E-commerce Business Development Intern – Merchant Acquisition

Job Description

Category Manager Intern (TikTok Shop – Operations) | TikTok

The Tone:
This is an internship at TikTok, supporting its US operations for TikTok Shop. TikTok is a leading platform for short-form mobile video, with a global mission to inspire creativity and bring joy. The company is actively building its e-commerce ecosystem, the TikTok Shop, to deliver high-quality products and unique customer experiences to its more than 1 billion loyal users. This role is crucial for scaling the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt phenomenon and pioneering Content & Creator commerce in the US, aiming to establish TikTok as the leading, on-trend shopping destination for brands, creators, and shoppers.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Temporary
• Pay: $38 hourly
• Team: TikTok Shop US Operation Team
• Mission: Acquire and incubate merchants to support category growth and discover innovative collaborative models for TikTok Shop.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Merchant Acquisition: Acquire and incubate new merchants to support growth within specific product categories.
• Strategic Partnership Development: Discover and implement innovative collaborative models that align with merchant development plans, effectively investing platform resources.
• Business Problem Solving: Address key challenges in business growth through strong collaboration with various cross-functional teams.
• Client Consultation: Provide strategic content, creator/affiliate/agency partner, merchandising, and logistical solutions using a consultative approach.
• Product Updates: Inform clients about new TikTok Shop product developments and available promotional opportunities.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently pursuing an MBA Degree.
• Experience: Ability to commit to working for 12 weeks during Summer Fall 2026.
• Skills: Strong analytical skills with a good data sense and structured thinking; excellent communication and cross-team collaboration abilities for moving projects forward; quick learning ability, proactive, resilient, and adaptable to thrive in ambiguity and change.
• Bonus: Graduation in December 2026 or later, intending to return to the degree program after the internship; prior internship or full-time experience in an e-commerce marketplace business or retail category management; familiarity with the TikTok content ecosystem, shoppable content, and brand-creator partnerships.