Transforming retail: Kerry Janse van Rensburg’s rise at Pick n Pay

Kerry Janse van Rensburg’s career has been a testament to the power of curiosity, resilience, and forward thinking.

Today, as Head of Digital Operations at Pick n Pay, she is at the forefront of the retailer’s digital transformation, steering one of South Africa’s most recognisable supermarket brands through a period of rapid technological evolution.

“I feel excited and humbled to be leading Pick n Pay’s digital operations at such a pivotal moment in the retail sector,” van Rensburg said in a recent interview with Business Report.

“Technology is no longer just an enabler. It is central to how we connect with customers and anticipate their needs,” she added. 

Her story begins years before her current role, rooted in a deep interest in technology and a desire to understand how systems could shape real-world experiences.

van Rensburg recalled, “Even early in my career, I was drawn to projects where technology could solve practical problems. I saw retail as a perfect landscape to create impact because it touches people’s lives every day.”

Her early career saw her navigate a range of roles that combined technology, strategy, and operational insight.

This breadth of experience allowed her to cultivate a rare blend of technical expertise and business acumen.

Colleagues describe her as someone who can “translate complex systems into human-centric solutions,” a skill that has defined much of her leadership approach.

At Pick n Pay, Kerry has overseen several initiatives that reimagined the digital shopping experience.

Under her guidance, the retailer has implemented advanced analytics to personalise customer offers, modernised online platforms, and optimised supply chain processes through digital tools.

“Our focus has always been on the customer. Every innovation we pursue is aimed at making shopping more convenient, personalised, and accessible,” van Rensburg said.

She described her leadership style as a combination of technical insight with empathy.

van Rensburg added that she encourages her teams to experiment, learn from failures, and collaborate across departments.

“She makes technology feel human. Kerry ensures every team member understands not just what we are building, but why it matters to our customers,” said one senior executive at the retail giant.

While much of her work focuses on operational transformation, van Rensburg is equally conscious of the broader impact of her leadership on South Africa’s retail technology landscape.

“Digital transformation is not just about Pick n Pay,” she said.

“It is about raising the bar for the industry, demonstrating how technology can be applied responsibly, effectively, and in a way that benefits customers.”

"There’s a real sense of responsibility knowing that decisions we make today, howwe use our data, integrate our channels and deliver value to our customers will shape the company’sdigital future," van Rensburg said. 

The company's head of digital said that digital is no longer viewed as separate function; it is now integral to how the whole business operates.

"Every campaign, product launch or customer initiative now has digital built in from the start, not added at the end. It’s about connecting data, marketing and technology to business outcomes such as growing revenue, improving loyalty, and creating better experiences for our customers," she said.

"When it changes how a business thinks, not just what tools it uses. It’s about using technology to unlock new value, understanding customers better, moving faster, and creating experiences that keep people coming back. The real magic happens when digital stops being a department and becomes part of the company’s DNA. That is when it drives real lasting growth,"van Rensburg added. 

Read the second part of van Rensburg's interview with Business Report next week.  

BUINESS REPORT