SAB Sales & Marketing Learnership
Are you a young South African looking for an opportunity to gain valuable experience in sales and marketing? A Sales & Marketing Learnership opportunity with South African Breweries (SAB) is available for applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements and are interested in developing their commercial, customer-service and sales skills.
The opportunity is listed for South Africa – Central Region, Kimberley, and is focused on developing practical skills in sales, customer development, merchandising, marketing execution and relationship management.
SAB is looking for individuals who are passionate, curious, adaptable and willing to work directly with customers. The role provides exposure to the commercial side of the business, particularly within the tavern customer channel.
About the SAB Sales & Marketing Learnership
The Sales & Marketing Learnership is designed around practical commercial activities. The successful candidate will work with customers, support sales plans, monitor product availability and assist with the execution of merchandising, pricing, promotions and space initiatives.
The position requires someone who can work independently while also collaborating with the sales team. Because the role involves visiting customer outlets and managing relationships, applicants should be comfortable working in a customer-facing environment.
The advertised job requisition number is 30079547.
The position is listed under:
- Job Title: Sales & Marketing Learnership
- Company: South African Breweries (SAB)
- Region: Central
- Location: Kimberley
- Country: South Africa
- Job Requisition ID: 30079547
- Qualification: Diploma or Degree
- Driver’s Licence: Valid, unendorsed Code 8 driver’s licence required
- Computer Skills: Basic computer literacy and Microsoft Office experience
- Working Hours: Flexible, including weekends and public holidays when required
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should carefully check the minimum requirements before applying.
SAB states that applicants must have a Diploma or Degree. The advert also requires a valid, unendorsed Code 8 driver’s licence.
Basic computer literacy is required, together with experience using Microsoft Office.
Another important requirement is local area knowledge. Since the position is based in Kimberley and involves working with customers and visiting outlets, applicants should have a good understanding of the local area.
Candidates must also be prepared to work in a flexible environment. This may include working on weekends and public holidays, depending on business requirements.
Applicants will also be required to successfully complete a driver’s assessment test to demonstrate driving competency before appointment.
Main Purpose of the Position
The main purpose of the role is to help implement a market-driven service that supports sustainable competitiveness and growth within the tavern customer channel.
The position combines sales, marketing, customer relationship management and in-trade execution.
The successful candidate will contribute towards objectives such as:
- Building strong customer relationships
- Increasing sales volumes
- Supporting market-share growth
- Improving brand equity
- Ensuring product availability
- Executing merchandising activities
- Supporting pricing and promotional campaigns
- Maintaining customer information
- Managing SAB assets at customer outlets
- Monitoring competitor activity
- Supporting customer satisfaction and loyalty
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to candidates who want to build a career in sales, marketing, customer development or commercial operations.
Commercial Aptitude
A major part of the position involves understanding how sales and marketing work together.
The successful candidate should understand the value chain across sales and marketing and how different commercial functions interact.
Applicants should also be able to identify competitor information and use relevant market knowledge when performing sales activities.
An understanding of profitability is important as well. This includes recognising the role that pricing, product mix and merchandising play in making commercially informed decisions.
The role therefore requires more than simply selling products. Candidates are expected to understand customers, the market and the commercial factors that influence sales performance.
Customer Focus
Customer relationships are central to the position.
The successful candidate will interact with tavern owners and other customers and will be expected to develop productive, professional relationships.
Important customer-focused abilities include:
- Understanding customer needs
- Responding effectively to customer concerns
- Taking responsibility for customer satisfaction
- Building customer loyalty
- Developing strong relationships
- Communicating effectively with different types of customers
- Working with customers on plans and decisions
- Building trust and rapport
Candidates should be comfortable communicating with people from diverse backgrounds.
Accountability
SAB is looking for people who take responsibility for their work and results.
Applicants should have a strong achievement orientation and be prepared to take ownership of their responsibilities.
Integrity is also important because the successful candidate will represent SAB when dealing with customers and managing company assets.
The role requires professionalism and accountability in day-to-day customer and sales activities.
Flexibility and Resilience
Sales work can involve changing circumstances and demanding schedules.
Candidates should therefore be able to adapt their behaviour and priorities when circumstances change.
The advert specifically highlights the need for flexibility and the ability to work weekends and public holidays when required.
Applicants should also have the resilience and endurance required to manage flexible working hours and customer-facing responsibilities.
Sales Skills
The Sales & Marketing Learnership involves developing and applying selling skills.
The successful candidate will be expected to identify customer needs and opportunities, explain the value offered by SAB, represent the company’s capabilities and work towards closing sales.
Good communication is essential.
The candidate should be able to establish rapport with customers, understand their needs and gain commitment using appropriate communication techniques.
Planning is also important because sales activities need to be organised and prioritised effectively.
Planning and Organisation
The successful candidate will work with the sales lead to develop plans based on customer needs and SAB’s value proposition.
Attention to detail will be important because plans need to be implemented correctly and consistently.
The candidate will also need strong administrative skills to maintain customer information, record activities and support the sales process.
Good organisation can help ensure that customer visits, sales activities and promotional initiatives are completed effectively.
Customer Development
One of the key responsibilities is to manage and develop relationships with tavern owners.
The successful candidate will be expected to conduct regular customer calls and build effective partnerships.
The role includes working towards weekly customer engagement and resolving customer-related issues.
Customer master data must also be kept accurate and up to date.
The candidate will work towards achieving customer sales and volume targets and ensuring that outlets consistently purchase directly from SAB.
Merchandising, Pricing, Promotions and Space
The role includes responsibilities covering availability, merchandising, pricing, promotions and space.
The successful candidate will monitor volumes at customer outlets and work towards ensuring the availability of key brands and product packs.
Forward planning will be important to help prevent stock shortages.
Stock rotation must also be managed to maintain product availability and quality.
The candidate will support the implementation of merchandising activities in customer outlets in accordance with SAB’s applicable in-trade execution guidelines.
The position also involves supporting price communication and promotional campaigns.
This may include monitoring prices, communicating promotional priorities and ensuring that agreed price points and campaigns are implemented correctly.
Managing Customer Outlets
The successful candidate will monitor customer outlets and help maintain effective product positioning.
This includes tracking competitive shelf space and volumes sold.
The objective is to support effective brand positioning and contribute to volume growth.
Outlet retention is also part of the responsibilities, meaning the candidate will work towards maintaining strong and consistent customer relationships.
Asset Management
The position includes responsibility for SAB assets located at customer outlets.
The successful candidate will help manage refrigeration assets and support governance and compliance requirements.
Other responsibilities may include managing permanent merchandising materials and signage.
Candidates will need to ensure that SAB products are stocked in refrigerators according to the applicable execution guidelines.
Asset verification surveys may also be conducted for equipment such as fridges.
The role further involves helping customers use stock-management systems to support replenishment and reduce stock-outs.
Stock rotation and product quality must also be monitored.
Skills That Can Be Developed
A learnership of this nature can provide practical exposure to several areas of business.
Depending on the training and responsibilities assigned, candidates can develop experience in:
- Sales
- Marketing
- Customer service
- Customer relationship management
- Merchandising
- Product availability
- Promotional execution
- Pricing
- Commercial planning
- Administration
- Microsoft Office
- Stock management
- Asset management
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Negotiation
- Business development
These skills can be useful for individuals interested in pursuing future opportunities within sales, marketing and commercial environments.
Minimum Requirements
Before applying, candidates should make sure that they meet the requirements listed in the advert.
The minimum requirements include:
1. Diploma or Degree
Applicants must have a Diploma or Degree.
2. Valid Code 8 Driver’s Licence
A valid, unendorsed Code 8 driver’s licence is required.
3. Basic Computer Literacy
Candidates should have basic computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office.
4. Local Area Knowledge
Knowledge of the local area is required because the role involves customer and outlet activities.
5. Flexible Working
Candidates must be able to work in a flexible environment, including weekends where required.
6. Driver Assessment
Successful candidates must complete a driver’s assessment test and demonstrate the required driving competency before appointment.
Location: Kimberley
The advertised region is Central – Kimberley ONLY.
Applicants should therefore pay close attention to the location before submitting an application. Although the job portal may display South Africa as the default location, the additional information in the advert identifies the position as being for the Central region and specifically Kimberley.
What Kind of Candidate Is SAB Looking For?
The advert describes a candidate who is passionate, curious, adaptable and committed to achieving results.
The position is particularly suited to someone who enjoys working with people and is comfortable spending time in a customer-facing environment.
A candidate should be able to communicate professionally, identify customer needs, solve problems and organise daily activities.
Because the position involves sales targets and customer development, applicants should also be comfortable working towards measurable business objectives.
Working With Customers
Customer interaction is one of the biggest components of the role.
The successful candidate may spend significant time engaging with tavern owners and helping them address business and product-related needs.
Building trust is important because strong customer relationships can support consistent business activity.
The candidate will also need to understand the customer’s environment and identify opportunities to improve product availability, merchandising and sales execution.
Problem-Solving
Sales environments do not always go according to plan.
Products may become unavailable, customer concerns may arise, competitors may change their activities or promotional execution may require adjustments.
The successful candidate should therefore be capable of identifying issues and resolving problems in the moment where possible.
Being adaptable and remaining professional when circumstances change will be important.
Equal Opportunity
SAB states that it is an equal opportunity employer and that appointments will be made in accordance with its employment equity plan and talent requirements.
The company also notes that the advertised minimum requirements are not necessarily the only information that may be considered during recruitment. Management reserves the right to use additional relevant information when shortlisting candidates.
How to Prepare Your Application
Applicants should make sure their CV clearly presents their qualifications, driver’s licence and relevant skills.
A good CV should include:
- Full name and contact details
- Educational qualifications
- Diploma or Degree details
- Driver’s licence information
- Computer skills
- Microsoft Office experience
- Sales or customer-service experience, where applicable
- Communication skills
- Any relevant work experience
- Current location
- References, if appropriate
Candidates should ensure that all information provided is accurate.
Important Things to Remember
Before applying, make sure you understand the nature of the position.
This is a customer-facing sales and marketing opportunity, rather than a purely office-based role. The position involves customer visits, outlet management, merchandising, sales activities and asset management.
A valid driver’s licence is therefore an important requirement.
Applicants should also be comfortable with flexible working arrangements, including weekends and public holidays when required.
Most importantly, candidates should verify the current status of the vacancy on the official SAB careers platform before submitting personal information, particularly because the listing indicates that it was posted more than 30 days ago.
Final Summary
The SAB Sales & Marketing Learnership offers an opportunity for suitably qualified candidates to gain practical exposure to sales, marketing, customer development and commercial operations.
The position is listed for Kimberley in the Central region and requires a Diploma or Degree, a valid unendorsed Code 8 driver’s licence, basic computer literacy and Microsoft Office experience.
The successful candidate will work with tavern customers, support sales targets, monitor product availability, execute merchandising and promotional activities, manage customer relationships and assist with SAB asset management.
Applicants should also be prepared for flexible working arrangements, including weekends and public holidays when required, and must successfully complete a driver’s assessment test before appointment.
If you meet the listed requirements and are interested in developing practical experience in sales and marketing, review the official vacancy information carefully and submit your application through the appropriate SAB recruitment channel.