Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed the growth of celebrity chefs, an increased emphasis on nutrition, the proliferation of food television programming and the rise of food culture.
Have you ever dreamed of dipping your toe in these waters? Now you can.
It’s a little like a having a front-row seat to the food industry, except this experience is more interactive. Translation: Get ready to roll up your sleeves.
Wakefern interns don’t just punch a timecard. They visit fish markets, tour warehouses, write press releases, enhance sustainability programs, help with food safety, network with executives, work golf tournaments and post on the company’s social media platforms.
And that’s just part of it.
At the beginning of every summer, each Wakefern intern is paired with a seasoned food industry professional. These professionals serve as mentors – or better yet, tour guides – to help interns navigate the complexities of the supermarket world.
The experience doesn’t start and end in our offices and warehouses. We partner with other food companies in our region to offer interns a view through a different lens. One year our interns traveled to Campbell Soup Company; another year, they took a trip to Woodstock Farms.
In an internship full of exciting opportunities, one of the most interesting may be Wakefern’s Big Idea Competition. Interns form teams and spend the summer collaborating on the next “big idea” for Wakefern and ShopRite. In August, interns present their projects to a panel of Wakefern executives and store owners. Some of our company’s best ideas – including our wildly successful Round Up for Change program – were developed during this competition.
“Wakefern’s internship program provides the company with a great opportunity to bring talented, dynamic and creative individuals into the Wakefern family,” said Wakefern President and COO Joe Sheridan.
Ideal candidates have demonstrated leadership ability, are highly motivated and driven individuals who are eager to learn and positively impact Wakefern Food Corp. and its members. To be considered for this program, applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills and a working knowledge of the retail industry.
Requirements
Ideal candidates have demonstrated leadership ability, are highly motivated and driven individuals who are eager to learn and positively impact Wakefern Food Corp. and its members. To be considered for this program, applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, excellent interpersonal and problem solving skills and a working knowledge of the retail industry.
Program Concentrations
Information Technology
Subject Areas: Coding, Program Maintenance, and Project Management Trainees are prepared to become programmer analysts, the initial step towards a Project Management position in our organization. In this role individuals support program coding and debugging, program modifications and maintenance, program testing, and program documentation and roll out.
Procurement
Subject Areas: Category Management, Corporate Marketing, Merchandising and Advertising Trainees assigned to the Procurement Track are trained to become Analysts, the first step toward a Buyer role in our organization. In this position, individuals procure merchandise for more than 250 ShopRite supermarkets.
Logistics
Subject Areas: Retail Logistics, Warehouse Distribution and Supply Chain Management Trainees assigned to the Logistics Track learn all aspects of warehousing, transportation, receiving and distribution of product. In this track, the trainee will learn the skills necessary to become supervisors within our various distribution centers.
Support Services
Subject Areas: Consumer & Corporate Communications, Corporate and Retail Finance, Engineering and Human Resources Support Services is comprised of all divisions in our organization that do not procure or distribute products in the ShopRite stores. A Trainee’s assignment will vary and is determined based on the Trainee’s background and interest as well as the Company’s needs.
What We Offer
The Leaders-In-Training program includes extensive on-the-job training along with the opportunity to continue professional education through our in-house learning and development courses. Trainees are exposed to many aspects of our diverse workplace throughout the program which offers great networking opportunities. Upon completion of the program, the trainee’s success is reviewed for potential permanent placement within the organization.
The starting salary is based on the individual’s experience and skills. The trainees receive our highly competitive benefits package, which includes life insurance, medical, dental, vision, prescription plan, tuition reimbursement, 401(k) and retirement planning.
Additionally, you will participate in all life-cycle activities in support of various IT projects which includes, but is not limited to: working with the technical leader, technical staff, and users on development of new systems as well as modifications to existing systems; meeting milestones for assigned tasks based on project plan; participating in code review, unit testing and integration testing; and documenting system design and modifications to existing systems. Individuals on this Technical Track will be required to participate in retail based projects at our retail stores as business need dictates.