2026 Management and Sales Summer Intern

Sherwin-Williams
Mattoon, IL, 61938, USA

Retail
Contract
sales internship
retail management
customer service

Our job summary

The 2026 Management and Sales Summer Intern at Sherwin-Williams is a 10-12 week paid program providing hands-on experience in retail sales, management, and store operations within a paint store environment. Interns gain practical knowledge through customer service, sales support, merchandising, inventory management, and participation in a team-based business project. The role emphasizes professional development, customer interaction, and exposure to business-to-business and retail sales practices, preparing interns for potential advancement in the Management & Sales Training Program.

The Sherwin-Williams Management & Sales Internship is a paid, 10-12-week summer program offering hands-on experience in our retail stores, providing insight into management, sales, and store operations as well as meaningful customer experiences. Our store internship program is designed to provide you with a comprehensive learning experience through practical business-to-business and retail experience working in a paint store. You will gain insight into a career in outside sales by traveling with a Sales Representative and spending structured time with your management team. You will also complete a project that addresses critical business issues alongside your peers and with the support of leadership.

Our intern experience provides professional-level learning in the following areas:

Sales
Marketing/Promotions
Merchandising
Customer Relationship Management
Business Management

Following successful completion of the program, interns are highly encouraged to apply to the Management & Sales Training Program (“MTP”) and further grow their career with Sherwin-Williams!

College graduates are not eligible to participate in the internship program but are encouraged to apply to our Management and Sales Training Program (“MTP”) instead.

Job duties involve contact with customers, which may include minors; and access to cash and other payment methods, electronic equipment, personal information, store merchandise and other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s customers, staff, employees, vendors, contractors, and the general public.

At Sherwin-Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent and passion make it possible to live this purpose, and for customers and our business to achieve great results. Sherwin-Williams is a place that takes its stability, growth and momentum and translates it to possibility for our people. Our people are behind the strength of our success, and we invest and support you in:

Life … with rewards, benefits and the flexibility to enhance your health and well-being
Career … with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and grow your contribution
Connection … with an inclusive team and commitment to our own and broader communities
It's all here for you... let's Create Your Possible

At Sherwin-Williams, part of our mission is to help our employees and their families live healthier, save smarter and feel better. This starts with a wide range of world-class benefits designed for you. From retirement to health care, from total well-being to your daily commute—it matters to us. A general description of benefits offered can be found at http://www.myswbenefits.com/. Click on “Candidates” to view benefit offerings that you may be eligible for if you are hired as a Sherwin-Williams employee.

Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and will impact where actual compensation may fall within the stated wage range. The wage range listed for this role takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws including with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act where applicable.

Sherwin-Williams is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law or by contract.

As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Sherwin-Williams requests state and local employment services delivery systems to provide priority referral of Protected Veterans.

Please be aware, Sherwin-Williams recruiting team members will never request a candidate to provide a payment, ask for financial information, or sensitive personal information like national identification numbers, date of birth, or bank account numbers during the application process.

Customer Service: Provide friendly, professional assistance in-store and over the phone.
Sales Support: Maintain displays and assist customers with product recommendations.
Product Knowledge: Understand merchandise to answer questions and ensure inventory accuracy.
Inventory & Merchandising: Restock shelves and support visual merchandising.
Store Operations: Assist with transactions, product prep/mixing, and store upkeep.
Logistics Support: Help unload deliveries and organize stockrooms.
Training & Compliance: Attend training and follow store policies.
Team Collaboration: Support teammates and resolve basic customer concerns.
Project Responsibility: Work on a team-based project addressing a real business challenge.

Minimum Requirements:

Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without needing sponsorship for employment work visa status now or in the future
Must be enrolled in a college or university at the time of the internship or co-op program
Must be able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to retrieve material from shelves and floor stacks and lift and carry up to 50 lbs. frequently and up to 70 lbs. on occasion
Must be willing to work all scheduled hours, which may include evenings and weekends, with or without reasonable accommodation

Preferred Qualifications:

Have a valid, unrestricted Driver’s License
Have at least one (1) year experience working in a delivery, retail, or customer service position
Have previous experience working in a team-oriented setting including work experience, extracurricular activities, military service, etc.
Ability to read, write, comprehend, and communicate in more than one language
Ability to read, write, comprehend, and communicate in Spanish
Be a rising or current Junior or Senior in college or university at the start of the internship program

#SHWEarlyTalent

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