SGS Sales and Business Development Internship 2026 Programme
Closing Date: Rolling
Location: Cape Town (Maitland), Western Cape, South Africa
Position: Sales & Business Development Intern
Division: Connectivity & Products (C&P)
Department: Consumer Retail Services (CRS)
Employment Type: Full-time
Company: SGS
SGS Sales and Business Development Internship 2026: Apply in Cape Town
The SGS Sales and Business Development Internship 2026 offers an opportunity for a suitably qualified South African candidate to gain practical workplace experience in sales, business development, customer relationship management and Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) services.
The position is based in Cape Town (Maitland) within the Connectivity & Products Division and the Consumer Retail Services Department. SGS describes the opportunity as a development role for someone interested in building a long-term career in sales and business development.
The internship can be particularly relevant to graduates and young professionals who have studied Business, Marketing, Sales, Commerce or a related discipline and are looking for practical experience after completing their studies.
Job Overview
The Sales & Business Development Intern will work closely with the Consumer Retail Services team and receive exposure to commercial activities connected to testing and inspection services. The role covers several areas, including responding to customer enquiries, sourcing laboratories and service providers, preparing quotations, maintaining databases, supporting lead generation and conducting market research.
Position Details
- Job Title: Sales & Business Development Intern
- Location: Cape Town (Maitland)
- Division: Connectivity & Products (C&P)
- Department: Consumer Retail Services (CRS)
- Employment: Full-time
- Field: Sales and Business Development
- Sector: Testing, Inspection and Certification
- Closing Date: Rolling
About the Opportunity
SGS South Africa is looking for a motivated and ambitious learner who wants to develop a career in Sales and Business Development within the TIC industry. The internship is not limited to traditional sales activities. It also provides exposure to laboratory testing services, customer relationships, supplier sourcing and the identification of new business opportunities across Southern Africa. This makes the position relevant to candidates who want to understand both the commercial and technical sides of a professional services business.
Requirements
Applicants should meet the minimum requirements listed by SGS.
Minimum Qualification
Candidates must have a:
- National Diploma or Degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, Commerce or a related field.
The vacancy does not require previous work experience in its listed minimum requirements, making the opportunity particularly relevant to graduates and entry-level candidates.
Additional Requirements
Candidates should also have:
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong administrative and organisational abilities.
- Computer literacy.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong attention to detail.
- A customer-service-oriented approach.
A valid driver’s licence will be advantageous, although the advert does not present it as a mandatory requirement.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will support a range of sales and business development activities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Responding to customer enquiries relating to testing services.
- Sourcing and engaging suitable subcontract laboratories and service providers.
- Obtaining quotations and turnaround times from laboratories and subcontractors.
- Supporting the preparation and submission of customer quotations.
- Maintaining and updating laboratory and supplier databases.
- Assisting with lead-generation and business-development initiatives.
- Following up on quotations and customer opportunities.
- Supporting customer relationship management activities.
- Conducting market research to identify potential customers and new service opportunities.
- Maintaining accurate records and reports within company systems.
- Liaising with other SGS business lines to identify additional service opportunities.
Job Description
The SGS Sales and Business Development Intern will help connect customer needs with the testing and inspection services offered through SGS. A major part of the role involves supporting customer enquiries and helping identify suitable laboratories or subcontractors for testing requirements. The intern will also assist with quotations, market research, lead generation and customer follow-ups. This means the position combines administration, customer service, research, sales support and business development, rather than focusing on one type of task.
Skills and Competencies
The vacancy highlights several qualities that can help a candidate perform well in the role.
Communication: Strong communication and interpersonal skills are important because the intern will interact with customers, suppliers, laboratories and internal SGS teams.
Organisation: The role involves maintaining databases, quotations, reports and other information. Good organisational ability and attention to detail are therefore important.
Customer Focus: The position requires a customer-service orientation. Candidates should be comfortable listening to customer needs, responding professionally and following up on opportunities.
Commercial Awareness: An interest in sales and business development is important. SGS also identifies a commercially minded approach and an eagerness to learn as qualities of the ideal candidate.
Computer Skills: Candidates should be comfortable using Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook, as these tools form part of the stated minimum requirements.
The Ideal Candidate
SGS describes the ideal candidate as someone who:
- Has a genuine interest in Sales and Business Development.
- Enjoys interacting with customers.
- Enjoys building professional relationships.
- Is commercially minded.
- Is eager to learn.
- Has an interest in laboratory testing, quality assurance and technical services.
- Is self-motivated.
- Takes a proactive approach to work.
- Is focused on developing a career.
For young graduates, these qualities can be just as important as academic qualifications when preparing for a first professional role.
What SGS Offers
The vacancy describes several potential benefits associated with the opportunity. Successful candidates can gain:
- Practical workplace experience in a global organisation.
- Exposure to business development and commercial operations.
- Mentorship.
- On-the-job training.
- Career development opportunities.
- Potential for long-term employment depending on performance and business requirements.
The reference to potential long-term employment should not be interpreted as a guarantee of permanent employment. SGS specifically links this possibility to performance and business requirements.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may suit South African graduates or entry-level candidates who have a qualification in Business, Marketing, Sales, Commerce or a related field and want to enter the world of business development. It could be especially useful for someone who enjoys working with people but also has an interest in research, administration, technical services and commercial activities. Candidates who are comfortable using Microsoft Office and who can demonstrate good communication, organisation and customer-service skills should consider the opportunity.
Location: Cape Town (Maitland)
The internship is based in Maitland, Cape Town, within SGS’s Consumer Retail Services department. SGS has an established network of offices and laboratories across South Africa, with locations serving different industries and regions. Its South African operations cover sectors including mining, government, consumer and retail, agriculture, industrial activities, oil, gas and chemicals.
Application and Selection Process
SGS states that candidates applying for its positions should identify the role that best matches their qualifications and career aspirations and submit their CV and covering letter online. Depending on the position, SGS may conduct interviews and assessments that examine personality traits as well as cognitive and technical skills. Additional screening, including medical checks or drug testing, may also apply depending on the role. Applicants should therefore ensure that their CV clearly reflects their qualification, relevant skills and interest in sales and business development.
About SGS
SGS is a global Testing, Inspection and Certification company. SGS says it operates a network of more than 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by more than 100,000 employees. SGS provides services covering testing, inspection, certification, training and consulting, helping organisations meet quality, compliance and sustainability requirements.
SGS South Africa was established in 1949 and has offices and laboratories across the country. The South African business serves a broad range of industries, including mining, consumer and retail, agriculture, industrial, oil and gas, chemicals, and government institutions. For graduates interested in commercial roles connected to technical and professional services, SGS provides an environment where sales and business development can intersect with testing, inspection and certification.
How to Apply
Candidates interested in the SGS Sales & Business Development Intern opportunity should apply online through the official SGS recruitment platform. Applicants should ensure that their CV is updated and clearly reflects their relevant qualification, computer skills, communication abilities and interest in sales or business development. Since the official vacancy does not specify a closing date, interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
