Product Sales Representative Intern | Summer 2027

Van Meter • Cedar Rapids, IA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Product Sales Representative Intern focuses on projects that help grow customer relationships while serving as a liaison between customers and Account Managers. This role provides hands-on experience supporting customer inventory management, product sales initiatives, and operational processes at customer locations. The intern will visit customer and crib locations as needed to promote and initiate product sales, solve customer challenges, and identify opportunities to improve customer outcomes. Working alongside manufacturer representatives, the intern will participate in joint sales calls, product demonstrations, and product training opportunities to expand their industry knowledge. This role also provides experience monitoring customer inventory, managing crib stock, and supporting occasional product deliveries. Interns are paired with an assigned mentor and have opportunities to shadow roles throughout the company, visit different branch locations, participate in community impact initiatives, and gain exposure to various aspects of the business. At Van Meter, our purpose is to Create Lasting Value for Those We Serve while fostering a high-performing, employee-owned organization. The company's culture is built around being "All-In," meaning employee-owners are encouraged to be the best in their roles, live the company's values, and actively support and protect a strong, people-centered culture. Employees are empowered through open communication, accountability, collaboration, and a shared commitment to delivering an exceptional employee and customer experience.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Currently a college sophomore or junior standing
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel locally to customer and company locations as needed
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to organize work, manage priorities, and accept feedback
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Responsibilities

• Provide customer-facing support by working directly at customer locations to maintain inventory levels and ensure customers have the products they need.
• Assist with stocking, organizing, replenishing, and monitoring inventory within customer cribs, consignment stock, and Van Meter-managed inventory locations.
• Gain exposure to order processing activities, including order entry, data management, and system updates.
• Observe customer operations and identify opportunities, challenges, and solutions to share with Account Managers, Product Specialists, and customers.
• Participate in inventory management activities, including cycle counts, inventory audits, and product replenishment.
• Support product sales initiatives through customer visits, joint sales calls, product demonstrations, and collaboration with manufacturer representatives.
• Attend product training seminars and learn about automation solutions, industrial environments, and Van Meter's products and services.
• Partner with a mentor, shadow team members across the organization, participate in community impact initiatives, and support department projects and continuous improvement efforts.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED