CAREERS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN
CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY

CAREERS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY

Consumer Goods Council of South Africa is consolidating its focus on advancing the skills base for the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Industry. The following outlines the entire value chain the Professional Body seeks to support:

  • Product Design and Development: This is where ideas are born, and products are conceptualised.
  • Procurement and Sourcing: Involves acquiring raw materials or finished goods from suppliers.
  • Production and Manufacturing: The actual creation or assembly of the products.
  • Logistics and Distribution: Getting products from manufacturing sites to retail locations.
  • Sales and Marketing: Strategies to sell the product and communicate its value to consumers.
  • Retail Operations: Running day-to-day in-store or online retail activities.
  • Customer Service and Support: Ensuring customer satisfaction and handling post-purchase needs.

The value chain spans a myriad of industries, which requires specialised skillsets. CGCSA is therefor in constant consultation with other industries to co-ordinate and collaborate on developing the skills related to the value chain. The CGCSA has focussed specifically on the last three tiers, i.e. Sales and Marketing, Retail Operations and Customer Service and Support, offering continuous development learning.

Training Programmes

The following are some of the programmes the Council avails to members:

  • Food Safety & Hygiene and Regulatory Training – 2-day Programme
  • Food Handling Training – 1-day Programme
  • GS1 Standards & Supply Chain Efficiencies Training – 3-day Programme
  • Merchandising Training – 1-day Programme
  • Retail Readiness Training – 1-day Programme

Career Pathways and Designations

The CGCSA will continue to inform the entire value chain, but has identified the following designations as a career pathway for the mentioned three tiers:

1. Certified Retail Customer Experience Representative (CRCXR)

The focus of this generalist designation is on acknowledging entry level competence of people working in the industry. This designation will acknowledge, and support FMCG focused competencies related to Backoffice, Client Facing and Call Centre type contexts or roles covering skills related to:

  • Sales
  • Customer Service
  • Packers / Share of Shelf
  • Cashiers
  • Value chain insight
  • Use of Technology / Retailer systems
  • Merchandising
2. Certified Retail Operations Lead (CSM)

The focus of the next level designation is on acknowledging competence that inform and lead the outputs of the generalist retail occupations. This designation is focussed on typical departmental management roles. The competencies related to the following would be the focus of this designation:

  • Customer centrism
  • Leadership/team
  • Finances - budget & analysis
  • Data analysis / interpretation
  • Technology Integration
  • Service delivery accountability / quality mindedness
  • Product market research – needs analyst / competitor analysis
  • Lead team and stakeholders such as vendors/suppliers
  • Visual merchandising
3. Certified Retail Manager (CRM)

This designation focuses on competencies related to the management of FMCG related outlets, regions, etc. The following are some of the competencies addressed and promoted for this designation:

  • Retail outlet management
  • Multiple (regional) outlet oversight
  • Team leadership
  • Sales targets planning and monitoring
  • Customer experience management
  • Financial and business sustainability acumen
  • Operations & technology optimisation
  • Disruption Agility
  • Business Sustainability
  • Customer Loyalty and Market Share
4. Certified Retail Executive (CRE)

This designation focuses on the strategic roles in FMCG Industry. The following are some of the competencies that relates to this designation:

  • Strategic Leadership
  • Cross-Functional (such as marketing, finance, and operations) Collaboration
  • Innovation and Change Management
  • Market and Trends Analysis
  • Corporate Governance
  • Networking and Partnerships
  • Business Expansion & Development
  • Global Market Insight
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
  • Contract and supplier management

The Certified Retail Operations Lead (CSM) has been submitted to SAQA as the first Designation to be registered. It will be followed by the Certified Retail Customer Experience Representative (CRCXR) and then the two management related designations.

Explore Career Opportunities

Click below to discover detailed career paths and learning opportunities in the FMCG industry.

Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)