Customer Services Intern

Symrise AG; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 67,000 - 112,000; Part time

Job summary

Symrise South Africa is recruiting for a Customer Service Intern to provide administrative and operational support to the Customer Service team. The role offers practical exposure to sales order management and Order-to-Cash processes within a manufacturing setting.

You will work with Sales, Planning, Production, Procurement, Warehouse, Logistics, Quality, Regulatory and Finance to understand how functions collaborate to ensure on-time order fulfilment.

Qualifications

• Completed tertiary qualification in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations or related field.
• No full-time experience required; ideal for early career graduates.
• Strong Excel and MS Office skills with good numerical ability.

Responsibilities

• Support the administration and maintenance of sales orders.
• Check order details including product codes, quantities, pricing and delivery dates.
• Monitor order progress and follow up on outstanding information or actions.
• Coordinate with Planning, Production, Procurement, Warehouse and Logistics.
• Assist with SAP data checks and maintain order and master data.

Skills

Excel

Attention to detail

Organised

Analytical thinking

Education

Business Administration

Tools

SAP

Job description

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances and flavors, cosmetic active ingredients as well as functional ingredients. Its customers include perfume, cosmetics, food and beverage manufacturers, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of dietary supplements and pet food.

The Group, headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, has more than 100 locations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, the USA and Latin America.

Together with its customers, Symrise develops new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. Economic success and corporate responsibility are inextricably linked.

Symrise - always inspiring more...

About the Role

As a Customer Service Intern, you will provide administrative and operational support to the Customer Service team, gaining practical exposure to sales order management and Order-to-Cash processes within a manufacturing environment.

You will work closely with teams including Sales, Planning, Production, Procurement, Warehouse, Logistics, Quality, Regulatory and Finance, giving you a broad understanding of how different functions collaborate to ensure effective order fulfilment.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the administration and maintenance of sales orders.
• Checking order details including product codes, quantities, pricing and requested delivery dates.
• Monitoring order progress and following up internally on outstanding information or actions.
• Tracking product availability and expected completion or dispatch dates.
• Coordinating internally with Planning, Production, Procurement, Warehouse and Logistics.
• Supporting SAP data checks and helping maintain accurate order and master data.
• Maintaining order trackers and supporting order-related documentation.
• Preparing reports on open orders, outstanding actions and delivery status.
• Identifying discrepancies or potential delays and escalating them to the responsible Customer Service Administrator.
• Developing an understanding of end-to-end Customer Service and supply chain processes.

This is a support and development role and does not involve direct customer contact, commercial negotiations or independent customer commitments.

About the YES Programme

This internship forms part of the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme, a business-led collaboration with the South African Government aimed at reducing youth unemployment by creating opportunities for young people to develop new skills and gain meaningful workplace experience.

Since 2022, Symrise South Africa has proudly supported this initiative and remains committed to creating opportunities for unemployed youth while contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future.

About You

We are looking for someone who is organised, detail-oriented and eager to learn, with an interest in Customer Service, supply chain and business operations.

You ideally:

• Have completed a tertiary qualification in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Are at the beginning of your career. No previous full-time experience is required.
• Have strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Are organised and able to manage and prioritise different tasks.
• Have good analytical and numerical skills.
• Are confident using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Have good written and verbal communication skills.
• Enjoy collaborating with different departments and following up on actions.
• Demonstrate reliability, accountability and a proactive approach to learning.
• Are comfortable following established processes and handling information professionally and confidentially.
• Previous internship, vacation work or administrative experience would be an advantage.

To be eligible for this opportunity, you must:

• Be an unemployed South African youth between the ages of 18 and 29.
• Hold a completed tertiary qualification.
• Be currently unemployed.
• Not have participated in a YES4Youth Programme previously.

Our Offer

Become part of our open and transparent culture. It will give you the opportunity to flourish and to develop inspiring experiences that contribute to the health and well-being of consumers in 160 countries around the world. Putting our employees in the focus fuels our strong company growth above market rates and makes us an excellent place to develop your career.

Come join us and embark on a fascinating journey with Symrise.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.