Sales Learnership Jobs at PepsiCo

📝 Overview:

PepsiCo South Africa invites applications for an exciting 12-month Sales Learnership Programme at its George DC Snacks division. This structured programme offers a rare opportunity for passionate, driven individuals looking to build a long-term career in sales, marketing, and brand management within one of the world’s most iconic FMCG companies. Through a combination of practical workplace training and theoretical education, learners will gain valuable insights into the mechanics of modern sales strategies, customer engagement, and product promotion.

The learnership is designed to provide hands-on experience and professional development across several key areas: sales operations, negotiation skills, route planning, brand activation, and customer satisfaction. Participants will work under close supervision while learning how to handle customer complaints, drive business growth, analyze market trends, and contribute to the strategic objectives of the sales team. In addition, they will gain exposure to critical aspects of logistics, product stocking, and performance reporting.

PepsiCo, home to brands like Lay’s, Simba, Doritos, and Gatorade, places great emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and empowering people. This learnership not only builds sales competency but also instills ethical business practices, health and safety awareness, and organizational discipline. For young professionals aiming to work in dynamic, growth-driven environments, this is a unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders.

Upon successful completion of the programme, learners will emerge well-equipped with the skills and qualifications necessary to transition into permanent roles in the FMCG sector. With a presence in more than 200 countries, PepsiCo offers global mobility, career progression, and a values-driven culture. This opportunity in George is perfect for candidates eager to start their sales journey and contribute meaningfully to a business that is committed to shaping a better future through sustainability and innovation.

📄 Professional Summary for CV:

A driven and results-oriented sales and marketing professional who recently completed a 12-month structured Sales Learnership Programme with PepsiCo South Africa. Demonstrated consistent achievement in customer engagement, sales target attainment, and route optimization within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. Highly capable of managing client relationships, conducting territory planning, and executing promotional strategies aligned with brand objectives. Gained significant experience working with diverse teams, analyzing route performance, and leveraging sales data to enhance customer satisfaction.

Possesses a 3-year Business or Commercial qualification, combined with practical exposure to key areas such as product stocking, stales management, and merchandising in high-volume environments. Equipped with strong interpersonal communication, negotiation, and reporting skills. Holds a valid Code 10 driver’s license and Public Driver’s Permit, enabling flexibility for mobile and field-based sales roles. Dedicated to maintaining safety and hygiene standards and upholding brand reputation by ensuring optimal use of company assets, including handheld devices, uniforms, and vehicles. Adept at balancing operational compliance with business performance and recognized for taking initiative and embracing responsibility. Eager to continue building a rewarding career in sales and marketing within the FMCG space.

Comprehensive ATS-Friendly CV Guide (2025 Edition)

🔍 Why an ATS-Friendly CV Is Critical

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by most employers to scan CVs before a hiring manager sees them. ATS systems filter out poorly formatted, vague, or non-keyworded CVs — even if the applicant is qualified. This means your CV must be optimized for both machines (ATS) and humans to increase your chances of landing interviews.

🧱 Ideal CV Structure

Use this structure for an ATS-friendly CV. Keep the layout clean, logical, and organized:

1. Header

   • Full Name

   • Mobile Number

   • Email Address

   • City & Province (e.g., Johannesburg, Gauteng)

   • Optional: LinkedIn or professional portfolio link

2. Professional Summary (3–5 lines)

   • A brief, job-specific paragraph summarizing your background, industry experience, achievements, and what makes you a strong candidate.

   • Use keywords from the job posting.

3. Core Skills

   • A bullet-point or comma-separated list of your most relevant skills (technical and soft skills).

   • Example: Customer Service, POS Systems, Time Management, Sales Target Achievement, Stock Control

4. Work Experience

   • Each role should include:

     • Job Title

     • Employer Name

     • Location (City, Province)

     • Employment Dates (Month, Year to Month, Year)

     • 3–5 achievement-focused bullet points using action verbs and quantifiable results

5. Education

   • Qualification or Degree

   • Institution Name

   • Year Completed

   • Optional: NQF Level (e.g., NQF Level 4 = Grade 12)

6. Certifications

   • Include relevant training, licenses, or compliance certificates

   • Examples: PSIRA Grade C, First Aid Level 1, Basic Computer Literacy

7. References

   • Optional: "Available upon request" is acceptable

📐 Formatting & Typography Tips

• Font Style: Use simple fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Verdana

• Font Size: 11 or 12 for body text; 14–16 for headings

• Spacing: Use single spacing with clear section breaks

• Margins: Keep standard 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins

• Length: 1 to 2 pages maximum for most jobseekers

• Bullet Points: Use standard round black bullets (•) — avoid emojis or fancy symbols

❌ Avoid These Common CV Mistakes

• Tables or columns — many ATS systems cannot read them

• CVs made in Canva or Photoshop (unless exported in a very clean text format)

• Headers or footers for important text — ATS may skip them

• Full capitalized paragraphs (e.g., DO NOT WRITE IN ALL CAPS)

• Long, dense blocks of text with no bullet points

🖼️ Should You Add a Photo?

No, unless the employer requests one. ATS systems often cannot read images, and many employers prefer CVs without photos to prevent bias. Use the space for stronger content instead.

✍️ CV Content Tips for ATS and Recruiters

Action Verbs to Start Bullet Points:

Managed, Delivered, Facilitated, Handled, Resolved, Operated, Oversaw, Supported, Achieved, Maintained, Optimized, Reported, Assisted

Industry-Specific Keywords:

Review the job ad and match these keywords naturally in your CV:

• Sales Targets

• Customer Satisfaction

• FIFO (First In First Out)

• Inventory Management

• Route Planning

• CRM Software

• Health & Safety Compliance

Use these throughout your Professional Summary, Skills, and Work Experience sections.

🧠 Core Skills Example (For Sales or General Work):

• Customer Service

• Cash Handling

• Time Management

• POS System Operation

• Conflict Resolution

• Team Collaboration

• Merchandising & Display

• Inventory Control

• Microsoft Excel & Outlook

• Verbal & Written Communication

📝 Professional Summary Example (Retail Candidate)

Example:

A motivated and detail-oriented sales assistant with over two years’ experience in the retail and FMCG industry. Proven ability to exceed sales targets, maintain excellent customer relationships, and support team operations in fast-paced environments. Skilled in POS system operation, product merchandising, and cash handling. Known for creating a positive customer experience and being a reliable team player.

Seeking to join a growth-oriented retail team where I can contribute to sales performance, customer retention, and brand loyalty. Strong interpersonal communication, a good understanding of stock rotation (FIFO), and commitment to delivering excellent service make me a valuable candidate for retail and operations roles.

🎯 Final Tips to Boost ATS Success

• Tailor your CV for each job application — don’t use one generic CV for all.

• Use real job titles (e.g., “Retail Assistant” not “Shop Floor Ninja”).

• Include job titles and industry terms found in the actual job listing.

• Keep formatting simple and test your CV using free ATS scan tools like Jobscan or Resumeworded.

• Always double-check for typos, formatting errors, or missing dates.

🎓 Minimum Requirements:

• A 3-year tertiary qualification in Business or Commercial studies

• Valid Code 10 driver’s license

• Valid Public Driver’s Permit (PDP)

• South African citizen or legally eligible to work in South Africa

💼 Key Competencies and Skills:

• Sales and negotiation

• Route planning and execution

• Customer service and complaint handling

• Marketing and brand management

• Analytical thinking and report pulling

• Product rotation (FIFO) and stock control

• Health and safety compliance

• Professional conduct and asset management

🛠️ Responsibilities:

• Complete the 12-month sales learnership with practical and theoretical training

• Achieve sales volume, revenue, and strike rate targets per AOP

• Visit 100% of customer base as per call cycle

• Drive customer satisfaction and build lasting relationships

• Manage product stales within 0.5% threshold

• Pull route reports to drive performance improvement

• Support vehicle care, mobile device usage, and safety compliance

• Promote PepsiCo products, activate brand campaigns, and close new business opportunities

📌 Important Notes:

• This is a temporary learnership position for 12 months

• Position based in George, Western Cape

• Closing Date: Open until filled

• Reference Number: 391025

• Equal opportunity employer – PepsiCo encourages all eligible candidates to apply

How To Apply:

Interested candidates should apply online via the PepsiCo careers site. Before the deadline.