Global Graduate Export Markets

Heineken; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 210,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global network

Mentorship

International rotations

Leadership development

Job summary

HEINEKEN Beverages in Stellenbosch runs a Global Graduate Programme designed to accelerate growth and leadership development over three years. You will rotate across commercial areas, gain exposure to brands, customers, and route-to-consumer strategies, and build the commercial judgement required to influence decisions.

You will learn how to analyse performance, engage with senior leaders, and develop into future commercial or export leadership roles within HEINEKEN’s global network.

Qualifications

• Recent graduates with a maximum of one year of full-time work experience after graduation.
• English language proficiency required; local language knowledge is a plus.
• Willingness to undertake international assignments and mobility across operating companies.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a structured three-year graduate programme with rotations in commercial roles in Stellenbosch and potentially other sites.
• Gain exposure to brands, customers and route-to-consumer strategies while building commercial judgement.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to drive growth and learn decision-making in dynamic markets.

Skills

Data analysis

Commercial mindset

Leadership potential

Education

Bachelor's degree in Commerce

Job description

Explore our world. Understand our markets. Shape what comes next.

Are you curious about how businesses grow across different markets, cultures and economies? Do you enjoy turning data into insight and insight into action?

At HEINEKEN Beverages, you'll gain exposure to the commercial decisions that shape markets, grow iconic brands and create sustainable business success across diverse geographies.

We are looking for graduates who are energised by complexity, comfortable working with data and able to turn commercial information into insight, ideas and action.

This is not just about learning how to sell. It is about understanding how businesses, customers, consumers and markets work, and developing the commercial judgement and confidence to influence decisions.

Our ambition is to develop talented graduates with the potential to become future commercial leaders, including building a pipeline of talent capable of progressing into Export and Commercial roles.

About the Programme

Our Global Graduate Programme is a three-year development journey designed to accelerate your growth and prepare you for future leadership opportunities within HEINEKEN.

You will experience different areas of the business and develop an understanding of how commercial decisions are made, how performance is measured and what drives sustainable growth.

• Rotation 1: Begin your journey in Stellenbosch, South Africa, where you'll build a strong foundation in the Commercial function while gaining exposure to our brands, customers, route-to-consumer strategies and business operations.
• Rotation 2: Broaden your perspective through a cross-functional assignment in Stellenbosch or Sandton, or another HEINEKEN operating company. You'll gain insight into how different functions work together to drive growth and performance.
• Rotation 3: Expand your horizons through an international assignment, developing your global mindset and understanding of different markets, consumers and commercial environments.
• Landing Role: Apply your learning in a substantive commercial role within your home operating company while continuing your development towards future leadership opportunities.

Global Graduate Program Highlights

• A Global Graduate Community: Join a diverse network of talented graduates from around the world, learning, growing and sharing experiences together.
• Support and Mentorship: Learn from experienced commercial leaders and business executives who will support your development.
• Extensive Learning Journey: Access world-class learning opportunities designed to accelerate your growth and leadership potential.
• Meaningful Business Exposure: Work on real business challenges that influence customers, consumers and commercial performance.

We're looking for graduates who:

• Have recently completed a degree in Commerce, Business Science, Economics, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance or a related field.
• Are curious about how businesses grow and create value.
• Enjoy solving complex challenges and working with people.
• Have an interest in customers, consumers, brands and commercial strategy.
• Demonstrate initiative, resilience and leadership potential.
• Are excited by international exposure and diverse business experiences.
• Aspire to become future business and commercial leaders.

What You Will Learn:

• Develop your commercial and financial fluency, learning how to work confidently with numbers, analyse performance and identify the commercial story behind the data.
• Understand how brands, customers, consumers and routes-to-market interact to create value.
• Work on real commercial challenges where there may not always be an obvious answer.
• Gain exposure to different markets and develop an appreciation for how economic, competitive and customer conditions influence business decisions.
• Engage and collaborate with senior leaders and multiple stakeholders, learning how to influence, challenge constructively and communicate a clear point of view.
• Build your confidence in presenting ideas and recommendations, from small working groups to larger audiences.
• Develop the resilience and agility required to perform in fast-moving and high-pressure environments.
• Build the international mindset required for a future career in commercial and export management.

Criteria & Conditions

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, Business Science, Economics, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Finance or a related field.
• Work Experience: We're looking for new graduates with a maximum of one year of full-time work experience after graduation.
• Languages: English is essential, in addition to any local language requirements.
• Work Rights: You must have the right to work in the country where you are applying.
• Travel Flexibility: Global exploration can't happen from home. Our Global Graduates must be fully mobile and willing to undertake international assignments.

Your Future at HEINEKEN

So, your three-year program is complete. What's next?

Upon successfully completing the program, you'll have the opportunity to transition into a management role within your home country or one of HEINEKEN's global Operating Companies.

Your development doesn't stop there. We invest in our people through ongoing learning opportunities designed to help you continue growing as a professional and future leader.

Pioneer. Grow. Together.

Build the commercial future of HEINEKEN while building your own.

Joining HEINEKEN

Upon successfully completing all stages, you will receive an offer to join HEINEKEN’s Global Graduate Program. Cheers, and best of luck!