Automotive Sales Intern

Mankiewicz Coatings USA; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Mankiewicz Coatings USA is seeking an Automotive Sales Intern to support sales and business development for North American automotive operations. You will work with automotive customers, distributors, and internal teams to assist customer acquisition, relationship management, and growth initiatives.

The role involves coordinating proposals, quotations, and reports, and collaborating with technical teams on product information, color-matching and demonstrations.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a business or engineering field.
• Strong communication and coordination skills are required.
• Experience or coursework in sales, marketing, or business development is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support automotive sales activities and business development initiatives under sales leadership.
• Identify, research, and develop new business opportunities in the NA automotive market.
• Maintain relationships with automotive customers, distributors, and partners.
• Assist the Sales Director with acquisition, account management, and growth initiatives.
• Prepare sales presentations, proposals, quotations, and customer materials.
• Coordinate communication between internal teams, distributors, and customers.
• Track inquiries, leads, quotations, orders, and follow-up activities.
• Work with technical teams to communicate product info and color-matching needs.
• Support product-related sales activities including color samples and demonstrations.
• Monitor orders, delivery timelines, and invoices; follow up as needed.
• Learn SAP and other systems for customer management and forecasting.
• Help prepare market analyses and internal reviews for business development.
• Assist with market research on trends, competitors, and customer needs.
• Plan customer visits, meetings, and industry trade shows.
• Review feedback and coordinate follow-up with internal teams.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and marketing materials.
• Support regional sales strategies to increase market share and revenue.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing accounts and cross-sell.
• Ensure accurate communication of product, pricing, and technical info.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Microsoft Office

SAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, Automotive Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

SAP

Job description

About the Job:

Over 125 years of innovation have made Mankiewicz one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-quality coating solutions for industrial series production. From small manufacturers to large global corporations, Mankiewicz is at ease in the Automotive, Aviation, Railway, Machinery, Yacht, and Wind Power industries. Countless projects and challenges have shaped the company and its product portfolio into what it is today.

Mankiewicz's paint flew to the moon on a camera lens in 1969. A Hollywood mission brought Mankiewicz to the big screen in the 1990s. In "Golden Eye," the interior of James Bond's BMW Z3 was painted with Mankiewicz paint - not shaken, but well stirred by the Mankiewicz experts.

Come join one of the Best Places to Work in SC - winner in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025!

Responsible for:

Support sales and business development activities within our North American automotive operations. This role will provide hands-on experience working with automotive customers, distributors, and internal teams to support customer acquisition, account management, product sales, and overall business growth. The Automotive Sales Intern will assist with identifying new business opportunities, maintaining customer relationships, coordinating sales activities, and supporting the execution of regional sales strategies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support automotive sales activities and business development initiatives under the guidance of sales leadership.
• Assist with identifying, researching, and developing new business opportunities within the North American automotive market.
• Help maintain and strengthen relationships with existing automotive customers, distributors, and potential business partners.
• Assist the Sales Director with customer acquisition, account management, and sales growth initiatives.
• Support the preparation of sales presentations, proposals, quotations, and other customer-facing materials.
• Coordinate communication between internal departments, distributors, and automotive customers to support customer needs and sales opportunities.
• Assist with tracking customer inquiries, sales leads, quotations, orders, and follow-up activities.
• Work with technical teams to communicate product information, specifications, color-matching requirements, and other customer needs.
• Support product-related sales activities, including coordinating color samples, product demonstrations, technical information, and customer presentations.
• Assist with monitoring customer orders, delivery timelines, outstanding invoices, and other sales-related follow-up items.
• Learn and utilize SAP and other internal systems for customer management, sales tracking, forecasting, reporting, and order processing.
• Help prepare sales reports, market analyses, customer updates, and presentations for internal reviews and business development meetings.
• Assist with market research and analysis of automotive industry trends, competitors, customer needs, and potential growth opportunities.
• Support the planning and coordination of customer visits, sales meetings, technical training sessions, and industry trade shows.
• Assist with reviewing customer feedback and complaints and coordinating appropriate follow-up with internal teams.
• Help maintain accurate customer records, sales documentation, marketing materials, and other account-related information.
• Support the development and implementation of regional sales strategies and initiatives to increase market share and revenue.
• Assist with identifying opportunities to expand existing customer accounts and introduce additional products and services.
• Help ensure that customer, product, pricing, and technical information is accurately communicated to the appropriate teams.
• Support reporting processes and ensure sales-related information is submitted according to established requirements and timelines.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as needed to support the mission and goals of Mankiewicz Coatings.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Sales, Automotive Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Previous internship, coursework, or experience in sales, customer service, marketing, or business development is preferred but not required.
• Strong interest in automotive sales, business development, customer relationship management, manufacturing, or the coatings industry.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals across multiple departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with SAP or other enterprise business systems is a plus, but not required.
• Ability to learn new systems, sales processes, and technical product information quickly.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain a positive and professional attitude.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while knowing when to ask questions or seek guidance.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an interest in building and maintaining customer relationships.
• Willingness to learn sales techniques, negotiation strategies, and business development practices.
• Ability to analyze information, identify potential business opportunities, and assist with problem-solving.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and/or internationally on an occasional basis, as required by the role. Travel requirements may include destinations with specific entry or vaccination requirements.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Requires occasional walking, standing, lifting and carrying, stooping, bending, kneeling and reaching.
• Exposure to fumes and hazardous chemicals may occur in manufacturing or production environments.
• This position requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on the telephone.