SAB Sales & Marketing Learnership 2026 – Kimberley Opportunity for Graduates
Are you a recent graduate looking to launch your career in sales and marketing? The SAB Sales & Marketing Learnership 2026 offers an exciting opportunity for ambitious South African graduates to gain practical workplace experience with one of the country’s leading beverage companies. This learnership is designed to help participants develop commercial, customer service, and sales skills while working directly with tavern owners and retail customers.
If you are passionate about building relationships, enjoy working with people, and want to develop a long-term career in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, this programme could be the ideal starting point.
About the Sales & Marketing Learnership
The learnership combines structured workplace learning with practical experience in the field. Participants will work alongside experienced professionals while learning how sales, marketing, merchandising, customer service, and business development operate in a competitive commercial environment.
Successful learners will gain valuable exposure to customer engagement, sales planning, brand promotion, merchandising, and market analysis while contributing to business growth within their assigned territory.
The available opportunity is based in Kimberley (Central Region).
Programme Details
Programme: Sales & Marketing Learnership
Company: SAB
Job Type: Learnership
Location: Kimberley, Northern Cape
Region: Central – Kimberley Only
Employment Equity: Appointments will be made in line with the company’s Employment Equity Plan.
Purpose of the Learnership
The primary purpose of the programme is to equip graduates with practical sales and marketing skills while supporting sustainable business growth. Learners will help build strong relationships with customers, improve product availability, increase market share, and strengthen brand visibility within the tavern trade.
Participants will also learn how commercial decisions influence profitability and customer satisfaction while developing the professional skills required for a successful career in sales.
Key Responsibilities
Successful learners will perform a variety of customer-facing and business support activities, including:
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with tavern owners.
- Conducting regular customer visits within the allocated area.
- Identifying customer needs and recommending suitable business solutions.
- Assisting with sales growth and achieving volume targets.
- Ensuring products are available and correctly displayed.
- Supporting merchandising activities in retail outlets.
- Implementing pricing and promotional campaigns.
- Monitoring stock levels and reducing stock shortages.
- Managing refrigeration assets and other company equipment.
- Verifying customer information and maintaining accurate records.
- Supporting product quality and stock rotation.
- Monitoring competitor activities within the market.
- Working closely with supervisors to implement customer development plans.
- Completing administrative tasks accurately and on time.
Skills and Competencies
Applicants should demonstrate strong personal and professional qualities, including:
Commercial Awareness
- Understanding basic business principles.
- Interest in sales and marketing.
- Ability to recognise customer opportunities.
- Awareness of competitor activities.
- Understanding how pricing and merchandising influence business performance.
Customer Service
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build long-term customer relationships.
- Strong communication skills.
- Customer-focused attitude.
- Ability to understand customer needs and provide suitable solutions.
Accountability
Successful candidates should be able to:
- Take responsibility for their work.
- Deliver results consistently.
- Demonstrate honesty and integrity.
- Work independently when required.
- Maintain a professional attitude.
Flexibility
Applicants should be prepared to:
- Adapt to changing work environments.
- Work flexible hours when necessary.
- Work weekends and public holidays if required.
- Manage multiple priorities effectively.
Selling Skills
The programme will help learners develop:
- Negotiation skills.
- Sales planning.
- Customer engagement.
- Product presentation.
- Closing sales professionally.
- Building customer loyalty.
Planning and Organisation
Successful learners should have the ability to:
- Prioritise daily tasks.
- Manage customer visits effectively.
- Complete administrative work accurately.
- Follow sales plans consistently.
- Meet deadlines.
Customer Development Responsibilities
Participants will learn how to:
- Build long-term partnerships with customers.
- Visit customers regularly.
- Resolve customer concerns professionally.
- Meet sales and volume targets.
- Ensure customer information remains accurate.
- Improve customer satisfaction.
Merchandising and Brand Execution
Learners will also assist with:
- Product availability.
- Shelf merchandising.
- Promotional displays.
- Price communication.
- Brand visibility.
- Space management within customer outlets.
- Stock rotation and quality control.
These activities help improve customer experience while increasing product sales.
Asset Management
The programme includes practical exposure to managing company assets such as refrigeration equipment and merchandising materials.
Responsibilities may include:
- Monitoring refrigeration units.
- Conducting equipment verification.
- Ensuring products are correctly stored.
- Assisting customers with stock management.
- Maintaining company assets according to policy.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify for this learnership, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- South African Diploma or Degree.
- Valid Code 8 driver’s licence (unendorsed).
- Basic computer literacy.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Knowledge of the Kimberley area.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends where required.
- Ability to successfully complete a driver’s assessment before appointment.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is suitable for:
- Recent graduates.
- Unemployed graduates seeking workplace experience.
- Individuals interested in sales and marketing careers.
- Graduates who enjoy working with customers.
- Candidates looking to enter the FMCG industry.
- Self-motivated individuals with strong communication skills.
What You Will Learn
During the programme, participants will gain valuable experience in:
- Sales techniques.
- Customer relationship management.
- Retail merchandising.
- Commercial planning.
- Business administration.
- Market analysis.
- Negotiation.
- Communication.
- Brand management.
- Customer service.
- Time management.
- Teamwork.
- Professional workplace behaviour.
These skills are highly valued across the retail, sales, and FMCG sectors.
Documents to Prepare
Before applying, prepare the following:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Certified copy of your qualification.
- Certified copy of your South African ID.
- Valid driver’s licence.
- Academic transcript (if available).
- Any additional supporting certificates.
Ensure that all documents are clear, accurate, and up to date.
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve your chances of being shortlisted:
- Tailor your CV to highlight customer service, communication, and leadership experience.
- Include internships, volunteer work, or projects that demonstrate teamwork and problem-solving.
- Ensure your driver’s licence details are correct.
- Proofread your application before submitting it.
- Submit your application before the closing date.
Why Consider This Learnership?
Graduate learnerships provide an excellent opportunity to bridge the gap between academic study and full-time employment. Through practical workplace exposure, structured learning, and mentorship from experienced professionals, participants develop the confidence and skills needed to succeed in competitive industries.
For graduates interested in sales, customer development, and commercial operations, this programme offers valuable industry experience while opening doors to future career opportunities within the FMCG sector and beyond.
Skhumbuzo Shandu is the founder of Careers With Shandu, a platform dedicated to helping South Africans access job opportunities, learnerships, and career development resources.
He focuses on sharing clear, practical, and up-to-date information to help matriculants, graduates, and job seekers navigate applications and build their careers.
Through his work, he aims to make opportunities easier to understand and accessible to everyone, especially young people entering the workforce.
