2027 Brand Marketing Summer Internship

Central Garden & Pet; Franklin (WI); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Mentorship

Job summary

Central Specialty Pet, a division of Central Garden & Pet, is seeking Summer 2027 Brand Marketing Interns to join our Franklin, WI team. You’ll contribute to Kaytee and C&S brand initiatives, gaining hands-on experience in brand strategy, product concepts, and integrated marketing campaigns within the fast‑moving CPG industry.

Open to undergraduates, rising juniors or seniors, with interest in marketing, consumer insights, or analytics.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student, preferably pursuing Marketing, Business, or related field.
• Rising junior or senior status preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in brand marketing, strategy, consumer insights, digital marketing, or analytics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Analytical and strategic thinking with curiosity about market trends.
• Proven leadership, initiative, and ability to collaborate in teams.
• Creative, resourceful, and motivated self‑starter with a drive for learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to meaningful brand projects that influence brand performance.
• Develop campaign concepts and support integrated marketing campaigns.
• Support go‑to‑market strategies for product lines.
• Explore growth opportunities within key consumer segments or retail channels.
• Engage in target segmentation, competitor analysis, and market performance reviews.
• Leverage marketing technology and AI tools to support insights and planning.

Job description

Central Specialty Pet, a division of Central Garden & Pet, is looking for driven and curious Summer 2027 Brand Marketing Interns to join our team in Franklin, WI (metro-Milwaukee). This is a paid, 10-week summer internship supporting two of our leading pet and outdoor brands: Kaytee and C&S.

Our interns work directly on brands that serve passionate pet parents and wild bird enthusiasts across the country:

Kaytee – A category-leading brand serving small animals and birds with a full range of nutrition, habitat, and care solutions.

C&S – A market leader in suet and wild bird feeding products.

And yes — the pets behind our brands are part of our daily work life. From rabbits and guinea pigs to hamsters and birds, our office is home to the very animals we support, creating a uniquely hands‑on environment where our products and purpose come to life.

As a Brand Marketing Intern, you’ll gain hands‑on experience supporting nationally recognized brands in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. You’ll contribute to real business initiatives, collaborate cross‑functionally, and see firsthand how brand strategy translates into marketplace results.

If you’re excited to turn classroom learning into real‑world brand impact, this is your opportunity.

What can you expect to get out of this internship?

Lead and contribute to meaningful, high‑impact business projects that directly influence brand performance.

Gain hands‑on experience in brand strategy, product innovation, and integrated marketing campaign development.

Develop a deeper understanding of B2B marketing operations, retailer dynamics, and how brands compete and grow within the CPG industry.

Build exposure to cross‑functional teams including eCommerce, Digital Marketing, Creative Services, Sales, R&D, Supply Chain, and Consumer Insights, with opportunities for learning sessions and collaborative training.

Receive ongoing coaching and mentorship from experienced marketing leaders.

Experience a fully immersive internship designed to mirror full‑time brand marketing roles.

Opportunity to be considered for full‑time employment based on performance and business needs.

Experience a workplace that truly lives its brands — including an office environment shared with small pets and birds that bring energy and authenticity to our everyday work.

These are some example projects you may work on as a Summer Intern:

Co‑lead development of new product concepts from insight through commercialization planning.

Develop integrated marketing communication campaigns, including corresponding digital and social media strategy.

Support go‑to‑market strategy for new or existing product lines.

Identify growth opportunities within targeted consumer segments or retail channels.

Project‑related tasks and analysis may include:

Diving into target consumer segmentations and persona development.

Conducting competitive shopping and analysis across key retailers.

Evaluating brand strategy within a defined market or consumer target.

Performing market, category, and brand performance analysis.

Leveraging marketing technology and AI tools to support insight development and campaign planning.

What are we looking for in you?

Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university, preferably pursuing a degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field, with a strong academic record.

Rising Junior or Senior status preferred.

Demonstrated interest in brand marketing, strategy, consumer insights, digital marketing, or analytics.

Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively.

Analytical and strategic thinking skills, with curiosity about market trends and consumer behavior.

Proven leadership, initiative, and ability to collaborate effectively in team environments.

Creative, resourceful, and motivated self‑starter with a strong drive for learning and professional growth.

We’re looking for individuals ready to bring fresh ideas, energy, and passion to our marketing team.

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2023 net sales of $3.3 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the Pet and Garden industries. The Company’s innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high‑quality brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, Farnam®, Ferry‑Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, K&H®, Nylabone® and Pennington®, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California and has 6,700 employees across North America and Europe. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.