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Early Career Opportunities at Colony Hardware

Leadership development opportunities for interns, new graduates, and early-career professionals.

At Colony Hardware, we keep the construction industry soaring to new heights with same and next-day delivery of the industry's most trusted names in tools, hardware, and supplies. Most importantly, our work helps keep our customers safe so they can return safetyly to their families each day.

As the construction industry is projected to continue a path of steady groth with huge investements in infastructure and the industry, Colony Hardware will continue to grow too. To support this tremedous growth, we need top talent to lead us into the future. Enter our Distribution Leadership Program (DLP) and Distribution Leadership Internship Program.

Whether you are third-year undergraduate student seeking an internship, a senior in your final semester beginning your career search process, Colony's DLP and internship opportunities will set up up for success as a future leader.

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Program Structure

Our program is a dynamically designed 30-week rotational program where you will build a strong foundation in the industry leading to long-term career success. As a future business leader at Colony, you will build relationships, learn the hands-on skills to manage a multi-million-dollar business, and contribute to the growth and development of your team and the broader organization. 

Our program is supplemented with leadership development programming, online learning via our ColonyU platform, and personalized one on one mentorship. You'll gain the skills needed to excel from day one after completing the program.

Participants in our Distribution Leadership Program start their program at one of our 60+ branch locations across the US. Here, you'll collaborate with some of the industry's most experienced and successful distribution management teams. We are committed to providing an enriching experience that benefits both you and Colony's goals. You will complete rotations in: 

• Warehouse operations

• Logistics and distribution

• Branch management

• Purchasing, procurement, and pricing

• Comprehensive sales rotations in inside sales, at the store counter, and shadowing our outside sales team

 

Our Ideal Candidates Have: 

  • A bachelor’s degree in business, management, supply chain, marketing, professional sales, or a related field.
  • An open mind and willingness to travel and potentially relocate. 
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • A sense of urgency and commitment to excellent customer service. 
  • Openness to exploring and working in various areas of the business.
  • A problem solving attitude with a focus on achieving goals. 

Benefits & Perks 

Two Assigned Mentors: Receive personalized guidance and support from experienced mentors throughout your program. One at the peer level from our more senior leadership team.  

Cohort Style Experience: Connect and grow with a group of peers, fostering a collaborative learning environment. 

Dedicated Program Manager: Benefit from continuous support and assistance from a dedicated program manager.

Competitive Benefits: Enjoy comprehensive and industry competitive healthcare benefits, a bonus plan, a company-matched 401K plan, and financial relocation support as well as many more benefits as a full-time employee. 

Jack has successfully completed his rotations and is now serving as an Operations Supervisor in Fort Meyers, FL.

Jack Wilton

North Carolina State University
DLP Class of 2023

Jacob is still completing his rotations but hopes to work in sales!

Jacob Schaible

University of Florida
DLP Class of 2024

Macy is in the midst of her rotations and is looking forward to seeing which path she ends up going down!

Macy Lowery

North Carolina State University
DLP Class of 2024

Bobby completed his rotations, started in purchasing, and then moved into a role as an Operations Supervisor in Greenville, SC.

Bobby Ference

University of South Carolina
DLP Class of 2022

Malina has successfully completed her rotations and is now an ERP analyst based in our Nashville, TN branch.

Malina Kilgore

University of Tennessee '23

Malina has successfully completed her rotations and is now an ERP analyst based in our Nashville, TN branch.

Malina Kilgore

University of Tennessee '23

Hear Directly From Program Participants

The program equips you with a multitude of skills early on so you can hit the ground running no matter what field in Colony you are trying to pursue. I have improved technical skills like Excel and learning new ERP systems, but I have also gained soft skills like communication and problem solving. 

Jack Wilton

North Carolina State University
DLP Class of 2023

Learn More

The Distribution Leadership Program is a great way to start your career because it helps you understand the overall goal of our business and helps expose you to other positions within the company so your learning experience is consistently growing. I've received valuable advice from my mentor on our monthly calls and they have helped me think outside the box.

Jacob Schaible

University of Florida
DLP Class of 2024

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The relocation aspect of this program has been very beneficial because it has pushed me both in my professional and personal life.  The DLP really allows you to expand your professional network and pushes you outside your comfort zone to benefit your career. I have made so many connections in a short period of time that I know will last my career. 

Macy Lowery

North Carolina State University
DLP Class of 2024

Learn More

In a leadership program, you learn to be a problem solver, a team coordinator, how to adapt to new problems, and so much more. You are given lots of responsibility and are allowed to work on high-level, long-term projects that will have a significant impact on the business. Having this exposure and connectivity with great leadership is bound to mold you into a great leader yourself.

Bobby Ference

University of South Carolina
DLP Class of 2022

Learn More

One of the main goals of the program is to help advance throughout Colony. In the 30-week rotational program you get exposed to almost every aspect of the business. Having exposure to and the understanding of all areas in the business gives you a well-rounded approach going into your next role. Being a part of the program also gives you many opportunities to meet and form relationships with people in all levels of the company, being seen and known goes a long way in your career. 

Malina Kilgore

University of Tennessee '23

Learn More

One of the main goals of the program is to help advance throughout Colony. In the 30-week rotational program you get exposed to almost every aspect of the business. Having exposure to and the understanding of all areas in the business gives you a well-rounded approach going into your next role. Being a part of the program also gives you many opportunities to meet and form relationships with people in all levels of the company, being seen and known goes a long way in your career. 

Malina Kilgore

University of Tennessee '23

Learn More

Relocating and Our Footprint

Targeting Training & Placement: You'll start in one of our designated training branches, carefully selected bsed on business needs, leadership reccomendations, and unique fit. This ensures you gain the most relevant experience from the start. 

Training Branchs: 

  • Orange, CT (Headquarters)
  • Grand Prairie, TX
  • Chicago, IL
  • Orlando, FL

Post Program Mobility: Upon completing the 30-week program, you'll transition to one of our 60+ branches across the U.S. We'll consider available opportunities, your business line of interest, and geographic preferences to find the best fit for your career launch. 

Featured Early Career Media

Check out Colony Hardware Early Career Program Overview on the Internship Show! 

 

Follow along for a day in the life of both our DLPs and interns in these YouTube shorts.

A Day in the Life of a Full-Time DLP based in Orlando, FL and our Intern in Grand Prairie, TX.

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