cape province, South Africa country and official closing date.

The official listing also confirmed the job description, qualification requirement, SETA-funded programme requirement, advantageous experience, knowledge and skills requirements, key responsibilities, Employment Equity policy wording and personal-information processing wording.

The official advert does not state the salary, stipend, benefits, contract duration, exact working hours, exact start date or whether permanent employment may be available after the contract when last checked.

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

How to apply

1. Open the official Pepkor Speciality eRecruit application link below.
2. Read the complete Graduate Store Planner advert carefully.
3. Confirm that you have a relevant tertiary qualification in Retail Planning, Commerce, Business or a related field.
4. Confirm that you are not a beneficiary of any SETA-funded programme.
5. Prepare your updated CV and any supporting documents requested by the official eRecruit platform.
6. Select the Apply option on the official vacancy page.
7. Create an eRecruit candidate profile or sign in if you already have one.
8. Complete your profile fully, because the site may require a complete profile before applications can be submitted.
9. Complete all personal, education, qualification, experience and screening questions honestly.
10. Enter your retail planning, commerce, business, stock control, distribution, replenishment, reporting, Google Suite, analytical and numerical experience accurately where applicable.
11. Upload your CV and any documents requested by the official platform.
12. Read the privacy and application terms 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 20 July 2026 where possible.
15. Keep the application confirmation or proof of submission.

Application Closing Date

The official closing date is 21 July 2026.

The official vacancy does not state the exact closing time. Applicants should submit by 20 July 2026 to reduce the risk of missing the deadline because of technical issues, missing documents or an incomplete online profile.