Category Management Specialist Internships
Category management specialist internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience analyzing product assortments and vendor data alongside working category managers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated in Technology & Software, with TikTok, Cencora, and Brunswick among the employers posting roles now.
Find InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 32+ Category Management Specialist Internships
Job Description:
We Deliver the Goods:- Competitive pay and benefits, including Day 1 Health & Wellness Benefits, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 401K Employer Matching, Education Assistance, Paid Time Off, and much more
- Growth opportunities performing essential work to support America’s food distribution system
- Safe and inclusive working environment, including culture of rewards, recognition, and respect
Position Purpose:
We are looking for a Marketing and Category Management Intern to join our talented team of business professionals this summer at our headquarters based in Westlake, TX. Our 12-week Internship Program provides an invaluable hands-on experience for those who want to work alongside a team that values results, enjoyment (really – we love to work hard, play hard) and learning.
Forget about coffee runs – our Interns learn the ins and outs of their area of specialization and enjoy representing the company in challenging enterprise-wide projects and meaningful assignments to gain the knowledge, experience and training you will need to determine if your career choice is the right fit for you. We provide Interns with the opportunity to learn and develop new skills while gaining a deeper understanding of concepts through immersive application.
Working closely with their program managers, Interns explore their career field of interest, acquire new skills, and develop transferrable skills. Each Intern reports to a Core-Mark leader who provides hands-on training, oversight, and mentorship. We are looking for well-rounded individuals who have demonstrated not only outstanding academic achievement, but aptitude for leadership, teamwork, analytical capabilities, excellent communication skills and sincere interest to pursue a career in their area of expertise.
Internship Program Dates: May 24, 2027 - August 6, 2027
Starting Pay Rate: $22.00 per hour
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, normal business hours. Requirement to able to work in-office 5 days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Support team in managing content and execution of sales and marketing materials.
- Support team through vendor and item set up process.
- Assist in resolving program billing and tracking
- Investigates and corrects problems causing incorrect input or output by reviewing edit reports, input documents, and online system screens, and by developing query reports.
- Support and assist with ad-hoc requests or projects.
Qualifications:
- Must be an undergraduate or graduate student with expectations to graduate no later than May 2027.
- Must be able to work in-office 5 days per week - residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, or willing to relocate.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, or higher is required
Company description
Core-Mark continues to grow as the industry leader in fresh and broadline solutions for the convenience retail industry. With a reputation for empowering customers, employees, and communities, Core-Mark has become the largest, most comprehensive marketer of consumer goods in North America — offering a full range of products, programs, and solutions to convenience operators across the U.S. and Canada.
Awards and Accolades
Performance Food Group and/or its subsidiaries (individually or collectively, the "Company") provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. Please click on the following links to review: (1) our EEO Policy; (2) the "EEO is the Law" poster and supplement; and (3) the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.Job Description:
We Deliver the Goods:- Competitive pay and benefits, including Day 1 Health & Wellness Benefits, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 401K Employer Matching, Education Assistance, Paid Time Off, and much more
- Growth opportunities performing essential work to support America’s food distribution system
- Safe and inclusive working environment, including culture of rewards, recognition, and respect
Position Purpose:
We are looking for a Marketing and Category Management Intern to join our talented team of business professionals this summer at our headquarters based in Westlake, TX. Our 12-week Internship Program provides an invaluable hands-on experience for those who want to work alongside a team that values results, enjoyment (really – we love to work hard, play hard) and learning.
Forget about coffee runs – our Interns learn the ins and outs of their area of specialization and enjoy representing the company in challenging enterprise-wide projects and meaningful assignments to gain the knowledge, experience and training you will need to determine if your career choice is the right fit for you. We provide Interns with the opportunity to learn and develop new skills while gaining a deeper understanding of concepts through immersive application.
Working closely with their program managers, Interns explore their career field of interest, acquire new skills, and develop transferrable skills. Each Intern reports to a Core-Mark leader who provides hands-on training, oversight, and mentorship. We are looking for well-rounded individuals who have demonstrated not only outstanding academic achievement, but aptitude for leadership, teamwork, analytical capabilities, excellent communication skills and sincere interest to pursue a career in their area of expertise.
Internship Program Dates: May 24, 2027 - August 6, 2027
Starting Pay Rate: $22.00 per hour
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, normal business hours. Requirement to able to work in-office 5 days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Support team in managing content and execution of sales and marketing materials.
- Support team through vendor and item set up process.
- Assist in resolving program billing and tracking
- Investigates and corrects problems causing incorrect input or output by reviewing edit reports, input documents, and online system screens, and by developing query reports.
- Support and assist with ad-hoc requests or projects.
Qualifications:
- Must be an undergraduate or graduate student with expectations to graduate no later than May 2027.
- Must be able to work in-office 5 days per week - residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, or willing to relocate.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, or higher is required
Company description
Core-Mark continues to grow as the industry leader in fresh and broadline solutions for the convenience retail industry. With a reputation for empowering customers, employees, and communities, Core-Mark has become the largest, most comprehensive marketer of consumer goods in North America — offering a full range of products, programs, and solutions to convenience operators across the U.S. and Canada.
Awards and Accolades
Performance Food Group and/or its subsidiaries (individually or collectively, the "Company") provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. Please click on the following links to review: (1) our EEO Policy; (2) the "EEO is the Law" poster and supplement; and (3) the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.Category Management Specialist Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- TikTok20
- Cencora1
- Brunswick1
- Coke Florida1
- Direct Supply1
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
Tips for Your Category Management Specialist Internship Search
Apply in fall for summer cohorts
Large retailers and consumer goods companies open summer intern recruiting the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to their start dates. Check listings throughout the year so you don't miss roles at either end of that window.
Build a category analysis portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for category management specialist roles want proof of analytical thinking, not just a list of classes. Create two or three documented projects, such as a planogram redesign, a pricing analysis, or an assortment rationalization case study, noting the tools you used and sharing the work as a linked slide deck or report.
Combine campus fairs with direct company applications
Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Your professors and career center staff may also know which category management employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to smaller companies running cohorts alongside your campus activity to widen the pool you reach.
Practice category case interviews out loud
Category management specialist intern screens often include a case or analytical exercise where you are asked to recommend an assortment change, evaluate a vendor proposal, or interpret sales data. Practice walking through your reasoning out loud before the interview, since interviewers weigh how you structure a problem as much as the answer you reach.
Target structured rotational and category analyst programs
Several large consumer goods and retail companies run formal rotational or analyst development programs designed to train people new to category management. These programs recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your target industry and apply in the first wave, well before general intern postings go live.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 95% of the category management specialist internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through openings, then filter by location and work type so you are only spending time on roles you can actually accept.
Category Management Specialist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a category management specialist internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. Build a documented portfolio showing category analyses, planogram mock-ups, or pricing case studies that give recruiters something concrete to assess. Submit applications directly through company career pages and show up to campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a category management specialist internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it is consistent performance on real category projects, available headcount on the team, and understanding when return-offer decisions happen so you can ask about the timeline early. Position yourself by delivering quality work and building relationships without counting on the offer as a given.
When should I apply for category management specialist internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large retailers and consumer goods companies recruit summer interns during the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as roles post gives you the best shot at competitive cohorts.
Are category management specialist internships paid?
Most professional category management specialist internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Nonprofit or small-retailer internships occasionally run unpaid or for academic credit, so read each listing carefully before applying.
What should a category management specialist internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Highlight two or three documented projects that show category analysis, assortment planning, or pricing work, naming the tools you used and linking to published case studies or slide decks where the work is visible. Add relevant coursework in merchandising, supply chain, or data analytics. Keep everything to one page.
Are there remote category management specialist internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 5% of the category management specialist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get category management specialist internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
See All 32 Category Management Specialist Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Internships