PEP, South Africa’s premier discount retailer, is on the hunt for a visionary Chief Executive of Merchandise to join its leadership team in the Western Cape. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of retail and make a lasting impact on millions of South Africans.
The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of PEP’s merchandise operations, including clothing, footwear, and home products. They will be responsible for developing and executing innovative merchandise strategies aligned with PEP’s vision and commercial goals. A key part of the role involves leading a talented team, fostering innovation, and driving performance across Trend, Sourcing, Quality, and Sustainability.
The role’s core focus is on delivering strong sales, profit margins, and stock management while ensuring the product offerings stay relevant, affordable, and aligned with consumer insights. The CEO will also lead the company’s sustainability initiatives and build robust relationships with local and international suppliers to secure value, ethics, and supply reliability.
Collaboration is essential; the CEO will work closely with various departments to ensure a seamless customer experience that reflects PEP’s purpose of serving with heart. They will also contribute to the broader business strategy and represent the merchandise function at the Pepkor Group level.
Candidates should hold a relevant qualification in Fashion, Textile Design, Merchandising, or related fields, with at least 10 years of retail buying management experience. Ideally, they will have 3-5 years at a senior leadership level, with a deep understanding of South Africa’s discount or mass-market consumer base. Strong commercial acumen, leadership skills, and experience in sourcing and supplier negotiations are critical.
The ideal candidate will be a purpose-led leader with high emotional maturity and the ability to inspire large, diverse teams. They should possess excellent communication skills, strategic insight, and be comfortable navigating a fast-paced retail environment. Influencing stakeholders at executive level and contributing to the organisation’s innovation and growth are key expectations.
This permanent role offers a chance to shape the future of retail in South Africa, leading one of its most iconic brands to new heights. If you believe you have what it takes to lead with vision and purpose, this could be your moment.
Apply here