Job Description

Established in 1806 as a small soap and candle business in New York City, Colgate-Palmolive is now a truly global company with products sold in over 200 countries and territories under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom's of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, Haci Sakir, Suavitel, PCA SKIN, EltaMD, Filorga and Hello as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet.

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading consumer products company that serves hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide with brands and products across four core businesses – Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. We are committed to offering products that make lives healthier and more enjoyable, and programs that enrich communities around the world.

Every day millions of people trust our products to care for themselves and the ones they love. Our goal is to use our technology to create products that will continue to improve the quality of life for our consumers wherever they live.

A career at Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.

Information at a Glance
Job Title:  CD Sales Intern -Kenya
Travel Required?:  Travel - 75% of time or more
Posting Start Date:  7/29/26
Hybrid

No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number #175283 - Nairobi, Nairobi Municipality, Kenya

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

 

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.

What We Offer
As part of the Colgate-Palmolive Early Career Talent Programme, you will benefit from:
● Meaningful business exposure.
● Mentorship from experienced leaders.
● Structured learning and development.
● Real ownership of business projects.
● Cross-functional collaboration.
● A supportive and inclusive work environment.
● Opportunities for future career growth based on performance.


Our Commitment to Inclusion
Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives  to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.



Equal Opportunity Employer
Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

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