Sales Internship - Summer 2027

Schwan's Company • Des Moines, IA

4d • Remote

About The Position

The Sales Intern will gain real-life experience and understanding of the full-time Operator Sales Representative role through a 12-week, hands-on field sales internship from May 24 through August 13, 2027. The intern will work alongside local sales teams, contribute to projects related to their studies, and gain experience in the food-service industry. The role is remote wherever the intern is located, but includes frequent travel for in-person sales events and meetings; travel is compensated accordingly. Full-time opportunities after the internship may not be available in the same location and may require relocation.

The intern will develop skills in sales planning, call execution, food safety, basic culinary techniques, and working with diverse operator segments. They will support distributor and operator events, assist with sales activities and product sampling, lead at least two summer projects, present results to senior leadership, build internal and customer relationships, contribute to sales strategy, analyze markets and competitors, and participate in ongoing training. The internship emphasizes leadership access, mentoring, and a supportive environment. The company notes that internships often pave the way to full-time roles after graduation, though full-time employment is not guaranteed.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's program in Business Management, Sales, Marketing, Communications, or a business-related field.
• Anticipated graduation date of December 2027 or May 2028.
• Proactive, confident, and willing to take initiative and own work.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to establish rapport and build trust-based relationships.
• Ability to deliver presentations to diverse audiences.
• Strong multitasking and time-management skills to meet deadlines.
• Comfort with numbers and ability to analyze financial data, including margins and pricing.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment and handle ambiguity.
• Willingness to relocate for full-time opportunities after the internship.
• Willingness to travel frequently for the role.

Nice To Haves

• GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on experience in sales planning, call execution, and food-service industry practices.
• Support distributor and operator events and assist with on-the-ground sales activities to engage customers at the account level.
• Participate in operator engagement opportunities, including food shows and distributor meetings, and assist with product sampling.
• Lead two or more summer projects intended to support sales momentum and present project outcomes and insights to senior leadership.
• Build cross-functional relationships within the company and connections with customers.
• Contribute to developing and refining sales strategies using industry knowledge and insights.
• Analyze market trends and competitor activities to support sales initiatives and identify growth opportunities.
• Participate in ongoing training on sales processes, industry dynamics, and customer interactions.
• Apply organization, time management, food safety guidelines, basic culinary techniques, and knowledge of diverse operator segments.

Benefits

• Travel for required events and meetings is compensated accordingly.
• Guidance and mentoring from experienced team members.
• Frequent interactions with company executives and senior leaders.
• Supportive and inclusive environment that prioritizes health, safety, and well-being.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern