CD Sales Intern -Kenya at Colgate-Palmolive

Position Summary

• We are looking for a highly motivated Sales Intern to join our Customer Development team in Kenya.
• This role is designed for individuals who aspire to build a long-term career in sales and commercial leadership within the FMCG industry. The intern will gain hands-on exposure to customer development, route-to-market execution, distributor operations, retail excellence, commercial analytics, and strategic business planning.
• The successful candidate should be curious, resilient, commercially minded, and excited by working in dynamic market environments across Kenya.

What You Will Learn

• Throughout the internship you will develop practical experience in:Customer Development and Commercial Strategy
• Distributor and Retail Operations
• Sales Analytics and Business Performance
• Shopper and Consumer Insights

Key Account Management

• Territory Planning
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Leadership and Professional Development

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Excellence

• Support execution of sales strategies that drive sustainable business growth.
• Analyze sales performance and identify commercial opportunities.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and customer insights.
• Prepare reports and business recommendations for the commercial team.

Customer & Market Exposure

• Participate in customer visits alongside Customer Development Managers.
• Gain first-hand exposure to modern trade, general trade, and distributor operations.
• Build an understanding of retail execution and customer relationships.

Business Projects

• Lead or support strategic improvement projects within the Customer Development function.
• Present recommendations based on market analysis and business insights.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Finance, Customer Service & Logistics, and Supply Chain.

Learning & Development

• Participate in structured learning sessions and coaching.
• Receive mentorship from experienced commercial leaders.
• Demonstrate continuous learning and ownership of your development plan.

What We’re Looking For
We are looking for individuals who demonstrate:
A genuine passion for building a career in Sales and Commercial Leadership.

• High levels of initiative and self-motivation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Learning agility and curiosity.
• Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• A growth mindset and willingness to receive feedback.
• Integrity and accountability.
• Ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams.
• Willingness to travel and work in different locations across Kenya as business needs require.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or final-year student) in Business, Marketing, Economics, Finance,Statistics, or a related field.
• Strong academic performance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Previous leadership experience through student organizations, entrepreneurship,community initiatives, or internships is an added advantage.