pharmacist

dispensary manager

consultant

store manager

cashier/sales

Dis--chem-Pharmacies-Limited

Working for Dis-Chem is very fast-paced almost everyday stressful because of the type of position that I hold. in my department is am responsible for ensuring that once a delivery is in a receiving cage - the gates are locked(electromagnet), invoice has a purchase order number and that the stock provided is on the invoice. When scanning using a scanner, damages and expiry dates are a must to be looked out for that's why stock is checked thoroughly and once everything is scanned the scanner produces a goods received note of what is have scanned along with a price and GRN number via a printer which then allows me to check the pricing against the invoice if it matches and what has been scanned with what has been ordered. If stock has been short delivered or damaged - a credit note will have to be done in writing using a provided credit book in which the pricing along with VAT will have to be calculated depending on the quantity of the units of stock is being credited for, or if stock has been short received - I can then re-enter the purchase order number and scan the outstanding quantity. Receiving via a pallet is a process whereby using a scanner - a barcode is scanned which is located on the pallet and uploaded onto the shop's database which then a GRN number is shown on the scanner and written down on the pallet's log sheet. When checking the boxes on the pallet, the same process applies by checking for damaged, short dated/expired and short supplied stock, if one of these factors come into play then a warehouse claim is done through emailing the warehouse and notifying of the condition of the stock. The most busiest days are festive and promotional seasons whereby stock is brought in higher quantities than usual.

•	Providing the best possible customer service
•	Exemplifying integrity, responsibility, and excellence and adhering to all policies.
•	Creating an inviting, maximum fully stock departments.
•	Interviewing potential Vitamins Consultant, Food Consultants and Supplement consultants. 
•	Making sure that the Consultants have training days scheduled and product knowledge are according to Dis-Chem standards.
•	Making sure stock levels for 8000+ products are available, correctly merchandised, expiries are checked and price updates are done.
•	Using programs like SAP, BI, Unisolv and Qlikview.
•	Generating zmor’s (system) to do ordering.
•	Ensuring that the stock meets Head Office requirements and standards. 
•	Liaising and building relationships with representatives from different companies supplying the pharmacy
•	Managing margins, ensuring that we have minimal shrinkage and maximum effective purchasing.
•	Ordering for the departments and making sure that there is no overstock merchandise,  as well as doing effective planning to eliminate dormant stock.
•	Working with the Store manager to address performance and disciplinary issues within the departments.
•	Maintaining the Safety and Security policies to ensure the safety of all customers and employees.
•	Resolving any customer queries and giving advise within my capability on Vitamins, Foods, Supplements and Homeopathic medications.
•	Continually increasing myself and my team’s product knowledge and interpersonal skills to maximise sales and profitability for the pharmacy.
•	Doing stocktakes when needed and making sure that the storeroom is according to head office standards.

Assisting customers on a daily basis with health care products enabled me to solve many health issues people had. I helped people who needed more than just a typical consultant, I learned about how the body works in terms of nutrition and was able to identify if there was a lack of a certain nutrient within a person based on what the he/she would tell me. 

I worked with an amazing team and we all encouraged each other and at the end of each day we could laugh about tough situations and get along like a family even through we might have had our differences. 

Management were very friendly and understanding but there were this was not always the case.

Due to the job role being target driven the most difficult part was convincing people to buy the house brand or a more expensive brand, selling products wasn't difficult, the difficult part for me was having to take advantage of the persons health issues so that we could make our targets.

Overall the company was good to work for.

A Culture of Sacrifice  is in this company. You are asked to work countless extra hours with no compensation. 20-35 extra hours a month. With no pay or time back. As its just expected. And if you by law and your employee contracts bring this up. You aren't a team player or a clock watcher. If you take leave or sick leave. You are seen as lazy and stay away from work too much. The company also changes your annual leave into non Stat leave after a time. Where it's leave that won't be paid out. But when you try and use this leave you are seem as lazy. The additional work put in is not a two way street. Giving extra at Dischem, is taken for granted. And they take and take and take. And when you ask for things, you are entitled too, such as annual leave, sick leave or overtime for hours you worked. You are labeled not a hard worker. There's a culture of Managers make sacrifices. Instead of giving people what they are owed or entitled too.

A day at work can be very rewarding if you work hard and use every minute there to be productive. You do work with very nice people that can make teamwork possible.
 
I learned so much from Dis-Chem. It is a retail environment and you meet a lot of people from your colleagues to customers.  I learned so much about people skills and retail.

I was very happy with the management in the stores. They are very supportive and will help when you need the help.
The work place is fun especially when there is different cultures.

The hardest part of the job was to reach targets but it also motivates an employee to work hard.

Most enjoyable part is when you can satisfy your customers. 


Having worked at so many different stores I have learned that people do have a different perspective to life based on their background, I found myself having to adjust my paradigm a number of times being faced with different problems and cultures, languages too. Understanding a patient takes more than just hearing a story... nothing was really difficult, if it was I would say it's because the person above me was stressed out and made work issues a personal thing which really influenced an outcome which should be business related, I placed myself in a position to be understanding but also to be happy before anything else and this is why I have had a smooth but successful outcome.

Working at Dis-Chem has been an incredibly challenging experience. The management is toxic, often displaying a lack of respect and support for employees. There is a constant expectation to work long hours, with no regard for personal time or work-life balance. The environment is highly stressful, and the high turnover rate speaks volumes about the dissatisfaction among staff. Overall, I would not recommend this company to anyone seeking a healthy and supportive workplace. Affirmative action is crippling the service levels and organizational structure.

Talking to customer and listening to their jokes. Working at Dis-Chem is a dream come true because the management care about an employee's well being. They always encourage staff to study and further their education.The management is very supportive they care about how you doing at Varsity and how did you write your exams the support structure is fully functional even Head Office personnel will enquire over the phone how is studies. The support is amazing.

Dischem has very good benefits, including salary. I loved working in the fast paced environment and I learned a lot. Unfortunately it became busier than could be handled, and management became less forgiving with regards to free time, etc.  Hours became longer and longer, and it started to interfere with me having a life and time for myself.  Dischem is a very good company to work for, but at some stage, you just cant go on at the pace they require.
The hardest part of the job is the hours, and the most enjoyable part is actually helping people, and making a difference.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Company has growth,more opportunities,upskilling employees and making sure thier employees come first.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Long hours do frustrate sometimes,..

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The environment is good,and the culture is the best(ubuntu),greet people,give employees positive environment,ask,listen,understand,think and respond...

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
As a leader i make sure my team has everything they need to perform their daily duties

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Pharmacist 6 salaries reported	R 34 833 per month
Dispensary manager 7 salaries reported	R 350 per day
Consultant 8 salaries reported	R 350 per day
Store manager 3 salaries reported	R 350 per day
Cashier/sales 3 salaries reported	R 5 133 per month

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