We are seeking motivated and enthusiastic individuals to join our team as Retail Interns for the summer of 2025. Fleet Feet's 10-week-long summer internship program will allow interns to put classroom learning into practice. The retail internship is an in-store position based in the Monterey and Aptos, CA stores. 

This internship provides hands-on experience in various aspects of retail management, including leadership, business operations, community outreach, and vendor relationships. Interns will gain valuable insights into the retail industry and develop key skills in people leadership, business acumen, and community engagement.

Fleet Feet's paid summer internship program is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce by actively seeking out and engaging with promising individuals from underrepresented communities. Through this program, we strive to dismantle systemic barriers and bridge disparities in access to opportunities. By embracing interns of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, orientations, and abilities, our internship program aims to foster a vibrant and inclusive workplace culture that celebrates uniqueness and empowers all to thrive while contributing to our Fleet Feet success.

The deadline to submit applications is November 8, 2024.

What You'll Gain:

• Hands-on experience in retail management and operations.
• Exposure to leadership and business strategies.
• Opportunities to build professional networks with company leaders, peers, and community partners.
• A comprehensive understanding of the retail industry and the skills necessary for success.
• Growth through continuous coaching, mentoring, and feedback.
• Presentation and effective communication skills.
• Opportunity to travel to Fleet Feet’s Headquarters in Carrboro, North Carolina twice during the internship.

Key Responsibilities & Learnings:

Day-to-Day

• Daily tasks and schedules will be coordinated with your manager
• Salesfloor (Outfitting) responsibilities should not exceed 20 hours per week.

People Leadership

• Attend and observe one-on-one meetings between key leadership roles.
• Participate in weekly leadership team meetings and various operational calls.
• Assist in creating agendas and leading staff meetings.
• Lead a training initiative, such as product category training or a Weekly Warmup session.

Business Acumen

• Review Profit & Loss (P&L) statements to understand financial performance.
• Assist with inventory management, including cycle counts and handling non-sellable items or return authorizations (RAs).
• Develop an action plan to address an area of concern in metrics.

Community Outreach

• Assist with medical drop-offs and meet with community partners to strengthen relationships.
• Participate in community events and fun runs.
• Create social media campaigns to promote brand visibility.
• Engage with the training program events and contribute to community-building efforts.

Vendor Relationships

• Collaborate with vendors to organize events and write post-event recaps.
• Assist with vendor-led tech sessions for the team, ensuring that team members are well-informed about product offerings.

Project:

• The intern will be tasked with creating a SWOT analysis of the market, focusing on People Leadership, Business Acumen, Community Outreach, and Vendor Relationships.

• Currently enrolled in a college or university undergraduate program, preferably with a focus on Business, Marketing, Retail Management, or a related field.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Passion for retail and community engagement.
• Curious, dedicated, and driven individuals.
• Ability to work 40 hours per week during internship dates

Perks:

• High energy and fun atmosphere
• Training and advancement opportunities within the Fleet Feet brand
• Community involvement and community service activities
• Training program and product discounts
• Hardworking team members
• Competitive pay

We believe Running Changes Everything. If you believe that, too, we want to talk. With more than 270 stores and a robust e-commerce site, Fleet Feet is the largest running retailer in the country. Catering to more than runners, we pride ourselves on having an inclusive environment! We believe it’s a privilege to serve and remain committed to delivering unmatched service and support when outfitting customers in everything they need to have a successful run, whether that’s introducing them to their new favorite running shoes, socks, or gear, or inviting them to our next training program run. We like to keep things high-spirited, fast-paced, and fun. We don’t mind wearing more than a few hats and stepping in to help out wherever is needed. Our team is a group of knowledgeable and hardworking individuals who work, sweat, and live passionately. We run together to tackle a problem, reach a goal, get encouraged, and nurture our brand each day. We are in full pursuit to find hardworking people to join us on our quest and bring our core values to life.

We are an equal opportunity employer and believe having diverse teams in which everyone brings their whole self to Fleet Feet is key to our success. We welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. That is why we value diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices, our culture, and our engagement with the community.  Learn more about our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. 

Additional Requirements:  Hours of work for this position may vary based on work schedule. Position requires moving around for periods of 2-4 hours without a rest break task sequencing, and using point-of-sale computers. Occasional moderate to heavy (10-25+lb) lifting and carrying, bending and reaching overhead may be required. Work environment includes substantial communication with customers, working in a retail environment with product displays and stockroom with inventory, and potentially slippery surfaces.

Fleet Feet utilizes E-Verify in all corporate and company-operated stores as part of the hiring process.