Pick n Pay is one of South Africa's best-known retailers and a major employer of cashiers, packers and food department staff.

About Pick n Pay

Pick n Pay was founded in 1967 in Cape Town by Raymond Ackerman and is headquartered in Kenilworth, Cape Town. Its stores include supermarkets and hypermarkets, Pick n Pay Express (at petrol stations), Pick n Pay Clothing, Pick n Pay Liquor and in-store pharmacies, plus the asap! delivery service.

Corporate vs franchise stores

A large share of Pick n Pay stores are franchises, owned by independent business owners rather than head office. That affects how you apply:

• Corporate stores: hiring goes through the Pick n Pay careers site.
• Franchise stores: the franchise owner or store manager often handles hiring directly, so you may need to apply through the store.

If an online application gets no response, ask politely at the store which type it is and who handles recruitment.

Jobs commonly available

• Cashier and customer service desk
• Packer and merchandiser
• Butchery, bakery, deli and fresh produce assistant
• Online order picker and delivery driver (asap!)
• Pharmacy assistant and pharmacist
• Till supervisor and department manager
• Distribution centre workers and drivers

Requirements

• South African ID or valid work permit
• Grade 12 for most roles
• Numeracy for cashier and till roles
• Fresh food experience is a plus for butchery, bakery and deli
• Driver's licence for delivery roles
• Flexibility with shifts, weekends and public holidays

How to apply

1. Go to the Pick n Pay careers page and search by location and job type.
2. Upload an up-to-date CV and keep your details consistent.
3. For franchise stores, ask about their recruitment process and drop off your CV if they allow it, then follow up.
4. Watch for youth programmes and learnerships on the careers site.

You should never pay to apply for a Pick n Pay job.

Selection process

1. Application and CV screening
2. Short phone call or online assessment
3. Face-to-face interview with the store manager
4. Reference and background checks
5. Induction on tills, hygiene and customer service

Pay and working conditions

Entry-level positions are typically close to the minimum wage, with higher pay for supervisors, fresh food specialists and pharmacy staff. Franchise stores set their own conditions, so pay and benefits can differ between stores.

Interview tips

• Know the store you are applying to, including its size and departments.
• Use real examples of working under pressure, even from school, church or community events.
• Show that you care about food safety and neatness for fresh food roles.
• Be clear about your availability. Managers hire people who fit their roster.

FAQ

Is Pick n Pay hiring all year? Hiring is heaviest before December and when new stores open.

Can I work for a store far from home? You can, but managers prefer people with reliable transport for early or late shifts.

Where to read employee reviews

Experiences at Pick n Pay can differ between corporate and franchise stores, so read several reviews and note which type of store they mention. These are personal opinions, not our own assessment.

• Pick n Pay on Glassdoor https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Pick-n-Pay-Reviews-E40523.htm
• Pick n Pay on Indeed https://za.indeed.com/cmp/Pick-N-Pay

BEmployed is not affiliated with these companies or review sites. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and are not verified by us