Commercial Graduate Trainee

  • Full Time
  • Lusaka, Zambia
  • Applications have closed

Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia

Job Description

Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia represents the world’s most cherished trademark and invests in the most exciting events. We are inviting applications from young ambitious and highly motivated graduates to undergo an intensive graduate training program.

The Graduate Trainee Program is designed to give the successful graduates hands-on training in the Sales and Marketing unit. The candidates will be exposed to learning opportunities with an aim of building their competencies, skills and knowledge in the sales and marketing department with the ultimate view of preparing them for future roles in the business based on performance. The graduate trainees will be required to undergo intensive Development programs for 18 months.

Successful candidates will rotate in General Trade; Key Accounts and Trade Marketing

Key Duties & Responsibilities

General Trade

Market and sell all company products by establishing contact and developing relationships with customers and recommending solutions
Ensure daily market coverage, product presence and visibility in Chain stores, Supermarkets, and other outlets.
Ensure achievement of sales and collection targets on a daily basis.
Ensure total adherence to all daily reports used in sales and marketing.
Drive the continuous development of new markets
Maintain contact with all clients in the designated areas and ensure high level of client satisfaction and retention.
Participate in all sales activities required by the Management e.g. sampling activities and promotions
Prepare weekly/ monthly statistical reports comparing targets set against targets achieved
Prepare and submit weekly/monthly reports detailing progress against targets

Trade Marketing

Develop and deploy marketing plans on an annual basis
Develop weekly and monthly activation reports
Scan the environment for trends (Pricing, New Products and promotions).
Develop and execute marketing and business strategies and integrated programs that maximize profitable recurring volume growth and increase the long term value of our brands.
Support the development and deployment of marketing communication and lead the development of Below the Line communication objectives ensuring alignment with overall Coca Cola marketing communications.
Support the collection of quantitative and qualitative feedback on Point Of Sale Material placements from the sales teams for analysis
Support the timely distribution of Point Of Sale Materials and assets; ensuring that the mandatory quantity and quality conditions are met.
Ensure that the Point Of Sale Materials quality and quantity claims are resolved on time.
Ensure that data about CCBZ and competitors Point of Sale Materials and assets are collected and reported to the Trade Marketing Manager.
Ensure Point of sale materials and assets functionalities are aligned with channel and brand strategy prior to production processes.
Ensure that purchase orders for Point Of Sale Materials and Traded Marketing assets are launched to suppliers in good time to enable enough delivery time for an opportune market placement.
Support the designing and implementation of promotional plans and strategies by channel and regions
Carry out marketing intelligence such as price surveys, competitor’s activities and identifying opportunities

Key Accounts

Identify growth and profit opportunities
Contribute in meeting sales targets by ensuring product availability, price conformance and monitor stores performance.
Manage orders and availability of new SKU listings.
Negotiate permanent, promotional and ad hoc space with customers
Attend frequent trade visits to customer stores.
Interact with all key contacts within the store.
Keep up to date customers and outlets information and ensure concerns are attended to independently and promptly.
Manage best before dates in the store to avoid unnecessary losses
Market and sell all company products by establishing contact and developing relationships with customers and recommending solutions
Ensure daily market coverage, product presence and visibility in Chain stores, Supermarkets, and other outlets.
Manage point of sale materials in various stores and maintain the company’s corporate image.
Ensure achievement of sales and collection targets on a daily basis.
Ensure total adherence to all daily reports used in sales and marketing.
Drive the continuous development of new markets
Maintain contact with all clients in the designated areas and ensure high level of client satisfaction and retention.
Participate in all sales activities required by the Management e.g. sampling activities and promotions
Provide market intelligence
Prepare and submit weekly/monthly reports detailing progress against targets.

Skills, Experience & Education

Must have a Degree in either one of the following disciplines with a Merit or better in Sales and Marketing, Business Administration or its equivalent
Must be a recent graduate from the University within the past 3 years (2019 – 2021)
GCE O Level certificate holder with a merit in both English and Mathematics
Excellent analytical skills with sound understanding and application of business concepts
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Highly adaptable and have the ability to handle conflicts
Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player
Excellent negotiation and presentation skills
Must not be more than 30 years old
Be enthusiastic and willing to learn
Strong level of analytical skills and computer literacy.
Experience in working in FMCG is an added advantage

Additional Requirement*

Women are encouraged to apply.


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