Graduate Buyer Opportunity at Pick n Pay Kensington

Pick n Pay is offering an exciting Graduate Buyer opportunity for an ambitious and analytical graduate in Kensington, Gauteng. This programme is designed for recently qualified graduates who want to build a career in retail buying while gaining practical experience with one of South Africa’s leading retailers. The successful candidate will learn how retail buying works across product ranges, pricing, promotions and supplier relationships while working alongside experienced Buyers and retail professionals. If you have a strong interest in numbers, business, customers and commercial decision-making, this could be an excellent opportunity to launch your career in retail.

The Graduate Buyer Programme provides practical exposure to the buying process and gives graduates the opportunity to take on meaningful responsibilities from the beginning. You will work in a fast-paced environment where analytical thinking, communication and financial understanding are important. The programme also provides mentorship and coaching to help graduates develop the commercial and relationship-building skills required for a successful career in retail buying.

Key Responsibilities

• Gain practical experience in the retail buying environment.
• Support Buyers with the planning and management of product ranges.
• Assist with product selection and range-related decisions.
• Contribute to pricing activities and analyse commercial information.
• Assist with planning and executing promotional activities.
• Work with suppliers and support supplier relationship management.
• Participate in supplier negotiations under appropriate guidance.
• Analyse sales, pricing and other relevant business data.
• Use Excel and other business tools to support buying decisions.
• Monitor market and customer trends that may influence product decisions.
• Assist with administrative and reporting activities within the buying function.
• Work with colleagues across different teams to support business objectives.
• Manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-moving retail environment.
• Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to commercial challenges.
• Develop an understanding of how buying decisions influence customers and business performance.

Requirements and Skills

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Recently completed BCom or BSc degree in a business-related field.
• Relevant fields may include Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Management, Supply Chain or Retail Management.
• Strong numerical and analytical ability.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Confidence when engaging with suppliers and colleagues.
• Strong interest in retail and commercial business.
• High level of energy, drive and resilience.
• Good Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Financial acumen and commercial awareness.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to learn and develop professionally.

The ideal Graduate Buyer should be comfortable working with numbers and using information to support commercial decisions. You should also be confident when communicating with different people and able to build professional relationships with suppliers and colleagues. Retail buying requires a combination of analytical thinking, customer understanding and commercial awareness, so candidates should be interested in both data and the customer experience. Resilience is also important because the retail industry moves quickly and priorities can change regularly.

What the Graduate Buyer Programme Offers

Successful graduates will gain practical on-the-job experience with Pick n Pay while learning how the retail buying process works. The programme provides exposure to important areas such as product ranges, pricing, promotions and supplier negotiations. Graduates will also receive mentorship and coaching from experienced Buyers and leaders who can provide guidance throughout the programme.

Participants will work in an environment where they can take on real responsibilities and contribute to business activities. The fast-paced nature of the retail sector means that every day can bring new challenges, opportunities and learning experiences. The programme also provides career growth opportunities for graduates who want to build long-term careers within Pick n Pay.

A monthly stipend will be provided to support participants while they gain practical workplace experience and develop their professional skills.

About Pick n Pay

Pick n Pay is one of South Africa’s leading retailers and has been serving customers since it was founded in 1967. The company operates across the African continent and focuses on delivering quality, value and an exceptional shopping experience. Pick n Pay also places strong emphasis on creating a workplace where employees can grow, contribute and develop meaningful careers.

The company’s culture is guided by values including passion for customers, respect and care, personal growth, leadership and innovation, honesty and integrity, community support, individual responsibility and accountability. These values shape how employees work with customers, colleagues, suppliers and the wider business.

Career Growth at Pick n Pay

The Graduate Buyer Programme offers graduates an opportunity to develop commercial skills that can support future roles in retail buying and related business functions. Exposure to pricing, product ranges, promotions, supplier negotiations and financial analysis can provide a strong foundation for a career in retail and supply chain management.

Pick n Pay aims to attract and retain talented employees by providing opportunities for development and recognising individual contributions. Graduates who demonstrate strong performance, commitment and a willingness to learn can build valuable experience and position themselves for future opportunities within the organisation.

The application deadline is 26 August 2026, so eligible graduates should ensure their applications are submitted before the closing date. If you have recently completed a relevant BCom or BSc degree, enjoy working with numbers and want to understand the commercial side of retail, this Graduate Buyer opportunity offers a practical way to begin your career.

Apply here