If you love the outdoors and want to build a career in one of South Africa’s most iconic retail groups, tracking Cape Union Mart Vacancies is your starting point. As the country’s leading outdoor and adventure retailer, Cape Union Mart has been outfitting hikers, campers, and travelers since 1933.
The company isn’t just about selling hiking boots. They operate a massive national footprint that includes their flagship Cape Union Mart stores, Old Khaki (streetwear), Poetry (women’s fashion), Tread+Miller, and the specialized K-Way manufacturing plant in Cape Town.
To keep this diverse retail engine running, they need a highly energetic and varied workforce. They are constantly looking for enthusiastic shop floor assistants to sell technical outdoor gear, sharp garment technologists to design the next K-Way jacket, and brilliant e-commerce managers to run their booming online stores.
Working for the Cape Union Mart Group (CUMG) comes with some fantastic retail perks. Employees generally receive competitive basic salaries, aggressive store performance bonuses, access to the company pension fund, and massive staff discounts across all their brands.
Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to earn, the specific roles they are currently looking to fill, and exactly how you should apply to get your CV noticed by their recruitment team.
Our Honest Take: Cape Union Mart vs. Fast Fashion?
Our Analysis: Selling at Cape Union Mart is very different from selling at a fast-fashion store like Mr Price. Here, you are selling highly technical, expensive gear. A customer relies on you to know exactly which waterproof jacket they need to survive climbing Kilimanjaro, or which GPS watch tracks their marathon best. You need genuine product knowledge and a passion for the outdoors, not just the ability to fold shirts.
Expert Pro Tip: “The Passion Pitch.” If you are applying for a store role, make sure your CV highlights your personal hobbies. If you are a trail runner, a rock climber, or a weekend camper, put that right at the top. The HR team actively looks for people who genuinely use the products they are going to sell.
Job Overview: Salary & Benefits (2026 Estimates)
| Role | Est. Monthly Salary (ZAR) | Category |
| Area / Regional Manager | R25,000 – R40,000 | Senior Retail |
| Garment Tech / Buyer | R18,000 – R28,000 | Corporate / Fashion |
| Store Manager | R12,000 – R18,000 | Store Leadership |
| Visual Merchandiser | R10,000 – R15,000 | Creative Retail |
| Outdoor Sales Assistant | R5,500 – R8,000 | Customer Facing |
| Distribution / Picker | R5,000 – R7,000 | Logistics |
Available Job Positions (2026 Breakdown)
Because the group designs, manufactures, and sells its own products, their hiring spans from the factory floor to the mall storefront. Here are the three main areas they recruit for:
1. Retail Stores & Customer Service
- Roles: Store Managers, Assistant Managers, Sales Assistants, Cashiers.
- The Job: You are the face of the brand. You will advise customers on technical gear, manage daily banking, drive the store’s monthly sales targets, and ensure the shop floor is immaculately clean.
- Requirements: Grade 12 (Matric). A passion for outdoor activities and previous retail sales experience are highly preferred.
2. Corporate Head Office (Cape Town)
- Roles: Planners, Fashion Buyers, E-Commerce Specialists, Marketing Coordinators.
- The Job: Designing the future of the brand. You will analyze sales data to decide which jackets to stock next winter, negotiate with international suppliers, or run the digital marketing campaigns for Old Khaki.
- Requirements: Relevant Degrees or Diplomas in Retail Business Management, Fashion Design, or Digital Marketing.
3. K-Way Manufacturing & Logistics
- Roles: Machinists, Pattern Makers, Warehouse Pickers, Logistics Controllers.
- The Job: Making and moving the gear. You will sew the technical seams on the famous K-Way down jackets at their Ottery factory, or pick and pack online orders at the massive national distribution center.
- Requirements: Factory workers need proven sewing/machining experience. Warehouse staff need physical fitness and basic computer literacy to use scanning guns.
The Reality of Working in Premium Retail
- The KPI and Target Pressure:
Premium retail is highly metric-driven. As a sales assistant, your manager will track your “Units Per Transaction” (UPT) and “Average Basket Value.” You cannot just stand behind the till; you must actively upsell (e.g., selling waterproof spray alongside a pair of hiking boots).
- Weekend and Holiday Work:
Shopping malls are busiest when everyone else is off work. If you work in the stores, you will work most weekends, late mall-shift hours, and you will absolutely work through the chaotic December and Black Friday retail peaks.
- Deep Product Training:
You cannot fake technical knowledge. Cape Union Mart requires staff to undergo continuous product training. You will be expected to learn the specific waterproof ratings (Gore-Tex vs. standard nylon), the different lumen counts of headlamps, and the exact fit of various hiking boots.
Featured “Hot Job”: Retail Store Manager
With their footprint constantly expanding across new malls and shopping centers, the group aggressively recruits experienced Store Managers who can lead teams and hit high financial targets.
- Estimated Salary: R12,000 – R18,000 per month (plus aggressive store bonuses).
- Location: Nationwide (Various premium malls).
Requirements:
- Grade 12 (Matric) minimum; a retail diploma is a big plus.
- At least 3 years of management experience in a premium retail environment.
- Proven ability to manage shrinkage (stock loss), staff rosters, and drive high-value sales.
How to Apply Correctly? (Multiple Channels)
The CUMG uses a centralized online system for all their brands (Cape Union Mart, Old Khaki, Poetry). Dropping a CV at the till is usually only good for temporary holiday jobs.
Method 1: The Official CUMG Careers Portal
This is the required route for permanent shop floor and corporate roles.
- Step 1: Go to the official Cape Union Mart website and scroll down to the “Careers” link at the bottom.
- Step 2: Browse the vacancies. You can filter by the specific brand you want to work for (e.g., Old Khaki vs. Cape Union Mart).
- Step 3: Register a profile on their digital recruitment platform.
- Step 4: Upload your CV. Make sure your CV clearly highlights any previous retail experience, POS (Point of Sale) system knowledge, and your personal interest in outdoor lifestyle or fashion.
Method 2: The “Holiday Casual” Walk-In
- Action: Best for students looking for December work.
- How: In late September and October, stores start hunting for “casuals” to survive the Black Friday and Christmas rush. Print a neat CV, dress professionally (no slops or torn jeans), and ask to hand it directly to the Store Manager on a quiet weekday morning.
Method 3: LinkedIn (For Buyers & Planners)
- Action: Follow “Cape Union Mart Group” on LinkedIn.
- Why: The HR team at the Cape Town head office heavily utilizes LinkedIn to headhunt for corporate talent, especially experienced Fashion Buyers, Demand Planners, and IT Developers.
Thabo Mandla is the lead Career Guide Expert at DurbanTalent.com. With over 10 years of practical experience in South African recruitment, he specializes in connecting professionals with top employers in Aviation, Finance, and Hospitality. Thabo combines his background in Human Resources with direct insights from local hiring managers to provide job seekers with accurate, actionable, and reliable career advice. He is passionate about helping candidates navigate the Durban job market and achieve their professional goals.