Supplier Ops & Sales Support Intern at Van Meter – Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Summary:

As a Sales Support Intern, you will get hands on experience in key operational areas like pricing, sales analysis, and inventory. The Sales Support Intern would work closely with members within the Pricing, Data, Purchasing, Inventory, and Commodities teams on department initiatives and improvement opportunities. This individual will work on projects that improve efficiency and support new product launches. The Sales Support Intern will work closely with an assigned mentor and have the opportunity to shadow many roles throughout the company, participate in community impact initiatives, and visit different branch locations. This individual expresses behavior that supports our company culture (5 P’s) and our purpose to create lasting value to those we serve.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

• Analyze & Improve: Review operational metrics to analyze performance, trends, and impact of product lines to find improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate on Key Initiatives: Work with team members to implement projects that drive our company forward.
• Support Daily Operations: Assist with pricing, purchasing, and inventory activities, gaining hands on experience in the day-to-day operations of a successful business.
• Ensure Data Accuracy: Analyze product line data to close gaps and improve the overall completeness of our information, ensuring we have the most accurate insights.
• Help Launch New Products: Assist in the coordination of product launches, inventory additions, and conversations, playing a key role in bringing new products to market.

Critical Success Factors:

• Considered a leader and has demonstrated potential to lead
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to learn, grow, and adapt to change
• Cooperative attitude with team-oriented disposition

Job Requirements/Specifications:

• High School Graduate
• Pursuing a college degree in Business, Finance or a related field.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software, specifically Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Potential Project Work:

· Optimize New Product Creation Process
Analyze and improve how new products are added to our system. This includes reviewing current workflows, identifying inefficiencies, and suggesting ways to monitor and refine the process for better accuracy and control.

· Analyze Non-Key Supplier Sales
Investigate items sold outside our defined key suppliers. Determine why these sales occur, assess their impact, and recommend strategies for managing or reducing them.

· Freight Cost Estimation Tool
Develop a method to estimate freight costs for products shipped via third-party carriers. The goal is to provide accurate cost estimates for customers and help the team make informed decisions on shipping options.

· Cost Support Education and Analysis
Research which products truly require supplier cost support (discounts) to remain competitive. Create a guide to educate sales teams on when cost support is essential versus optional.

· Supplier Contact Management and AI Integration
Audit and update supplier contact information in our CRM. Explore ways to organize this data for future integration with AI tools, enabling quick answers to supplier-related questions.

Work Environment:

The Sales Support Intern will be working in a collaborative environment, spending your time working with your hands and fingers, talking, hearing, and working closely with others and customers. Expect a mix of sitting, standing, and walking throughout the day.

Meet Our Past Interns: See what it’s really like to be an intern here! Get inspired by their stories and discover the impact you could make!

https://www.vanmeterinc.com/blog/van-meter-welcomes-2025-summer-interns

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an incumbent. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities, duties or responsibilities. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.