Coca-Cola Unemployed Learner Visual Merchandiser: A Gateway to Commercial Excellence
Undoubtedly, the Coca-Cola Unemployed Learner Visual Merchandiser learnership programmes offered by Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) is a fantastic starting point for aspiring South African professionals looking to enter the fields of sales, marketing, and retail execution. This learnership, which is open until March 31, 2026 (CCB260121-3), is structured to help unemployed individuals attain a combination of theoretical and practical workplace exposure, which would assist them, in their long-term career progression in the commercial field.
The primary focus of the Unemployed Learner Visual Merchandiser program is skill enhancement that contributes to the overall growth of the business. Participants are given the opportunity to work in real business settings where they assist customers and work to raise product sales by applying their merchandising skills. This program is categorized under Commercial – Sales and Marketing, and given that it is offered throughout South Africa, it offers an opportunity for participants from a wide variety of locations.
Purpose of the Role
The purpose of the learnership is to create a structured, work-based learning framework to strengthen participants’ commercial appreciation and operational capacity. Learners are equipped to service both direct and indirect customers in an assigned area. Consequently, they acquire priceless understanding of how a globally recognized company, Coca-Cola, administers its route-to-market policies, as well as customer management and in-store execution.
The position reports directly to the Account Developer, so there is a structured path of learning for each participant regarding mentoring, feedback on performance, and standards of safety and operations. This high level of oversight supports the learners in understanding the complete sales cycle and how to synchronize their daily routine with the company’s broader goals.
Interaction and Collaboration
The uniqueness of the program is characterized by the level of interaction. Internally, participants are in direct contact with all members of the sales team, especially when executing collaborative tasks, exchanging ideas, and mentoring each other on the different work streams. Externally, they interact with customers in order to comprehend their buying patterns and preferences. This contact aids participants to understand how merchandising choices affect customer behavior and loyalty to the brand.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The Unemployed Learner Visual Merchandiser participates in in-store execution and merchandising quality. Learners execute daily call schedules in bronze and tin outlets, to achieve set goals. They ensure adherence to visual merchandising standards, correct stock rotation, and the upkeep of Coca-Cola compliant in-store merchandising.
Ensuring that quality, availability, and visibility of stock are fundamental to the role. Learners utilize the RED and the execution scorecard standards, and complete the iRED survey to track their performance. They assist customers in placing orders using the MyCCBA platform to optimize the ordering system and enhance customer satisfaction. Moreover, learners participate in additional brand-building advertising and perform relief duties as directed by management.
Skills, Experience, and Eligibility
Applicants must have completed Grade 12 with passing grades of 40% or more in Mathematics or Maths Literacy, English, and a paired language of communication, and must be South African, aged 18 to 35, and unemployed at the point of recruitment. Applicants should be prepared to work six days a week. The Employment Equity candidates are encouraged to apply.
Applicants are subject to verification checks, thus, must have a clean criminal and credit record. A driver’s licence is not mandatory, but it may be needed depending on the assigned store. Additionally, applicants must not be registered for any other learnership or full-time study, and should not have previously obtained the same qualification. A post-matric qualification in Sales and Marketing is viewed as a plus.
Application and Qualification Criteria
Learners must accumulate at least 120 credits in a 12-month timeframe to qualify. Candidates must provide a comprehensive CV, certified copies of their matric certificate and other qualifications, and a driver’s licence if applicable. Additional shortlisting criteria may be instituted at the discretion of management.
How to Apply
The Coca-Cola Unemployed Learner Visual Merchandiser learnership is not merely a training programme; it is an entry point into the exciting field of sales and merchandising. This is a fantastic opportunity for young unemployed people who are eager to obtain their first work experience with a leading global company and develop a solid career for themselves.
