Hiring Now | Assistant Store Leader | Old Khaki Dihlabeng Mall | Bethlehem, Free State | Permanent Mid-Senior Management Position

Cape Union Mart International, a premier South African retail group celebrated for its high-quality outdoor apparel, footwear, and urban lifestyle brands, is seeking an inspiring, commercially driven, and operationally sharp retail professional to fill the permanent position of Assistant Leader for the Old Khaki store at the popular Dihlabeng Mall in Bethlehem, Free State. This mid-senior management post, officially listed on the jobsandcareeropportunities.co.za portal, is an exceptional leadership opportunity combining store operations management, turnover optimization, inventory control, and team development. If you possess a Matric or equivalent, have at least 3 years of retail management experience, and demonstrate a proven track record of driving sales while building a vibrant team culture, apply before the closing date. Premium corporate vacancies are filling fast — secure your retail management career today.

Detail	Information
Job Title	Assistant Store Leader
Division / Brand	Old Khaki (Cape Union Mart International Group)
Business Unit	Stores Central Region
Position Type	Permanent
Experience Level	Mid-Senior Level (Minimum 3 Years Retail Management Experience Required)
Job Functional Area	Store Operations, Sales Management, Team Leadership & Shrinkage Control
Primary Location	Dihlabeng Mall, Bethlehem, Free State
Posted Date	10 June 2026
Closing Date	08 July 2026 (Active hiring cycle)
Background Checks	Clear Criminal Record Required
Application Status	Open – Accepting Applications Now

Cape Union Mart International and the Old Khaki brand are firmly committed to fostering an inclusive, energetic, and high-performance workforce that reflects the diverse talent pool of South Africa. In strict alignment with progressive corporate transformation mandates, employment equity principles, and regional talent distribution frameworks, all candidate assessments, background evaluations, and final placements are carried out fairly. The company reserves the right to modify these employment conditions, operational targets, and localized store assignments at any time based on commercial requirements, seasonal peak shifts, and group retail strategies.

About the Role

Located at the high-traffic Dihlabeng Mall in Bethlehem, the Old Khaki retail environment demands an exceptional standard of visual presentation, strict operational compliance, and active sales leadership. The primary purpose of the Assistant Leader is to assist the Store Leader in managing all aspects of the store, maximizing daily turnover and profitability, minimizing stock shrinkage, and delivering an exceptional customer experience.

This mid-senior position requires a minimum of 3 years of proven retail management experience, ensuring you already understand the complexities of running a profitable retail outlet, analyzing sales data, and leading staff. Alongside your Matric qualification, you must possess strong Microsoft computer proficiency, a clear criminal record, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization. As an assistant leader, you will be expected to demonstrate high thinking adaptability and innovation to manage change, while practicing absolute honesty in dealing with cash and store finances.

The ideal candidate brings a blend of inspirational leadership, a deep passion for the retail lifestyle, and a strong sense of personal ownership. Joining the Cape Union Mart International retail family gives a dedicated retail manager outstanding corporate stability, a competitive remuneration structure, performance incentives, and a direct, structured path to expanding their career into full store leadership and regional operations management.

Please note: Holding a valid Matric Certificate or a recognized equivalent qualification is a strict, mandatory prerequisite to enter the selection process for this position.

Full compliance with special conditions of employment—including a completely clear personal criminal record, advanced digital literacy, and the total flexibility to work retail trading hours (including weekends, evening shifts, and public holidays)—is strictly required.

Key Responsibilities

Store Management & Profitability Optimization

• Assist in managing all operational and financial aspects of the store, ensuring smooth daily trading and high performance.

• Maximize store turnover and gross profit margins by implementing strategic upselling initiatives and tracking daily sales targets.

• Minimise shrinkage and stock loss continuously by proactively monitoring stock-related risks, improving security awareness, and enforcing strict inventory control procedures.

• Implement and uphold all company policies, operational procedures, and standards consistently across the floor and stockroom.

Customer Experience & Visual Merchandising

• Deliver exceptional customer service consistently by implementing the group’s customer experience strategy and handling complex queries professionally.

• Execute innovative visual merchandising strategies to optimize floor layout, attract foot traffic, and drive product sales velocity.

• Maintain overall store housekeeping and aesthetic excellence, ensuring the retail environment remains clean, organized, and inspiring for shoppers.

• Ensure health and safety practices are maintained strictly on the sales floor and in the stockroom, eliminating workplace hazards.

Talent Selection & Team Development

• Lead talent selection, training, coaching, and retention initiatives to build a highly capable and motivated store team.

• Optimize team performance by creating an inspiring, positive work environment that encourages productivity and accountability.

• Align all team members with the unique company culture, fostering a fun, energetic, and collaborative atmosphere on the floor.

• Recognize and reward individual and team initiatives, boosting morale and retaining top-performing retail talent.

Minimum Requirements

Education & Experience

• A valid Matric Certificate (Grade 12) or recognized equivalent qualification.

• A minimum of 3 years of stable, verifiable retail management experience (essential for navigating store leadership responsibilities).

Core Competencies & Skills

• High level of Microsoft Computer Proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook, and POS database systems) for retail reporting and digital communications.

• Strong ability to communicate effectively and clearly (both verbal and written) in English at all levels of the organization.

• Solid baseline knowledge of clothing trends, visual merchandising principles, and retail shrinkage mitigation frameworks.

Behavioral Attributes

• Absolute honesty and integrity when dealing with cash, daily banking, and store finances.

• Inspirational leadership capabilities and an authentic passion for retail excellence and team empowerment.

• Proven track record of taking ownership of store targets, staff outputs, and problem-solving scenarios.

• Outstanding capacity for building and maintaining professional relationships with a diverse customer base and corporate stakeholders.

• Strong aptitude for innovation, change management, and thinking adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Special Working Conditions

• Must possess a completely clear criminal record (subject to mandatory pre-employment background screening).

• Absolute willingness and availability to work retail trading hours, including weekends, late shifts, and peak holiday shopping seasons in line with Dihlabeng Mall schedules.

• Valid South African citizenship or legal permanent residency status.

KINDLY NOTE THAT SINCE THE CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION IS 08 JULY 2026, INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS OR SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Core Corporate Values

Inspirational Leadership & Culture

At Old Khaki, we believe great stores are built by great leaders. We look for individuals who lead by example, bring high energy to the sales floor daily, and possess the ability to align their team with a fun, collaborative, and high-performance corporate culture.

Absolute Integrity & Ownership

Managing a premium retail store requires total accountability. We maintain zero tolerance for financial discrepancies, poor inventory controls, or passing blame. We expect our Assistant Leaders to take absolute ownership of their store’s stock health, financial processes, and compliance standards.

Customer-Centric Commercial Focus

Exceeding expectations is at the heart of our brand. We value retail managers who understand how to transform standard service into memorable customer experiences, using smart floor styling and active coaching to keep their team focused on driving commercial turnover.

Career Growth Opportunities

A permanent mid-senior leadership position within the Cape Union Mart International group offers an exceptional foundation for building a long-term corporate retail, regional operations, or brand management career:

Assistant Leader → Store Leader / Bethlehem Store Manager

Store Leader → Senior Cluster Manager / Flagship Store Manager

Cluster Manager → Regional Retail Operations Coordinator / Brand Trainer

Regional Specialist → Divisional Retail Manager / Head of Store Operations

Your store’s profitability, leadership metrics, and commitment to brand standards dictate your growth path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly do I submit my application since the closing date is approaching?

Applications should be submitted through the official Cape Union Mart International corporate careers site or via the direct application link listed on the jobsandcareeropportunities.co.za portal before 08 July 2026.

What specific operational support does an Assistant Leader receive from the group?

Cape Union Mart International provides comprehensive regional management support, structured visual merchandising guides, ongoing leadership training modules, and robust automated point-of-sale and stock tracking tools to ensure your store succeeds.

Does this position involve managing the full stock-taking process?

Yes. Assistant Leaders play a crucial role in managing inventory health. This includes coordinating stock counts, checking stock delivery accuracy, conducting root-cause analysis on shrinkage risks, and keeping the stockroom highly organized.

Are background checks mandatory for mid-senior retail management positions?

Yes. Because the position involves supervising store finances, processing daily banking logs, managing high-value stock inventory, and leading a team, a completely clear criminal record check is a mandatory requirement for employment.

What are the primary operational hours for a store manager at Dihlabeng Mall?

Dihlabeng Mall operates on standard and extended retail hours seven days a week. Successful management candidates must be fully flexible to work rostered shifts that cover opening setups, closing procedures, weekends, and peak public holiday trading.

How to Apply

Are you ready to use your retail management experience, lead an energetic team, maximize store profitability, and build a stable, progressive leadership career with Cape Union Mart International? Applications are officially open through the jobsandcareeropportunities.co.za portal. Ensure your updated CV, management references, and Matric certificate are fully prepared before submitting.

Application Steps

🔗 Official Application Link:

Access the corporate portal directly via: Apply Online – Cape Union Mart International Careers

Applicants must ensure their uploaded digital CV and cover letter explicitly state the job title and location: Assistant Leader - Old Khaki Dihlabeng to ensure immediate tracking, automated sorting, and accurate routing by the Stores Central regional HR team.

All applications must include a comprehensive, recently updated Curriculum Vitae highlighting detailed work references from your past 3 years of retail management experience, a clear copy of your Matric Certificate, and a copy of your South African Identity Document. Ensuring your contact details and reference numbers are accurate is essential for rapid interview setups.

Apply early — this premium retail management vacancy closes strictly on 08 July 2026.

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