Manufacturing Intern

GEORGIA NUT COMPANY • Skokie, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Manufacturing Intern will support process optimization, data analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives within a food manufacturing environment. This role is ideal for a student with a strong engineering and analytical foundation who is interested in improving production efficiency, reducing waste, and supporting safe, high-quality food production. The intern will gain hands-on experience working with production data, evaluating process performance, and contributing to Lean initiatives that directly impact yield, throughput, and cost.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in: Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Food Engineering or related field
• Completed at least junior year of undergraduate program
• Strong math and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret production and process data
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (formulas, data analysis, pivot tables)
• Basic understanding of mass balance, process flows, and manufacturing systems
• Exposure to Lean concepts (value stream mapping, continuous improvement, waste reduction)
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Effective communication skills and ability to work in a team environment

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of food manufacturing processes (mixing, batching, packaging, etc.)
• Familiarity with GMPs, HACCP, or food safety/quality systems
• Experience with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau)
• Exposure to statistical analysis or process control methods

Responsibilities

• Conduct production timeline and throughput analysis to identify bottlenecks and improve line efficiency
• Perform waste and yield analysis to support cost reduction and minimize product loss
• Assist with mass balance calculations to track inputs, outputs, and process variability
• Analyze production and quality data using Excel to identify trends and improvement opportunities
• Support Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including value stream mapping and waste identification (scrap, downtime, overprocessing, etc.)
• Participate in root cause analysis (RCA) for production deviations, quality issues, and downtime events
• Partner with Operations, Quality, and Food Safety teams to ensure improvements align with GMP and food safety standards
• Assist in documenting standard work, process flows, and continuous improvement projects
• Present findings and recommendations to site leadership

Benefits

• Hands-on experience in a food production environment with real-time operational challenges
• Exposure to food safety, quality systems, and regulatory considerations
• Opportunity to work on projects that directly impact yield, efficiency, and cost savings
• Experience applying Lean and continuous improvement tools in a real-world setting
• Mentorship from engineering, operations, and quality leaders

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern