Category Management Intern

Who We Are

At Lindt, we are a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We are driven by our passion for excellence and go the extra mile ensuring that every Lindt experience is nothing short of exceptional. Our collective efforts are geared towards making a positive impact, not only in the world of premium chocolate but also in the lives of our employees, customers, and communities. Our company embraces a culture defined by the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment where these principles drive our success.

What To Expect as a Lindtern:

Our twelve-week Lindternship program gives undergraduate and graduate students hands-on experience, practical skill development, and the opportunity to contribute to projects that directly affect our business. During the summer, each intern is paired with a mentor and participates in career-development workshops and networking events with colleagues across the organization. The program is designed for students who are passionate, curious, eager to learn, and ready to make an impact in the premium chocolate industry.

This position is based at Lindt's satellite office in Mason, Ohio, and is expected to work onsite four to five days per week.

Position Purpose:

The Category Analyst Summer Intern will support Lindt's Category Management team, with an initial focus on the Kroger business. The intern will apply retail, shopper, and category data to identify opportunities involving assortment, merchandising, shelf execution, and store segmentation. Through meaningful project ownership, the intern will translate analysis into concise, actionable recommendations and present findings to Lindt's customer team. This role is ideal for a curious, analytical, and organized student seeking hands-on experience in category management, shopper insights, retail analytics, and cross-functional collaboration.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities:

• Analyze retail, syndicated, shopper, and other available data to identify category trends, business opportunities, and performance drivers. This role provides exposure to industry-leading tools such as including Circana (PO$, Panel), Kroger (84.51, Market 6), Numerator, etc.
• Support planogram and merchandising analyses by reviewing shelf layouts, assortment, distribution, placement, and space productivity across stores or customer formats. This role provides exposure to Blue Yonder JDA Space Planning assortment tool.
• Assist with store clustering and shopper segmentation work to identify localized assortment and merchandising opportunities.
• Develop clear, unbiased, and actionable recommendations that support category growth and customer objectives.
• Create concise business stories and presentation materials that synthesize data, shopper insights, and marketplace trends for internal or customer-facing discussions.
• Partner with Category Management, Sales, Shopper Insights, and other cross-functional teams to advance assigned projects and understand retailer strategy.
• Support the organization, standardization, and maintenance of category data, analytical workspaces, planogram files, and shared resources.
• Own assigned project deliverables, communicate progress, and present final findings and recommendations to the Category Management team.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Experience:

• Coursework, projects, internships, or student leadership experience involving business analysis, marketing, consumer insights, retail, or related disciplines preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience working with data and creating presentations preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and complete project work with attention to detail.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills.
• Clear written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively while also working independently with guidance.
• Curiosity about shoppers, retailers, consumer packaged goods, and the confection candy category.
• Experience with syndicated data, shopper data, retail portals, or space-planning tools is a plus, but not required.

Education:

• Current sophomore, junior, or senior enrolled in an accredited undergraduate degree program.
• Preferred fields of study include Category Management, Business Analytics, Marketing, Consumer Insights, or a related fields.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to work onsite in the Mason, Ohio office four to five days per week during the twelve-week summer internship program.
• Will require travel to Lindt's headquarters in Stratham, New Hampshire, multiple times during the program. Travel expenses will be paid by Lindt.

Total Rewards:

Compensation: $20 per hour

Applicants for this position must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The company will not sponsor applicants for this position for work visas.

Lindt USA's salary range reflects market rates based on our size, revenue, and location. Starting pay is determined using a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, job-related skills, knowledge, and experience as well as market conditions. A bonus and/or long-term incentive may be included as part of this compensation package.

Lindt and Sprüngli is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or any other classification protected by state, local or federal law. Applicants for this position must successfully pass a background screening and may be required to pass drug screenings as well.

If you are looking to join a winning team and fast-track your career, contact us!

Join us on our journey of excellence, impact, and growth #LifeAtLindt