Department Manager Intern - Summer 2026 (Pella, IA)

Pella Corporation • Pella, IA

4h • Onsite

About The Position

Pella Corporation is hiring Department Manager Interns in Pella, IA for Summer 2026. This is a hands-on, on‑the‑floor leadership internship in manufacturing. You will partner with a Department Manager to support safety, schedule, quality, and team engagement while learning daily management routines and contributing to continuous improvement. Interns gain practical experience in department operations and lead a scoped improvement project (for example, reducing defects, easing bottlenecks, or improving flow).

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations/Industrial Technology, Supply Chain, Business/Management, or a related field.
• On-site availability in Pella, IA for a full‑time summer internship (approximately 10–12 weeks).
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and teamwork skills; ability to build relationships and give/receive feedback.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint (e.g., data entry, sorting/filtering, basic charts; building simple slides).
• Demonstrated initiative and organization to manage priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Leadership experience through work, athletics, student organizations, or projects.
• Exposure to continuous improvement/Lean concepts (e.g., 5S, standard work, Kaizen, root‑cause analysis).
• Experience analyzing process or performance data

Responsibilities

• Support department safety, quality, productivity, and schedule alongside a Department Manager.
• Participate in daily floor huddles, visual management, and floor walks to maintain plan attainment.
• Assist with labor and performance tracking, providing simple updates on key metrics.
• Contribute to continuous improvement (Lean/Kaizen) by documenting standard work, 5S, and corrective actions.
• Build team culture by recognizing performance and offering timely, respectful feedback.
• Learning and applying continuous improvement (Lean/Kaizen) principles through a scoped project and team collaboration.
• Working side‑by‑side with Department Managers and cross‑functional partners to support daily operations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern