Job Information
West Marine Pro - Sales Operations Intern in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
About West Marine
We don’t just sell anchors and rigging. We sell a love of the water that lasts for generations.
We don’t just sell life jackets and flares. We sell peace of mind for your most precious cargo.
We don’t just have a passion for boating. We have a lifetime of experience that we can’t wait to share with you.
So when you shop at West Marine, it’s not just for boating gear – it’s for the pure pursuit of more water and less hassle.
If you have a passion for being on the water and are looking to join a world-class organization, then West Marine is the place for you! West Marine is recognized as the premier multi-channel retailer of boating and fishing supplies with more than 230 stores located throughout 37 states and Puerto Rico. When you work at West Marine, you’re part of a family; one that values spending quality time on the water, doing the things you love, and sharing that passion with our customers and community.
Position Summary
West Marine Pro is seeking a Pro Sales Operations Intern in the Florida Support Center (FSC) located in Fort Lauderdale, FL to start the summer of 2025.
The West Marine Pro Sales Operations Internship is a paid, 40-hour-per-week, hands-on training program designed to prepare interns for a career in sales, account management, and operations.This program emphasizes relationship building, operational efficiency, and leveraging tools and analytics to drive business success. Interns will gain foundational knowledge of all departments that support the sales organization, including finance, accounting, marketing, and supply chain, while receiving dedicated training on Salesforce CRM tools and sales analytics. During the program, interns will work closely with sales leaders and support teams, engage with Pro Customers and stores, and take part in initiatives that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of sales organization.
Operational Review Presentation
Interns will prepare and deliver a comprehensive presentation to the leadership team at the end of their 10-week internship. This presentation highlights their contributions, key learnings, and growth throughout the program.
The Operational Review connects internship experiences with the core role of a Sales Operations leader at West Marine Pro, serving as a developmental milestone and an opportunity to demonstrate business understanding.
Key Objectives:
Showcase insights into sales performance, operational processes, and client engagement strategies.
Highlight growth in using Salesforce CRM, analyzing sales metrics, and supporting operational excellence.
Reflect on strategic thinking and leadership development gained during the internship.
Facilitated by mentors and leadership, this session fosters meaningful discussions about the intern's impact and prepares them for future leadership roles in sales operations.
Sample Internship Schedule
Week 1: Orientation - Meet the team, review goals, and explore West Marine Pro’s culture and program structure.
Week 2: In-Store Experience - Shadow store leaders to understand daily operations, inventory management, and customer service.
Week 3: Field Sales Shadowing - Spend time in the field shadowing sales representatives to observe customer relationship management.
Week 4: Sales Operations Overview - Learn Salesforce CRM, sales analytics, and cross-functional department collaboration.
Week 5: Driving Sales Performance - Analyze sales data and create strategies to drive profitable growth.
Week 6: Coaching and Team Development - Practice coaching techniques and supporting team and customer relationships.
Week 7: Customer Engagement - Focus on enhancing customer experiences and resolving challenges effectively.
Week 8: Operational Review Preparation - Develop a final presentation summarizing contributions and key learnings.
Week 9: Leadership in Action - Take on leadership responsibilities and implement sales strategies under mentor guidance.
Week 10: Leadership Review - Present your insights to leadership, reflect on development, and discuss career growth.
Primary Responsibilities:
% of Time
Major Activities
40%
Pro Customer Relationship Building
Collaborate with the sales team to build and maintain strong relationships.
Support customer outreach efforts, including prospecting and follow-ups, to identify growth opportunities.
Assist in developing tailored solutions for customers based on their specific needs.
Participate in meetings and presentations, gaining real-world experience in professional sales communication.
30%
Sales Operations and CRM Training
Receive hands-on training on Salesforce CRM tools to manage customer accounts, track sales opportunities, and optimize workflows.
Learn to utilize sales analytics tools to monitor key performance metrics, generate insights, and develop actionable strategies.
Support reporting and data analysis to track business and customer trends, sales opportunities, and team performance.
Assists in compiling business overviews for the Sales Team and other audiences.
Recommends new procedures for increasing the efficiency of day-to-day operations.
Collects feedback from the Sales Team and Stores and funnels to Pro Operations. Develops an action plan to resolve barriers to sales.
Update and maintain accurate CRM records for customer accounts
30%
Collaboration with Supporting Departments
Participate in cross-functional meetings to understand how each department contributes to the sales organization’s success.
Gain insight into budget planning, forecasting, and financial analysis as they relate to sales strategies.
Contribute to the planning and execution of sales events, trade shows, and customer webinars.
Clear communications to Stores, Pro, Field Leadership, Executives, and Support Teams through business and communications tools such as the bulletins, company intranet, email, meetings, and newsletters.
Works with Retail partners to ensure excellent coordination and buy-in on initiatives.
Maintains steady flow of communication with Marketing to ensure the Pro Team has clear directives and campaigns are tracked accordingly.
Works with functional partners such as Ecommerce, IT, and Account Management, to ensure data and functions are up to date.
100%
Education, Experience & Skills:
Category
Applicable Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Minimum education required/preferred, area of study:
Minimum High School or GED required.
Currently enrolled in a 4-year college or university
Minimum years of relevant experience preferred/required:
Interest in B2B sales, sales operations, or the marine industry.
Previous experience in customer service or sales is a plus but not required.
Additional skills/knowledge required include:
Strong problem solving and analytical skills
Are eager to develop professional sales and operational skills.
Sense of urgency and high self-initiative with the ability to work autonomously.
Are self-motivated, organized, and detail-oriented.
Computer literate in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Physical capability of sitting for long hours each workday
This internship offers a mix of in-office and client-facing experiences. Occasional travel may be required to meet with customers or attend industry events.
