Store Executive Intern (Store Leadership Intern) – Central Coast, CA (Starting Summer 2027)

Pay range: $28.50–$30 per hour, based on labor markets, education, work experience, and certifications.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, vision, dental, life insurance, and more) for eligible team members and dependents
• 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 paid, 40-hour-per-week internship is a hands-on training program designed to develop and prepare you for a Store Executive Team Leader (Assistant Store Manager) role. As a Stores Executive Intern, you’ll gain a realistic preview of the Executive Team Leader position over a defined period, working closely with managers and team members to understand Target’s retail business and leadership expectations.

Responsibilities

• Lead team members on the sales floor and in the backroom, aligning them on daily business priorities
• Work alongside your Executive Team Lead (ETL) mentor and other store leaders to understand their roles
• Lead daily operations, including stocking shelves, maintaining a safe and welcoming environment, building displays, and ensuring guest satisfaction
• Partner with leaders to address team member performance through coaching, training, and feedback
• Resolve team member concerns and remove operational hurdles to ensure smooth goal attainment
• Lead and present at daily huddles with peers and leadership
• Plan daily goals and organize operational plans within the store
• Review business reporting and guest insights to troubleshoot and address opportunity areas
• Deliver an exceptional guest experience by empowering team members to resolve guest needs
• Propose new ideas and solutions for business or team improvements
• Seek growth opportunities and continuously learn throughout the internship
• Demonstrate Target’s leadership expectations, including ethical conduct, safety, and compliance
• Foster an inclusive, equitable, and secure culture
• Gain understanding of all business areas to develop business acumen
• Greet and assist guests, ensuring a welcoming and helpful experience
• Perform additional duties as needed

Skills

• Guest service fundamentals and building a guest-first team culture
• Guest engagement, problem-solving, and resolution
• Retail business fundamentals and operational execution
• Setting and planning department workloads to support business priorities
• Managing a team to deliver service and sales goals
• Recruiting, selecting, and talent management of hourly team members and leaders
• Leadership and team motivation
• Driving sales results and merchandising products

Qualifications

• Strong interest in retail management, particularly 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 effectively
• Welcoming and helpful attitude with strong communication skills
• Flexible work schedule (nights, weekends, holidays, and peak shopping times)
• Ability to access all areas of the store to respond to guest or team member issues
• Interpret instructions, reports, and information accurately
• Handle cash register operations as needed
• Climb ladders and move merchandise efficiently and safely, including lifting up to 44 pounds
• Use handheld scanners, frequency devices, and other technology equipment
• Reliable and prompt attendance

Previous retail experience is preferred but not required.