Early Careers - Sales Programme | Danone in London

Early Careers - Sales Programme | Danone in London

London Full-Time 45000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Danone

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our Sales team to drive growth and build relationships with customers.
  • Company: Danone, a leader in food and drink brands, values your input and career growth.
  • Benefits: Starting salary of £35,000, bi-annual reviews, 25 days leave, and more perks!
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse community with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Gain hands-on experience and develop skills in a dynamic, supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: No degree or experience needed; just bring your positive attitude and analytical skills.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.

At Danone, you’re not just early talent; you’re just in time to take ownership of your career and be empowered to make a difference. Would you like to join a team where you can help grow some of the UK's most loved food and drink brands?

Our Sales team are on a mission to grow our categories, strengthen customer partnerships, and unlock opportunities that create value for shoppers, customers and Danone. Join us on our two-year Sales programme and gain valuable experience, building a solid foundation for your future career whilst earning a starting salary of £35,000!

What can I expect on the programme?

Our Sales team sits at the heart of Danone's commercial business, working with customers and internal teams to drive growth across our categories. Combining customer relationships, commercial thinking and data-driven insights, the team helps shape strategies that deliver value for shoppers, customers and Danone.

On our two-year Sales programme, you’ll gain hands-on experience in two key areas:

  • National Account Executive: Support the day-to-day management of customer accounts, deliver promotional and customer activation plans, analyse sales performance, and work with a range of stakeholders to help drive profitable growth.
  • Category Executive: Use shopper, customer and market data to develop insights and recommendations, support range reviews, build compelling selling stories, and identify opportunities to grow Danone's categories with customers.

You’ll spend one year in each team, swapping at the halfway point, so you’ll build a broad skillset and see the full scope of Sales at Danone. Along the way, you’ll work with colleagues across the business, develop your project management and communication skills.

What will you do day-to-day?

  • Work with internal teams and external customers to deliver commercial projects and support business growth.
  • Analyse sales, shopper and category data to identify insights and opportunities that support decision-making.
  • Support customer activations, promotional campaigns and range review activities across a variety of customers and categories.
  • Build strong relationships with stakeholders, influencing and collaborating to deliver successful outcomes.
  • Present recommendations and insights clearly, helping turn data into actions that drive growth.

What do we look for?

You don’t need a degree or work experience to apply for our Early Careers programme. Our roles are designed to empower you on your professional journey, ensuring you have the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in your chosen career.

Showcase how you:

  • Stay positive during change, persevere and overcome challenges.
  • Draw accurate conclusions from data, conduct precise analysis, and quickly grasp new concepts.
  • Anticipate future developments, evaluate information critically, and recognise innovative opportunities.
  • Communicate effectively to others to ensure clear understanding and that appropriate actions are taken, enabling you to deliver.

What do we offer?

As well as a starting salary of £35,000, if you’re motivated to deliver high performance, we’ll recognise your hard work with bi-annual salary reviews. You’ll also enjoy a range of benefits, including:

  • A blend of classroom and on-the-job training, progressing to a manager level within 2 years.
  • Achieve work/life balance by aligning business needs with personal commitments, with key moments spent at your local office hub.
  • Dedicated volunteering time to give back to your local community.
  • Additionally, you'll receive 25 days of annual leave with the option of buying up to 5 more days, £150 of Danone products per year, access to local gyms and much more!

At the start of your Danone journey, you'll be part of a growing early talent community. We’ll provide high-quality learning and development support, fostering personal growth and deepening your understanding of the Danone ecosystem. You'll receive continuous feedback to help you stretch your boundaries, cultivate self-awareness, and gauge your progress.

DEI is deeply embedded in Danone's DNA, representing our core values and beliefs. We embrace diversity as a driving force for positive change, nurturing an inclusive workplace where every individual is valued. You can join any of our seven Employee Network Groups (ENGs); Pride (LGBTQ+), Unity (Ethnicity, Culture and Faith), DanoneEnable (Accessibility), DanoneCare (Carers), WINGs (Women’s Wellbeing & Empowerment), Danone Parents and BeWell (Health & Wellbeing). Our ENGs provide guidance, share knowledge, and raise cultural awareness, connecting employees from diverse backgrounds while offering educational resources, personal growth opportunities, and platforms for idea sharing.

What comes next?

The role closes on 16th August. Our Early Careers team will be in touch shortly to discuss the next steps. You can learn more about each stage and what to expect on our careers website.

Key Dates to consider

Our assessment centres are expected to take place the week commencing 14th September. You must be available to start on 19th October.

Want to stay in touch? Head over to our careers website or follow us on social media to discover Life at Danone.

TikTok: @LifeAtDanoneUKI

Instagram: @DanoneUKICareers

Early Careers - Sales Programme | Danone in London employer: Danone

At Danone, we pride ourselves on being a purpose-led employer that champions health and sustainability. Our Finance Business Partner role offers not only competitive salaries and flexible benefits but also a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and continuous learning. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we provide ample opportunities for professional growth in a supportive environment, making Danone an exceptional place to advance your career in finance.

Danone

Contact Details:

Danone Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Early Careers - Sales Programme | Danone in London

Leverage Your Network

In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!

Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results

When targeting a full-time role like Early Careers - Sales Programme | Danone at Danone, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!

Engage with Sales Communities

Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.

Direct Applications Matter

While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Danone. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Early Careers - Sales Programme | Danone. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!

We think you need these skills to ace Early Careers - Sales Programme | Danone in London

Customer Relationship Management
Commercial Thinking
Data Analysis
Sales Performance Analysis
Promotional Campaign Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!

Tailor Your Message for Danone:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Danone. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!

Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!

Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!

How to prepare for a job interview at Danone

Know Your Sales Methodologies

Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Danone that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.

Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills

Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Danone that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.

Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios

In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!

Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision

Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Danone’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.