Foodservice Sales & Marketing Intern

Job Description

Foodservice Sales & Marketing Intern | Affinity Group

The Tone:
This is a paid internship at Affinity Group, a recognized foodservice sales and marketing agency certified as a Great Place to Work. Affinity Group leverages decades of expertise and a localized, consultative approach to drive brand awareness and increase market demand for its clients. This internship is designed for passionate and professional students seeking credit toward their degree, offering hands-on experience in foodservice sales, marketing, and client relations. Interns will work alongside experienced professionals across various departments, including Marketing, Data Analytics, Culinary, and Sales, contributing directly to the business and supporting local sales teams. The role provides an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of driving client growth and building relationships within the industry.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Temporary (8-10 weeks; specific 8-week program June 1st through July 24th)
• Location: Farmers Branch, TX

• Team: Collaborates with corporate Marketing, Data Analytics, Culinary, and Sales departments.
• Mission: Gain hands-on experience in foodservice sales, marketing, and client relations by supporting local sales teams and contributing to business growth.
• Tech Stack: CRM systems, Data Essential platform, Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel), Power BI, Canva or Adobe Suite.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Sales Support: Prepare and present food samples for sales meetings and operator presentations, and actively participate in product-focused sales calls alongside the local sales team.
• Marketing Development: Contribute to the development of marketing materials, including brochures, presentations, and sales collateral, and conduct research on industry trends, competitors, and market strategies using the Data Essential platform.
• Data Management: Assist with data entry and management within CRM systems.
• Event & Warehouse Assistance: Provide on-site support at food shows, sales meetings, and operator presentations, and support warehouse operations by organizing and preparing products for sales activities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with corporate teams, including Marketing, Culinary, and Data Analytics, to gain a well-rounded understanding of our business operations. The role focuses approximately 70% on sales, 15% on marketing, and 15% on client management.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently pursuing a degree in Business Management, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field, with the intent to earn credit toward their degree. Ideal candidates are creative and enthusiastic about food, demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Experience: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) is required, alongside the ability to analyze data in Power BI, forecast predictions, and propose solutions. This role requires a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and reliable transportation, as travel up to 20% of the time with sales representatives to client meetings and food shows may be required.
• Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for professional interaction at all levels; a creative mindset with keen attention to detail; the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a team; self-motivated and driven to succeed, demonstrating a proactive approach to tasks and ownership of responsibilities; and excellent time management skills to balance multiple priorities effectively.
• Bonus: Familiarity with design tools such as Canva or Adobe Suite is considered a plus.