PURPOSE OF POSITION: To provide an opportunity for learning and engagement in various functional areas within the Retail system. Position will serve in various capacities within each functional area which will allow for on-the-job training. The program allows for the opportunity to develop specialized knowledge, skills and operational experience for the intern while assisting the location in meeting its operations objectives.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Phase I - Week 1; Assigned to Manager, SSC West Broad Street Service for general overview and initial assignments. Focus areas will be a general understanding of Southern States and the complexity of the business. Clear expectations of the goals/objectives; roles and responsibilities, along with expectations from the program will be covered.
2. Phase II - Week 2 and 3; SSC - West Broad Street Service; under close supervision, perform duties as assigned by immediate supervisor. Shadow other employees to learn techniques to deliver high quality customer service while assisting customers in locating and selecting products. Set up promotional displays; unload supplies; stock shelves; count inventory; operate point of sale.
3. Phase III - Weeks 3 and 4 - Perform nursery responsibilities, (if applicable) such as watering plants, stocking and moving inventory; assisting customers. Perform warehouse duties in filling customer orders and rotating inventory as needed.
4. Phase IV - Week 5 - Ride with the District Manager, Agronomist, FSTR and Regional Marketing and Merchandising Managers (RMMM) to gain an understanding of the role and importance each position plays in the organization. May engage in farm calls and visits.
5. Phase VI - Week 6 - Work with Bookkeeper to learn more of the day to day operations with invoicing; scheduling and coordination; customer service, billing, troubleshooting and the behind the scenes services. Will work along side associates to assist in areas of the location while shadowing other employees to gain additional knowledge of working in a retail environment.
6. Phase VIII - Week 8 - Spend a few days visiting various divisions within the Corporate Office to gain a better knowledge of the entire organizations' role in servicing our customers.
7. Phase VIII - Week 9 and 10 - Visit wholesale facilities to gain a better understanding of the wholesale business. Finish working up at West Broad Street Service. Recap report to include observations within each phase, relationship to their coursework, positives/negatives as well as "learnings" from their internship.

Must be currently enrolled in a fully accredited college/university. Requiresgood written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills and customer service orientation. Must be team-oriented and skilled in working within a collaborative environment.

Requires physical strength and dexterity to walk, stand, bend, climb, reach, stoop, twist and lift/carry 50 pounds. Vision, hearing and speech essential. Hand coordination to use computer. May require a valid drivers license. While traveling may have contact with hazardous materials and drive/travel and work in adverse weather conditions.