Sales Intern (Paid) - Summer 2027

Kinter; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Paid holidays

Employer-funded pension

100% employee medical insurance

Job summary

Kinter, a family-owned manufacturer and distributor of retail display hardware, seeks a Sales Intern in Waukegan, IL. The paid, full-time internship runs May 17 to August 13, 2027, with 40 hours/week, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday–Friday.

The role supports lead generation, outreach, client communication, and business development activities, with potential to transition to FT based on performance. The paid rate is $20 per hour.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• Enrollment in accredited four-year college with junior standing or higher at start of internship.
• Prior sales or customer service experience is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist with outreach to prospective clients and partners via phone, email, and other channels (40+ calls per day).
• Support sales by researching leads, industries, and opportunities.
• Shadow sales team to learn processes and account management.
• Schedule and prepare for sales meetings and update HubSpot records.
• Maintain accurate customer/prospect data in HubSpot.
• Follow up with clients and conduct courtesy outreach as directed.
• Complete a Capstone Presentation at internship end.
• Take on additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

MS Office

Organization

Time management

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma

Enrollment in four-year college

Junior standing or higher

Tools

HubSpot

Job description

The Company:

Kinter is a family business obsessed with making retail display hardware easier for our customers. We’ve been manufacturing and distributing retail display hardware for over 40 years. Our approach to business is simple — treat each other and our customers like family.

Summary/Objective:

The Sales Intern supports the Sales team with lead generation, outreach, client communication, and business development activities. This position is ideal for individuals eager to build foundational skills in sales, communication, customer engagement, and professional relationship management. This is a full-time, temporary internship, with potential to transition into a permanent full-time role based on performance and organizational needs. The pay for this role is fixed at $20 per hour.

Schedule:

May 17th to August 13th, 2027. Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with a 1-hour unpaid lunch. No time off is permitted due to the short, structured program timeline.

Essential Functions:

• Assist with outreach to prospective clients and partners through phone, email, and other communication channels. (40+ calls per day)
• Support the sales team by conducting research on leads, industries, and potential business opportunities.
• Shadow members of the sales team to learn the sales process, client management strategies, and book-of-business structure.
• Help schedule and prepare for sales meetings, including organizing materials and updating HubSpot.
• Maintain accurate customer and prospect information by regularly updating records in the HubSpot.
• Participate in client follow-ups, courtesy outreach, and account touchpoints as directed by sales leadership.
• Complete a Capstone Presentation at the end of the internship, summarizing projects, results, and recommendations.
• Undertake any additional duties assigned by management, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to support various operational needs.
• Participate in special projects as directed, displaying initiative and commitment to team goals.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Reliable time management with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• High school diploma required.
• Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited four-year college and have junior standing or higher at the start of the internship. Recent graduates up to the Class of 2027may also apply.
• Prior sales or customer service experience is a plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Adjusting or moving objects up to 15 pounds
• Ability to make repetitive movements, including moving of the wrists and/or fingers, bending, or squatting

Work Environment:

• This position will work indoors in a temperature-controlled environment.

Travel:

• None.

The Location:

Kinter is located on the outskirts of Waukegan, just minutes from Gurnee and Wadsworth. Office and warehouses are located off IL Route 41, which makes the commute easy from surrounding towns.

Why Join Our Team?

• Be part of a dedicated, family-owned business with a proven track record of success and a deep commitment to its employees.
• Enjoy generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Benefit from comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance—100% covered for the employee by Kinter, with no payroll deductions.
• Secure your future with our fully employer-funded pension plan (contributions start after 1 year, fully vested after 5 years, with no deductions from your paycheck).
• Unlock long-term growth potential and opportunities to advance within the company.