Product Sales Representative Intern | Summer 2027

Van Meter Inc.; Cedar Rapids, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Van Meter Inc. is seeking a Product Sales Representative Intern to help grow customer relationships by supporting inventory management, product sales initiatives, and operational processes at customer locations.

The role includes joint sales calls, product demos, and training opportunities alongside manufacturer representatives, with mentorship and cross-location exposure. Applicants are currently college sophomores or juniors, with a high school diploma or GED, strong MS Office skills, and the

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Currently a college sophomore or junior standing.
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel locally as needed.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong written and verbal communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide customer-facing support by working directly at customer locations to maintain inventory levels.
• Assist with stocking, organizing, replenishing, and monitoring inventory within customer cribs and Van Meter locations.
• Gain exposure to order processing activities including entry, data management, and system updates.
• Observe customer operations and identify opportunities, challenges, and solutions.
• Participate in inventory management activities such as cycle counts and audits.
• Support product sales initiatives through customer visits and joint sales calls.

Education

College sophomore or junior status

MS Office proficiency

Strong written and verbal communication

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability to work independently and in a team

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Role Summary

The Product Sales Representative Intern focuses on projects that help grow customer relationships while serving as a liaison between customers and Account Managers. This role provides hands-on experience supporting customer inventory management, product sales initiatives, and operational processes at customer locations.

The intern will visit customer and crib locations as needed to promote and initiate product sales, solve customer challenges, and identify opportunities to improve customer outcomes. Working alongside manufacturer representatives, the intern will participate in joint sales calls, product demonstrations, and product training opportunities to expand their industry knowledge. This role also provides experience monitoring customer inventory, managing crib stock, and supporting occasional product deliveries.

Interns are paired with an assigned mentor and have opportunities to shadow roles throughout the company, visit different branch locations, participate in community impact initiatives, and gain exposure to various aspects of the business.

Company Overview

At Van Meter, our purpose is to Create Lasting Value for Those We Serve while fostering a high-performing, employee-owned organization. The company's culture is built around being "All-In," meaning employee-owners are encouraged to be the best in their roles, live the company's values, and actively support and protect a strong, people-centered culture. Employees are empowered through open communication, accountability, collaboration, and a shared commitment to delivering an exceptional employee and customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

The essential duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Provide customer-facing support by working directly at customer locations to maintain inventory levels and ensure customers have the products they need.
• Assist with stocking, organizing, replenishing, and monitoring inventory within customer cribs, consignment stock, and Van Meter-managed inventory locations.
• Gain exposure to order processing activities, including order entry, data management, and system updates.
• Observe customer operations and identify opportunities, challenges, and solutions to share with Account Managers, Product Specialists, and customers.
• Participate in inventory management activities, including cycle counts, inventory audits, and product replenishment.
• Support product sales initiatives through customer visits, joint sales calls, product demonstrations, and collaboration with manufacturer representatives.
• Attend product training seminars and learn about automation solutions, industrial environments, and Van Meter's products and services.
• Partner with a mentor, shadow team members across the organization, participate in community impact initiatives, and support department projects and continuous improvement efforts.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Currently a college sophomore or junior standing
• Reliable transportation and ability to travel locally to customer and company locations as needed
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to organize work, manage priorities, and accept feedback
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Physical Requirements

• Occasional carrying, bending at the waist, and reaching.
• Some walking, lifting, and customer-facing activities.
• Frequent standing and working independently or collaboratively with others.
• Continuous sitting, use of hands and fingers, verbal communication, hearing, and driving.
• Ability to perform inventory-related tasks, including handling and moving product as needed.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials required to support customer inventory activities.

Working Conditions

• Frequently works at customer locations, inventory cribs, branch locations, and office environments.
• Regular interaction with customers, Account Managers, Product Specialists, manufacturer representatives, and other team members.
• Ability to travel between customer sites and company locations as needed.
• Exposure to moderate noise levels typical of warehouse, industrial, manufacturing, and customer environments.
• Vision requirements include near vision, distance vision, depth perception, field of vision, and visual adjustment.
• Ability to hear and respond to workplace conversations, phone calls, and customer communications.
• Primarily indoor work environment with exposure to customer manufacturing, automation, warehouse, and distribution settings.
• May require use of customer-specific safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) as required by customer locations.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Other duties may be assigned, changed, or removed at any time, with or without notice, based on business needs and consistent with applicable law. Nothing in this job description alters the at-will employment relationship, where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities

Van Meter is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Applicants and employee-owners who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other employment benefits and privileges should contact Human Resources. Reasonable accommodation will be provided in accordance with applicable laws.