Sales Intern - Summer 2026 - San Diego, CA

SALES INTERN - SUMMER 2026

San Diego, CA | Dallas, TX | Detroit, MI | Minneapolis, MN | Philadelphia, PA | Boston, MA

This is a remote & travel work environment. This position will require working remotely wherever you are located, but will involve in-person sales events and meetings that will require travel. Travel will be compensated accordingly. 

The intention of this position is to provide a real-life experience and understanding of our full-time Operator Sales Representative role. Full-time roles may not be guaranteed in the same location as the internship and may require relocation.

Schwan’s Company, a U.S. affiliate of the global lifestyle company CJ CheilJedang Corporation, is a leading U.S. manufacturer and marketer of quality foods offered through retail-grocery and food-service channels. Its many popular brands include Red Baron®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Villa Prima™ and Freschetta® pizza; Mrs. Smith’s® and Edwards® desserts; and Pagoda® and Bibigo Asian-style snacks. 

Your Internship Experience:

• Dynamic 12-Week Internship: Dive into a hands-on experience with real-world projects that align with your studies and make a real impact.
• Take Charge of Strategic Projects: Own exciting, high-stakes initiatives with direct relevance to your coursework and gain invaluable experience that goes beyond the classroom.
• Exclusive Access to Leadership: Engage with company executives and senior leaders through frequent interactions that offer unique insights and career inspiration.
• A Culture of Care: Join a company that prioritizes health, safety, and well-being, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Guidance from Industry Experts: Receive guidance from skilled & genuine team members who are invested in your success.
• Pathway to a Thriving Career: Build your future with a leading food company where internships often pave the way to full-time roles after graduation.

Your Impact:

• Industry Experience and Skills Development: Dive into Schwan’s and the Food Service Industry, gaining hands-on experience in sales planning, call execution, and industry knowledge. Master key skills such as organization, time management, food safety guidelines, basic culinary techniques, and working effectively with diverse operator segments.
• Event Support and Sales Activities: Energize team efforts by supporting distributor and operator events. Assist with on-the-ground sales activities, collaborating with team members to drive customer engagement at the account level.
• Operator Engagement and Sampling: Get involved in operator engagement through exciting opportunities like food shows and distributor meetings. Play a key role in product sampling, connecting with operators and showcasing our offerings.
• Project Leadership and Presentation: Take charge of 2 impactful summer projects designed to boost sales momentum. Present your project outcomes and insights to senior leadership, demonstrating your contribution to the company’s success.
• Relationship Building: Forge strong cross-functional relationships within the company and build valuable connections with customers. Your networking skills will be key to creating lasting partnerships and driving sales growth.
• Sales Strategy: Contribute to developing and refining sales strategies, utilizing your industry knowledge and insights to enhance our approach.
• Market Analysis: Assist in analyzing market trends and competitor activities to support strategic sales initiatives and identify growth opportunities.
• Training and Development: Engage in ongoing training to deepen your understanding of sales processes, industry dynamics, and effective customer interactions.

What You Bring:

• Education: Current enrollment in a bachelor's Business Management, Sales, Marketing, Communications, or business-related program with an anticipated graduation date of December 2026 or May 2027. GPA of 3.0 preferred. 
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Confident go-getter with a proactive mindset, ready to take initiative and own your work.
  • Articulate and engaging in all forms of communication—verbal, written, and interpersonal.
  • Quickly establish rapport and foster genuine, trust-based relationships.
  • Skilled at delivering compelling presentations to diverse audiences.
  • Excellent at juggling multiple tasks and managing time efficiently to meet critical deadlines.
  • Comfortable with numbers and adept at analyzing financial data, including margins and pricing.
  • Thrives in fast-paced, ever-changing environments, handling ambiguity with ease.
  • Open and eager to relocate for full-time opportunities after the internship.
  • Ready to hit the road, with frequent travel expected and embraced.

The employing subsidiaries of Schwan's Company are Equal Employment Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, age, race, color, religion, gender, vet status, national origin, or other protected class.

Qualifications:

Education: Current enrollment in a college degree program - either Associate's or Bachelor's of Arts in a relatedfield of study.

Years of Related Experience: 0 -2 years related experience

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Basic PC, communication and interpersonal skills required; familiarity with MicrosoftOffice and email programs; basic understanding of applicable discipline (i.e., accounting & finance, human resources,law, marketing, sales, supply chain, etc.) with organizational and self-motivational skills required.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications associated with the job. An individual must be able to perform all ofthe duties and responsibilities listed in a fully competent manner to be considered successful in the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individualswith disabilities to perform essential duties and responsibilities.