Feed Sales Intern - Great Lakes Region
Position Summary:
As a Purina Feed Sales Intern, you will be employed by Land O'Lakes, Inc. and placed in a market with participating dealers and cooperatives. This is a field-based sales internship built for students who want to turn animal nutrition knowledge into real customer conversations, measurable market growth, and a stronger understanding of the dealer/co-op business model. You will work alongside local sales representatives, dealer/co-op leaders, and Purina team members to support customer engagement, territory growth, and species-specific nutrition solutions.
Interns will be provided with training through Purina Animal Nutrition, and the working location is dependent on those of our dealers.
Compensation: $22/hr
Internship Duration:
May – August 2027 (flexible start and end dates)
Internship opportunities are available throughout the Great Lakes Region. Potential locations may include Western Pennsylvania, Western New York, Northern West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, & Wisconsin.
Preferred species focus areas for this region include Beef, Equine, and Dairy Young Animal. Internship assignments will be based on business needs, market demand, candidate interests, and must have available dealer/cooperative partnerships within the region.
What You Will Do:
- Drive Customer Growth - Partner with a Purina dealer or cooperative to identify opportunities for growth within existing customer accounts. You may help introduce new products, expand species offerings, reactivate dormant customers, or support other initiatives designed to increase customer engagement and business performance.
- Build a New Business Pipeline - Identify, research, and engage prospective customers within a targeted species segment such as beef, dairy, equine, swine, or lifestyle. Through ride-alongs and customer interactions, you'll help build a qualified sales pipeline and contribute to new business development efforts.
- Increase Adoption of Priority Product Solutions - Work with customers and sales teams to identify opportunities for expanded use of key Purina nutrition solutions. You'll analyze customer buying patterns, develop recommendations, and support initiatives that drive greater product adoption and customer success.
- Identify Market Growth Opportunities - Evaluate local markets, customer trends, and competitive activity to help uncover untapped opportunities within a territory. You'll develop recommendations and insights that support future growth strategies for sales teams, dealers, and cooperatives.
- Engage Directly with Producers and Customers - Participate in farm visits, customer meetings, educational events, feed trials, and producer programs. You'll gain firsthand experience understanding customer needs while learning how nutrition solutions contribute to animal performance and producer profitability.
Program Structure & Support:
- Interns are Land O’Lakes employees and receive training, mentorship, and support from Purina Animal Nutrition experts.
- Placement is determined by business-driven needs and market demand. Certain placements may involve more than one dealer and cooperative partner.
- Interns spend most of their time on sales activities, with structured projects designed to support business growth and develop sales skills.
Competencies and Qualifications:
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Agriculture, Agribusiness, or related field (Junior status preferred).
- Demonstrated leadership in school, academic, and industry related clubs
- Ability to lift 50 lbs. and work in farm environments.
- Valid, unrestricted driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
- Must be able to live within commuting range of assigned dealer/co-op location.
Preferences:
- Understanding of animal husbandry, nutrition, and feed management practices.
- Previous sales or customer-facing experience preferred.
- Strong communication, writing, and critical thinking abilities.
- Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and implement projects independently.
- Collaborative mindset with openness to feedback and learning.
- Adaptability to changing business environments and customer needs.
About Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.
Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).
Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.
Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.
Land O'Lakes does not use Automated Decision-Making Technology, as defined by California law, to substantially replace human decision-making or make significant decisions about applications for employment or contracting opportunities.