Continuous Improvement Intern

As a Continuous Improvement Intern, you'll gain hands-on experience supporting operational excellence initiatives while working alongside manufacturing and engineering professionals. 

Interns in this role have completed past projects such as leading teams focused on scrap reduction in a manufacturing environment, mass balance work focused on milk solids and water studies, along with Lean trainings including 5S and value stream mappings. 

In this role, you'll contribute to continuous improvement efforts across the facility, working both in the office and on the production floor. You'll collaborate with Associates and leaders to understand processes, identify improvement opportunities, and support projects that drive results. You will also lead a unique CI project of your own, analyze data, and help implement solutions that improve operations. 

What you will be doing: 

1. Support Continuous Improvement (CI) Efforts 

• Learn and document manufacturing processes through process mapping. 
• Attend Managing for Daily Improvement (MDI) meetings and contribute ideas for improvement. 
• Assist with creating and updating Standard Work procedures in the manufacturing environment. 

2. Lead an Improvement Project 

• Partner with a cross-functional team to complete a continuous improvement project. 
• Gather and analyze data, develop recommendations, and help implement solutions when possible. 

3. Provide Support Cross-Functional Teams 

• Conduct research and gather information as needed. 
• Prepare presentations, reports, and other materials. 
• Work with cross-functional teams, such as maintenance, to find solutions 
• May travel to additional plants to support production efforts 

4. Serve as a Manufacturing Floor Resource 

• Be a visible and accessible resource for employees within the assigned facility. 

This internship will provide valuable experience in continuous improvement, manufacturing processes, data analysis, and project management as you work with teams across the facility to identify and implement operational improvements. 

Unique Benefits of our Internship Program:  

• You will get the farm to fork experience during this program. You will experience a farm tour, facility tours, and experience the end user products. 
• Networking events where you will meet executives and community leaders. 
• Internship group outings and events. 
• Volunteer opportunities within the community. 
• Personal development events and training. 

While you don’t have to love pizza to work here…it sure does help!   

Requirements 

• Student in Junior or Senior status working towards a bachelor's degree, preferably in Process Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or another related field  

Preferred Qualifications 

• The ability to define and solve problems, collect data, establish facts, use sound judgement, and draw valid conclusions to make effective decisions and achieve successful problem resolution 
• Involvement in campus organizations, no-class related volunteer work, off-campus employment and demonstrated leadership abilities 
• The ability to communicate and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of Associates 

Why Grande?  

With more than 80 years of crafting “The Finest Italian Cheeses That Money Can Buy”, Grande is a leader in the industry! Whether partnering with independent pizzerias from coast-to-coast to ensure they’re delivering the very best pizza to their customers or assisting our food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to quality can’t be matched. While Grande’s reputation of excellence in the market is important, we believe our commitment to our workplace and community culture is of equal merit – our Associates come first at Grande. To complement our industry-leading benefits, Grande puts an emphasis on your career growth opportunities, while always promoting a positive work/life balance and supporting the communities in which we live and work. If you want to learn more about our company – what we do and how we go about it – or learn more about our beautiful, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters, visit www.grande.com.