Customer Development Intern

Colgate-Palmolive Company; Woking; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive Company offers a 12-month Customer Development internship in Woking, England, reporting to the Customer Development Manager. You’ll gain hands-on exposure to major retail accounts, sharpening core commercial strategy, negotiation, and account management while championing AI tools to optimise workflows.

You will work with CP AI tools, analyse sales data, support demand planning, and drive efficiencies across omnichannel channels, under the guidance of the commercial team.

Qualifications

• Education: University bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Data Analytics, Economics, or a related field.
• Technical & Digital Aptitude: Proficiency in numerical analysis and Microsoft Office / Google Workspace; interest in AI tools.
• Communication Skills: Proven written and verbal communication abilities with a collaborative, team-first approach.
• Commercial Curiosity: A strong passion for the FMCG industry, retail trends, and omnichannel commerce.
• Problem-Solving Mindset: Proactive and self-motivated approach to identifying operational efficiencies and presenting fact-based solutions.
• Agile Leadership: Eagerness to act as an AI ambassador, driving capability building and tech adoption across broader business teams.

Responsibilities

• Champion AI and digital enablement across Customer Development.
• Support joint business planning, promo tracking, and updating master data.
• Analyze EPOS tracking and sales data to support monthly demand forecasting.
• Process invoices, resolve trade spend queries, and partner cross-functionally.
• Prepare data-driven insights and presentation materials for retailer meetings.

Skills

Numerical analysis

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Commercial curiosity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Data Analytics, Economics or related field

Tools

Atlas

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

No Relocation Assistance Offered

Job Number #175782 - Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specialising 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.

Report to: Customer Development Manager

Location: Woking, UK

Duration: 12 months

Salary Grade: Intern £24300 - £27000

Colgate-Palmolive is a truly global, industry-leading Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company. We lead markets with our diverse portfolio, ranging from our iconic Colgate Toothpastes to our beloved Sanex and Palmolive body care products. We are committed to reimagining a healthier future for all people and the planet, and we are accelerating our digital transformation, leveraging cutting-edge technology, including AI, across our operations.

As a Customer Development Intern at Colgate-Palmolive based in Woking, you will report to a Customer Development Manager and play a pivotal role within our dynamic commercial team. This exciting 12-month placement offers direct hands-on exposure to major retail accounts, allowing you to develop core commercial strategy, negotiation, and account management skills. As an AI and digital ambassador for the team, you will champion the adoption of cutting-edge AI tools to optimize account mechanics and drive commercial efficiencies. By bridging commercial support with digital innovation, you will deliver immediate value to business growth while building a strong foundation for a future commercial career.

• Drive AI & Digital Enablement: Be a champion of AI at CP with adoption of CP AI tools across the Customer Development team, embedding digital workflows to automate administrative reporting and optimize day-to-day account management processes.
• Support Commercial & Account Management: Assist Customer Development Managers with joint business planning, tracking promotional performance, and updating master account data to drive brand presence across omnichannel channels.
• Execute Demand Planning & Analytics: Analyze EPOS tracking and sales data using internal tools (such as Atlas) to support accurate monthly demand forecasting and commercial diagnostics.
• Manage Operational Excellence: Process invoices, resolve trade spend queries, and partner cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Digital, and Shopper Marketing teams to ensure seamless new product launches.
• Strengthen Stakeholder & Retailer Relationships: Prepare data-driven insights and presentation materials for key retailer meetings, building foundational skills in external negotiation and commercial influence.

To be considered for this internship, you must meet the following criteria:

• Education: University bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Data Analytics, Economics, or a related field.
• Technical & Digital Aptitude: Demonstrated proficiency in numerical analysis and Microsoft Office / Google Workspace, alongside a strong interest in leveraging emerging AI tools and digital technologies.
• Communication Skills: Proven written and verbal communication abilities with a collaborative, team-first approach.
• Commercial Curiosity: A strong passion for the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, retail trends, and omnichannel commerce.
• Problem-Solving Mindset: Proactive and self-motivated approach to identifying operational efficiencies and presenting fact-based solutions.
• Agile Leadership: Eagerness to act as an AI ambassador, driving capability building and tech adoption across broader business teams.

Career Pathway

• Customer Development Executive (CDE)
• Commercial Operations / Analytics Specialist
• eCommerce / Shopper Marketing Specialist

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, colour, 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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