Category Management Intern - Summer 2027

Cognitioworld; Rock Island (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Mentorship

Networking opportunities

Professional development

Job summary

Cognitioworld is offering a paid internship in merchandising and business analytics in Rock Island, IL. You will assist category managers with assortment analysis, SKU lifecycle management, and reporting to support sales and inventory decisions.

The role emphasizes strong analytical skills, Excel proficiency, and the ability to work both independently and with teams. Networking and professional development opportunities are provided.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret sales, margin, and inventory data.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Support category managers with product assortment analysis and SKU lifecycle management.
• Assist with sales, inventory, and performance reporting.
• Support pricing analysis and margin optimization initiatives.
• Assist with vendor onboarding, communication, and documentation.
• Participate in forecasting, demand planning, and inventory strategy exercises.
• Support promotional planning and program development.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations on category initiatives.
• Review planograms and store execution feedback.
• Prepare reports, summaries, and presentations for leadership review.
• Maintain data and documentation in internal systems.
• Participate in category reviews and business planning meetings.
• Perform additional administrative and analytical tasks as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Communication

Detail-oriented

Education

Business/Marketing/Analytics degree (pursuing or recent graduate)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Your Role

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting category managers with product assortment analysis and SKU lifecycle management
• Assisting with sales, inventory, and performance reporting
• Supporting pricing analysis and margin optimization initiatives
• Assisting with vendor onboarding, communication, and documentation
• Participating in forecasting, demand planning, and inventory strategy exercises
• Supporting promotional planning and program development
• Collaborating with sales, marketing, and operations teams on category initiatives
• Reviewing planograms and store execution feedback
• Preparing reports, summaries, and presentations for leadership review
• Maintaining accurate data and documentation in internal systems
• Participating in category reviews and business planning meetings
• Performing additional administrative and analytical tasks as assigned

About You

The company is looking for candidates who have:

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, Analytics, or related field
• Strong interest in merchandising, category management, or business strategy
• Internship, coursework, or analytical project experience preferred but not required
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Ability to interpret sales, margin, and inventory data
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage time, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks
• Willingness to learn, take feedback, and grow professionally
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and reliability

Compensation & Benefits

• Paid internship opportunity at $19.23 per hour
• Professional development and mentorship
• Real-world merchandising and business strategy experience
• Networking opportunities across commercial and operational teams