Leadership Development Sales Associate

Pepsi Bottling Ventures; Harrisburg (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(k) match

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Education assistance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Parental leave

Job summary

Pepsi Bottling Ventures looks for ambitious graduates to join the Ascend Leadership Development Sales Associate Program in the Carolinas. You will rotate across sales and operations, learn the business, and prepare for supervisory roles in NC/SC markets.

The immersive 18–24 month program develops leadership, commercial execution, and customer engagement, with a path toward Territory Sales Manager or Key Account Manager. Starting salary varies by location and includes strong benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field (required)
• Prior sales, customer service, or leadership experience—internships welcome
• Demonstrated leadership through extracurricular involvement
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills
• Ability to meet driving qualifications (CDL A or B may be required)
• Willingness to relocate following program completion
• Ability to work necessary hours, including occasional weekends/holidays
• Authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future

Responsibilities

• Engage in a structured rotation across multiple departments to gain a full understanding of PBV’s sales and operational ecosystem.
• Complete manager-guided curriculum designed to strengthen your business acumen and leadership skills.
• Build competencies in sales strategy, customer service, route operations, product management, and commercial execution.
• Take on real supervisory responsibilities as you progress through the program.
• Utilize tools and technologies including computers, handheld systems, pallet jacks, route trucks, and more.
• Travel across training locations (approximately 30%) to support learning and development.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/marketing or related field

Job description

Unbottle YOUR Potential at Pepsi Bottling Ventures! At Pepsi, we spread home‑grown joy in our special PBV way! Pepsi Bottling Ventures is the nation’s largest private bottler and distributor of Pepsi beverages. It is based in NC, SC, MD, & DE.

Application Instructions Current PBV employees: login to Workday to complete the application. Non‑employees: click “Apply” and complete job application.

Job Description Pepsi Bottling Ventures is seeking a Leadership Development Sales Associate to join our team!

Who We Are

We are jointly owned by Suntory and PepsiCo. Suntory is a family‑owned business founded in Japan more than 125 years ago that is known globally for their beverages and innovative spirit. PepsiCo has a 125‑year plus legacy as a global leader in convenient foods and beverages. We represent Suntory’s non‑alcoholic beverage industry in the United States and have an 80‑year plus legacy of providing PepsiCo products to the Carolinas and beyond.

What We Do

We make, sell, and distribute PepsiCo and other beverages. We do business in five states and sell PepsiCo beverages to most of the market in our geographic regions. We also develop our own line of beverages, producing and distributing a growing product line nationally.

What Makes Us Unique

We bring you the beverages you love. We bring PepsiCo’s beloved beverages and more to you and our customers. As a part of Suntory, we believe in dreaming big and boldly pursuing our dreams, growing for good, and giving back to society. We innovate to create new beverages, like our Nature’s Twist refreshing lemonade line, and we continuously expand our beverage portfolio to bring you and our customers joy.

What We Look For In Team Members

We value integrity, teamwork, accountability, creativity, and communication in all we do and expect the same from all team members.

Leadership Development Sales Associate

Role Overview

• Start Date: September 2026 | Two Positions Available
• Primary Locations: Myrtle Beach, SC & Charlotte, NC
• Rotation Locations: Raleigh, NC; St. Pauls, NC; Winston‑Salem, NC

Are you ready to launch a high‑impact career with one of the region’s most dynamic beverage organizations? The PBV Ascend Leadership Development Sales Associate Program is designed for ambitious emerging leaders who are eager to learn the business, grow rapidly, and make a real difference. This 18–24‑month immersive development experience will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and leadership capabilities needed to step into key roles such as Territory Sales Manager, Food Service Representative, or Key Account Manager. Upon successful completion, candidates will be assigned a supervisory‑level position in one of our NC/SC territories.

Day‑to‑Day Responsibilities

• Engage in a structured rotation across multiple departments to gain a full understanding of PBV’s sales and operational ecosystem.
• Complete manager‑guided curriculum designed to strengthen your business acumen and leadership skills.
• Build competencies in sales strategy, customer service, route operations, product management, and commercial execution.
• Take on real supervisory responsibilities as you progress through the program.
• Utilize tools and technologies including computers, handheld systems, pallet jacks, route trucks, and more.
• Travel across training locations (approximately 30%) to support learning and development.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field (required)
• Prior sales, customer service, or leadership experience—internships welcome
• Demonstrated leadership through extracurricular involvement
• Strong problem‑solving, communication, and analytical skills
• Ability to meet driving qualifications (may include obtaining a CDL A or B)
• Willingness to relocate following program completion
• Ability to work necessary hours, including occasional weekends/holidays
• Authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future

Physical And Mental Requirements

• Active engagement in a variety of work environments
• Frequent walking, standing, and sitting
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and maneuver heavy pallets with provided equipment
• High attention to detail and continuous mental alertness

Program Locations

You’ll be primarily assigned to one of the following locations: Myrtle Beach, SC; Charlotte, NC. You’ll also rotate periodically through Raleigh, NC; St. Pauls, NC; Winston‑Salem, NC. This mobility is key to developing a well‑rounded understanding of PBV’s multi‑market operations.

Why Join the PBV Ascend Program?

• Fast‑track development into leadership roles
• Deep exposure to sales, operations, and customer engagement
• Support from seasoned Organizational Development Trainers and leadership mentors
• The opportunity to truly own your development and accelerate your career

Compensation And Benefits

• Starting salary for this position is set based on location, confirmed job‑related skills, experience, and education. Your recruiter will share more about the specific pay range for this position during the interview process.
• As part of your total compensation package, you will also receive the following benefits:
• Paid time off, including holidays, vacation days, personal days, parental leave, and bereavement leave
• 401(k) with a company match
• Medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance options, as well as supplemental health plan options, including accident, critical illness, and hospitalization
• Saving and spending accounts
• Company‑paid telemedicine services
• Free counseling and information services
• Wellness program
• Company‑paid life insurance
• Company‑paid disability coverage
• Adoption assistance
• Education assistance
• Legal service plan option
• Pay advance option

Unfortunately, we will be unable to offer visa sponsorships to candidates.

EOE M/F/D/V
Pepsi Bottling Ventures is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. All employment decisions are based on valid job‑related requirements. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening. You can request reasonable accommodation by calling 1-800-662-8792 or via e-mail at [e-mail]