Intern - Merchandising Leadership Development Program

CareerArc; Calabasas (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Harbor Freight's Merchandising Internship Program offers college students and recent graduates hands-on experience shaping products, assortments, and in-store experiences. Over 10 weeks you’ll work with Merchandising leaders and cross-functional partners on ownership over projects addressing critical business questions.

Interns gain exposure to multiple retail disciplines, receive ongoing coaching and mentorship from managers, and contribute meaningful work from day one in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Junior in college obtaining a 4-year undergraduate degree.
• Strong communication and analytical skills with ability to work cross-functionally.
• Interest in merchandising, retail operations, and product presentation.

Responsibilities

• Partner with category owners to analyze business using data and insights.
• Support product and assortment strategy and category performance.
• Elevate store experience through product storytelling and promotional presentation.
• Assist with space and planogram optimization using data and testing.
• Collaborate across Merchandising, Store Ops, Inventory, Forecasting, Marketing.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Problem solving

Entrepreneurial spirit

Multi-tasking

Strategic thinking

Education

Pursuing a 4-year undergraduate degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Merchandising is the lifeblood of all great retail companies – and Harbor Freight is no exception. The Merchandising department determines what products are sold, how they are priced and how the they are promoted in-store, in print and in digital. We're looking for the next generation of great leaders to join our Merchandising team and gain hands on experience to learn the retail business.

Harbor Freight's Merchandising Internship Program gives college students and recent graduates hands-on experience helping shape the products, assortments, and in-store experiences that serve our customers. During this 10-week program, interns work alongside Merchandising leaders and cross-functional partners to take ownership over projects where you will tackle some of the most critical questions facing our business. Depending on the assignment, you may help optimize a product category, support new product and assortment strategies, improve how products are presented and navigated in our stores, or identify new opportunities to drive sales and improve the customer experience. This internship provides exposure to multiple disciplines across retail and gives you the opportunity to contribute meaningful work from day one.

Merchandising Interns will experience a fast paced, dynamic work environment. We live our core principles daily and value an organization of diverse individuals and backgrounds. As an intern, you will receive continuous coaching & mentorship – we are passionate about our work and we will make sure you receive both formal guidance as well as regular mentorship from your manager and others.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with category owners to analyze the business using data, customer insights, and competitive research to identify opportunities across assortment, pricing, promotions, space, and product presentation
• Support product and assortment strategy by evaluating market opportunities, customer needs, new products, and category performance
• Elevate the store experience through stronger product and brand storytelling, intuitive navigation, promotional presentation, and customer-focused store design
• Optimize space and planogram performance using data and testing to improve SKU placement, adjacencies, space productivity, and execution
• Support new initiatives by helping move projects from concept through development, implementation, and in-store execution
• Collaborate across the business with Merchandising, Store Environment, Store Operations, Inventory, Sourcing, Forecasting, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Product Experts, and other key partners
• Develop and present a capstone project to senior leadership focused on a real business opportunity identified with your direct leadership team
• Other duties as assigned

Scope

• Staff supervision and development: No
• Decision making:
  • Limited
• Travel: Up to 5%
• Flex Designation: Anywhere

The anticipated rate for this position is $45.70 per hour depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. Associates can accrue paid sick time up to 64 hours per year unless otherwise required by law. The Company observes 100 hours of paid holiday time.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Junior in college obtaining a 4-year undergraduate degree

Skills

• Possess excellent visionary, strategic and motivational leadership skills
• Display strong teamwork, analytical skills, problem solving and solutions oriented mindset to drive business and category growth
• Have a passion to lead complex, game-changing work, embrace new experiences, and operate with an entrepreneurial spirit
• Able to effectively manage multiple priorities under pressure by taking initiative and showing flexibility
• Must have strong oral and written communication skills and an ability to communicate with all levels of management and company personnel
• Ability to be a collaborative, team player
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems under pressure
• Intermediate Microsoft Office knowledge required

Physical Requirements

Corporate - Remote - General office environment requiring ability to:

• Stand, walk, sit for extended periods of time .
• Speak and listen to others in person and over the phone and video conferencing.
• Use keyboard and read from computer screen and reports.
• The ability to lift up to 15 lbs.

Safety

Must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering the health or safety of self or others.

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