J-1 Visa Trainee Jobs
Trainee positions in the United States are available to early-career professionals through the J-1 visa Trainee program category, which requires a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and oversee your structured training plan. Finding a host employer willing to work with a sponsor is the first step toward securing J-1 sponsorship.
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INTRODUCTION
Hajoca Corporation is one of the country’s largest privately-held wholesale distributors of plumbing, heating & cooling, and industrial supplies. Founded in 1858, Hajoca is a company based on the principles of “Service, Integrity, Reliability,” and on relationships of trust and support with teammates, customers, and suppliers. Throughout its history, Hajoca has played an active role in shaping advances in plumbing. However, we attribute our success to two simple truths; a unique business philosophy and talented people. Hajoca is all about the people, who give us our advantage, and who will guide us successfully into the future.
Although Hajoca is a large company, we work in a decentralized environment where each of our locations, called Profit Centers (PCs), is run by the Profit Center Manager as if it were their own small business. A typical Profit Center is the heart of our business and consists of a warehouse, counter, sales office, and (sometimes) a showroom. Our PCs conduct business under unique trade names and offer a customized business approach, honoring what’s special about each local marketplace.
Modern Supply Co. is one of those trade names and is looking for a SLDP - Sales & Leadership Development Program Trainee at their Knoxville, TN location.
Pay for SLDP - Sales & Leadership Development Program Trainee is between $25 and $30 per hour at this location.
Are you looking to pursue a long-term career in sales, business operations, or management? Do you have a strong work ethic and an eagerness to learn? Do you enjoy interacting with people and building relationships? If so, then we’d like you to join our team as a SLDP - Sales & Leadership Development Program Trainee.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
The Sales & Leadership Development program is a multi-year rotational program aimed at investing in each trainee's future by providing exposure to all aspects of our business. During the program, we work in a structured, thorough manner to develop an aligned understanding of your skill set and long-term career goals.
- Live into your dreams. We'll pair your passion, skill set, and career goals with our business needs. When the program is complete, you'll have the opportunity to pursue a long-term career in sales, operations management, profit center management, or a variety of other career paths that suit your individual goals and the needs of the business.
- Learn the business. Your learning path will include on-the-job experience supplemented with coaching from experienced managers, book and computer courses, and visits with customers and vendors. You'll learn about all aspects of our business (including warehouse procedures, operations, and sales) with guidance along the way from mentors and managers.
HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH IN EACH PHASE:
Phase 1:
- Learn about and perform work related to our business operations such as receiving and shipping material, processing returned goods, making deliveries, and learning about proper truck maintenance.
- Participate in vendor product knowledge sessions.
- Complete related online courses that facilitate and supplement your learning.
Phase 2:
- Learn about and gain experience working in counter sales including assisting customers and other teammates, processing sales orders, providing reliable product information, and maintaining the display area.
- Participate in vendor product knowledge sessions.
- Gain experience working with residential, commercial, and repair and remodel contractors.
Phase 3:
- Learn about and gain experience working in sales. Complete tasks related to pricing and margin management, bids, quotes and submittals, product procurement, and job scheduling.
- Develop relationships with vendors.
- Participate in joint sales calls with outside salespersons.
Phase 4:
- Participate in an in-depth career discussion with your assigned Profit Center Manager and discuss which aspect of business you’re interested in pursuing.
ABOUT YOU:
- College degree or equivalent experience.
- Experience in customer service, sales, management, or leadership roles.
- Able to drive for company business. As a company business driver, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Possess a proper and valid driver's license.
- Have a driving record that meets the criteria for being an Authorized Driver in accordance with company policy.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL ALSO:
- Be able to build influential relationships and trust with customers and key vendor partners through open and interactive communication.
- Be able to build positive working relationships and inspire teamwork with co-workers.
- Possess excellent communication and listening skills, with the ability to persuade.
- Be able to quickly adapt and react to changes within the work environment.
- Possess a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Effectively prioritize work projects and multi-task.
- Be able to learn and operate applicable software systems and technology used in day-to-day business operations.
- Demonstrate an awareness of personal strengths and areas of improvement and act independently to improve and increase skills and knowledge.
- Be able to learn how to safely operate warehouse material-handling equipment.
- Read, write, speak, and understand English.
- Be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Be able to quickly gain knowledge of products sold in the Profit Center.
- Effectively use Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel) to communicate via email, to maintain weekly sales plans, call reports, customer contact files, and to analyze customer data.
THE BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US:
Our culture is well-suited for exceptional people who use their talents to drive business and want to share in the financial success their efforts yield. In addition to a competitive starting wage, we offer a Profit-Sharing Program that provides each team member with an opportunity to earn a direct share of the profits on an annual basis. In addition to our generous compensation package, Hajoca also offers:
Full-time benefits (for team members working 30 or more hours per week):
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
- Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and critical care coverage.
- Life insurance and Long Term Disability.
- Pre-tax accounts for healthcare, dependent care, and commuter benefits.
- Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time (sick time also offered to PT team members as required by state law).
- Paid pregnancy and parental leave.
- Paid day of community service.
Full-time and part-time benefits:
- 401(k).
- Retirement cash account with company contributions.
- Targeted training programs focused on your personal and professional growth.
- Company wellness program.
- Employee discounts.
- College tuition benefits.
- Please note that benefit offerings may differ for teammates covered under a collective bargaining agreement or employed through an intern program.
Hajoca Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer (Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled).
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected category pursuant to federal, state or local laws and will not be discriminated against on the basis of any such categories/status. Hajoca is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities including, but not limited to, during the application process. Please let us know if you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability.
We are a drug free workplace. Employment is contingent upon pre-employment drug screening, and successful completion of a criminal background investigation subject to any federal, state and local laws.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Trainee
Build a structured training plan first
Before approaching host employers, draft a detailed training plan outlining your learning objectives by phase. Designated sponsors like Cultural Vistas require this document before issuing your DS-2019, and employers use it to assess whether they can meet the program's structured supervision requirements.
Verify your eligibility window before applying
The J-1 Trainee category requires either a degree plus one year of related work experience abroad, or five years of work experience in your field. Confirm which pathway you qualify under before targeting host employers, since mismatched applications stall at the sponsor review stage.
Target employers with J-1 hosting history
Use Migrate Mate to search for U.S. employers who have previously hosted J-1 Trainees, so you're not starting the conversation from scratch. Employers already familiar with DS-2019 requirements, training plan supervision, and the 30-day grace period move through sponsor onboarding significantly faster.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement early
Some J-1 Trainees are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement, which affects future visa eligibility including H-1B visa and green cards. Check your DS-2019 and passport for a 212(e) notation before accepting a placement, not after.
Confirm the host employer will sign program documents
Your designated sponsor issues the DS-2019, but the host employer must co-sign the training plan and agree to workplace monitoring visits or check-ins required under J-1 regulations. Get written confirmation of this commitment from the employer before the sponsor begins processing.
Time your application around program length limits
The J-1 Trainee program allows a maximum of 18 months, with an extension available to 24 months for hospitality and tourism fields. Structure your training plan phases to use this window strategically, ensuring your core objectives are achievable within the initial 18-month authorization.
Trainee J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Trainee roles?
The J-1 Trainee category is designed for professionals who have either a degree plus at least one year of work experience in their field outside the U.S., or five or more years of relevant work experience. It is distinct from the J-1 Intern category, which is reserved for current students or recent graduates within 12 months of graduation.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for a Trainee position?
Your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas, AIPT, or InterExchange, not your host employer. The designated sponsor reviews your training plan, issues your DS-2019 form, and monitors program compliance. Your host employer is the company where you train, but they are not your legal visa sponsor under J-1 regulations.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting J-1 Trainees?
Many employers are unfamiliar with J-1 Trainee requirements until a candidate introduces them. Migrate Mate lets you search for U.S. roles and employers with J-1 sponsorship alignment, so you can focus outreach on hosts already open to the program structure. Approaching employers with a draft training plan and a designated sponsor identified in advance significantly improves your success rate.
Can I change host employers during my J-1 Trainee program?
Changing host employers mid-program requires your designated sponsor's approval and a revised training plan that reflects the new work site. The State Department must be notified through your sponsor, and the new employer must meet the same hosting and supervision standards as the original. Gaps between host placements can put your J-1 status at risk, so coordinate with your sponsor before making any change.
Does the J-1 Trainee visa come with a two-year home residency requirement?
Some J-1 Trainees are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement under INA Section 212(e), which requires returning to your home country for two years before applying for certain U.S. visas, including H-1B or a green card. Whether it applies depends on your country of nationality, source of program funding, and field of training. Your DS-2019 will indicate if the requirement applies, and Migrate Mate can help you identify employers experienced with this consideration.