About the role#
This internship provides immersive, strategic-level experience within the Graco Category Marketing team. You will lead a defined strategic project for an assigned customer segment under the mentorship of the Director of Category Marketing. The role is designed for MBA candidates interested in category marketing, product marketing, strategic marketing, or general management. You will work on a high-value project that addresses a real business opportunity and has the potential to shape future growth.
What you'll do#
- Lead a high-impact strategic project focused on a real business opportunity or challenge.
- Work with a Category Marketing leader to define the project scope, conduct analysis, and develop recommendations.
- Apply market research, customer insights, and business strategy concepts to address meaningful business questions.
- Conduct market, customer, and competitive research to understand industry trends.
- Analyze Voice of Customer feedback and other data sources to identify key insights.
- Collaborate with teams across product management, sales, channel marketing, and corporate marketing.
- Coordinate with internal subject matter experts to validate research findings.
- Participate in team meetings, project reviews, and business discussions.
- Build skills in strategic thinking, business analysis, and problem solving.
- Develop and deliver a professional executive-level presentation to senior leaders.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing an MBA with an expected graduation date within 12 to 18 months of the internship.
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Prior experience in marketing, business strategy, or vertical-specific market development is preferred.
- Ability to work as a team collaborator in multi-functional or global settings.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize research into clear recommendations.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, including comfort presenting to senior leadership.
- Ability to manage ambiguity and drive a project forward with limited day-to-day direction.
- Legal authorization to work in the United States. Please note that this role is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.
Location & details#
- Location: Dayton, Minnesota.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Modality: On-site.
- Employment: Full-time, paid internship.
- Pay range: $21.00 to $28.00 per hour.
About Graco
Graco designs and produces fluid handling equipment for a wide range of industries. Founded in 1926, the company operates in the machinery manufacturing sector. It serves customers in fields such as aerospace, automotive, and packaging. The organization is based in Minneapolis and employs between 1,001 and 5,000 people.
How to get in at Graco
Applying early to Graco gives you a distinct advantage because recruiters review applications before the pile grows. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, so you can submit your materials among the first candidates. Getting your resume in early often means it is seen by a human rather than an automated filter. You can use Intern Insider to identify the specific recruiters behind Graco roles and reach out to them directly. Asking a thoughtful question about the internship or requesting a referral can materially improve your response rates compared to submitting into a general queue. Connecting with a real person shows you have done your research and are serious about the position.
