2026 Management & Sales Training Program (Chicago Metro - North)

Sherwin-Williams
Lake in the Hills, IL, United States

Retail
Full-time
management training program
retail sales management
store management

Our job summary

The 2026 Management & Sales Training Program at Sherwin-Williams is an entry-level, accelerated development opportunity designed to prepare candidates for store management roles within 18-24 months through hands-on training in sales, leadership, and operations. Trainees will gain experience managing customer relationships, handling large-volume commercial sales, and supporting store administration. The program emphasizes career growth, leadership development, and professional networking in a retail environment focused on paint and coatings products.

This requisition is for 2026 start dates only. If you are seeking employment within the current year (2025), please search for an open requisition in your preferred area.

The Sherwin-Williams Management & Sales Training Program is an accelerated, entry-level position designed to prepare you for a Store Management role in 18-24 months. With Sherwin-Williams’ promote-from-within philosophy, you will have the opportunity to progress into an Assistant Store Manager position upon successful completion of the initial 8-week training.

This position’s typical schedule is 44 hours per week, which may include evenings and/or weekends.

During the program, you will collaborate with store management to oversee a million-dollar business, providing leadership and insight into the development and strategy of that store. Through the course of the program, you will learn all operations, clients, and internal strategy, allowing you to understand the significant part you’ll play in the team’s success. You will grow the company’s market share by selling to large, commercial users such as painting contractors, purchasing agents, manufacturers, and other commercial users who need large volumes of our high-quality products.

Our training experience provides you with all the skills necessary for a successful career in management and professional sales. After you complete the training program, you can count on a career trajectory with a clear beginning and an open end – meaning you shape your future!

What you will gain:

Limitless Career Opportunities

This structured program provides the support you need, including formal discussions to review your objectives & development

Leadership Development

You’ll develop the foundation for what it takes to become a successful leader in our organization

We’ll teach you how to excel at customer service, sales, and marketing, finance, and operations

Professional Networking

You will also get out into the community and establish relationships essential to growing our business - and your success.

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.

Complete training consistent with established program
Support business strategies to increase sales and optimize profitability
Ensure high levels of customers satisfaction through excellent service
Build and maintain knowledge of all products to ensure effective customer recommendations
Build positive relationships with wholesale and retail customers
Complete store administration
Ensure compliance with policies and procedures including safety, loss prevention, and security
Maintain outstanding store condition and visual merchandising standards, including promotional packages and sales floor displays
Support employee training, development, performance management, and corrective action
Respond to and resolve any customer and/or employee complaints
Partner with Store Manager to make outside sales calls to increase market share

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 have a valid, unrestricted Driver’s License
Must have at least a bachelor's degree by the start of this development 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

Preferred Qualifications:

Have at least one (1) year experience working in a retail, sales, or customer service position
Have at least one (1) year of experience in leadership role(s), supervising others, or leading teams
Have previous experience working in a team-oriented setting including work experience, extracurricular activities, military service, etc.
Have previous work experience selling paint and paint related products
Have work experience using timekeeping and/or customer relationship management ("CRM") systems
Willingness to relocate for future job opportunities
Ability to read, write, comprehend, and communicate in more than one language
Ability to read, write, comprehend, and communicate in Spanish

#SHWEarlyTalent

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