Store Executive Intern (Store Leadership Intern) - Buffalo/Rochester/Syracuse, NY (Starting Summer 2027)

Pay range: $26.25–$27.00 per hour, based on factors such as labor markets, education, work experience, and certifications.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits and programs for eligible team members and their dependents, including medical, vision, dental, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee discount
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Paid sick leave
• Paid national holidays
• Paid vacation

About the role

This internship is a paid, 40-hour-per-week, hands-on training program designed to develop and prepare you for store leadership. As a Stores Executive Intern, you’ll gain a realistic preview of the Executive Team Leader role (Assistant Store Manager) over a defined period. You’ll work closely with managers and team members to understand how Target’s retail business operates and what it takes to excel in a management role.

The majority of your time will be spent leading the team, identifying and working toward store priorities, and delivering great guest service. You’ll be introduced to multiple areas of the store’s business while focusing on leadership development.

Responsibilities

• Spend time on the sales floor and in the backroom leading team members and aligning them on daily business priorities
• Work alongside your Executive Team Lead (ETL) mentor and other leaders to understand their roles
• Lead daily priorities such as stocking shelves, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment, building displays, and maintaining store presentation
• Partner with leaders on team member performance through teaching, coaching, training, and delivering timely feedback
• Address team member concerns and remove hurdles to ensure smooth operations and goal attainment
• Lead and present at daily huddles with peers and leadership
• Plan daily goals and organize operational plans within the store
• Provide summaries of results and priorities to leadership
• Set and review daily goals and expectations with store leaders
• Review business reporting and guest insights to troubleshoot and follow up on opportunities
• Deliver an exceptional guest experience by empowering team members to resolve guest issues
• Propose new ideas and recommend solutions for business or team opportunities
• Seek growth and development opportunities throughout the internship
• Learn and apply Target’s leadership expectations through questions and feedback
• Actively participate in training, developmental opportunities, and events
• Demonstrate ethical conduct, safety, and compliance; hold others accountable to these standards
• Work safely, identify and correct hazards, and comply with safety policies
• Foster an inclusive, equitable, safe, and secure culture
• Gain an understanding of all business areas to develop business acumen
• Greet guests, assist with their needs, and thank them for shopping at Target
• Perform other duties as needed based on business requirements

Skills

• Guest service fundamentals and experience building a guest-first team culture
• Guest engagement, problem-solving, and resolution
• Retail business fundamentals
• Setting and planning department workloads to support business priorities
• Managing a team to deliver service and sales goals
• Leading hourly team members and team leaders while creating business strategies and goals
• Recruiting, selecting, and talent management of hourly team members and leaders

Qualifications

• Enjoy interacting and helping others, including guests and team members
• Thrive in a fast-moving, physically demanding role with teamwork, flexibility, and creative problem-solving
• Open to a flexible work schedule with varying hours, days, or shifts (including nights, weekends, holidays, and peak shopping times)
• Previous retail experience preferred but not required
• Strong interest in retail management, specifically within Target stores
• Leadership skills and team-oriented thinking
• Ability to learn and adapt to current technology needs
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Manage workload and prioritize tasks
• Welcoming and helpful attitude with effective communication skills
• Ability to access all areas of the building to respond to guest or team member issues
• Interpret instructions, reports, and information accurately
• Handle cash register operations as needed
• Climb up and down ladders as needed
• Scan, handle, and move merchandise efficiently and safely, including frequently lifting or moving up to 44 pounds
• Use handheld scanners, frequency devices, and other technology equipment as directed
• Reliable and prompt attendance