Job Description

Job Location: IL - Rock Island - Rock Island, IL 61201
Position Type: Internship
Salary Range: $19.23 - $19.23 Hourly

We are seeking a creative and business-minded Product Development & Design Intern to join our Purchasing team at our Rock Island, IL location. This 12-week paid internship is designed for students or recent graduates interested in bringing products to life within a B2B distribution environment — from concept and design through sourcing, costing, and go-to-market execution. Interns will work cross-functionally with product development, sourcing, marketing, and sales teams on real product initiatives.
If you’re passionate about product design, consumer trends, and building commercially successful products, we encourage you to apply.
Pay: $19.23/hour
Key Responsibilities:
- Support product lifecycle activities from concept through launch
- Assist with competitive research, trend analysis, and market reviews
- Participate in concept development, brainstorming, and design refinement
- Support material selection, construction reviews, and specification development
- Assist with vendor sourcing, factory communications, and supplier comparisons
- Support product costing, margin analysis, and profitability exercises
- Participate in prototype and sample reviews, tracking revisions and feedback
- Support quality assurance, compliance, and testing processes
- Assist with packaging structure development and branding alignment
- Support go-to-market materials including line sheets and sales tools
- Prepare presentations, summaries, and project documentation
- Collaborate cross-functionally with sourcing, marketing, sales, and operations teams
- Participate in an end-to-end capstone product development project
- Perform additional administrative and project-based duties as assigned

Qualifications
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Product Development, Industrial Design, Fashion Merchandising, Marketing, Business, or related field
- Strong interest in product creation, design, sourcing, and brand development
- Portfolio, coursework, or project experience preferred but not required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong creative thinking and problem-solving skills
- Strong attention to detail and organizational abilities
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); design tools a plus
- Ability to analyze trends, pricing, and competitive landscapes
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage time, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks
- Willingness to learn, take feedback, and grow professionally
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and reliability
Why This Role:
- Hands-on experience in full product development lifecycle
- Exposure to sourcing, costing, quality, branding, and go-to-market execution
- Opportunity to contribute to real product launches
- Mentorship from experienced product and design professionals
- Strong resume-building experience in product development and design
Benefits:
- Paid internship opportunity
- Professional development and mentorship
- Real-world product development experience
- Networking opportunities across product, sourcing, and commercial teams