(UGLY Project – Sustainability & Surplus Distribution Initiative)
Role Overview
The Sales & Business Development Intern will support the growth and market expansion of the UGLY Project, a sustainability-driven initiative focused on reducing food waste by redistributing surplus and “imperfect” products through digital channels.
This role is ideal for a proactive, results-oriented intern who wants hands-on experience in market research, partnership building, revenue generation, and startup growth strategy.
Key Responsibilities
1. Market Research & Opportunity Identification
- Conduct research on target markets (micro-retailers, community resellers, corporate buyers, online consumers).
- Identify potential distribution channels and partnership opportunities.
- Analyze competitor pricing, positioning, and sales strategies.
2. Lead Generation & Outreach
- Build and maintain a prospect database.
- Initiate outreach via email, calls, or social media to potential partners and clients.
- Schedule meetings or presentations with qualified leads.
3. Partnership Development
- Assist in negotiating basic partnership terms (under supervision).
- Explore collaborations with:
- Community resellers
- Corporate bulk buyers
- Sustainability-focused organizations
- E-commerce platforms
- Support onboarding of new partners.
4. Sales Operations Support
- Track sales pipeline and conversion metrics.
- Monitor weekly sales performance.
- Help refine pricing strategies and promotional offers.
- Assist in forecasting demand for surplus inventory.
5. Revenue Strategy & Expansion
- Propose new monetization models.
- Identify upselling or bundling opportunities.
- Support expansion into new market segments.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Number of leads generated per week
- Number of partnership meetings scheduled
- Conversion rate of leads to active accounts
- Revenue contribution during internship period
- Market research reports delivered
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the internship, the intern will gain:
- Real-world sales and negotiation experience
- Exposure to startup growth strategy
- Experience building partnerships from zero
- Understanding of sustainability-driven business models
- Data-driven sales decision-making skills