Operations Consulting Intern - Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement - Summer 2027

Wipfli Advisory LLC•Minneapolis, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role requires a hybrid work arrangement. At Wipfli, hybrid is defined as associates regularly work in a Wipfli office, from home and at client sites. The client sites can vary locally, regionally, or nationally depending on the industry alignment. Note that scheduled meetings at the client and in the office will require in-person attendance. Role Summary Are you interested in learning how businesses improve the way they operate? Do you enjoy solving problems, working with data, and collaborating with others to create meaningful change? As an Operations Consulting Intern - Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement, you will work alongside experienced consultants to help manufacturing clients improve productivity, quality, operational performance, and profitability. You'll gain hands-on experience with process improvement, Lean methodologies, operational assessments, data analytics, and client-facing consulting.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Engineering Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field.
Above average class performance as demonstrated by college GPA; Preferred 3.0 GPA or higher
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Good communication and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with clients and staff
Detail-oriented with a commitment to delivering high-quality work.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to build and foster professional business relationships
Desire to help companies maximize value by leveraging technology and process improvement
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis upon hire. Wipfli will not consider candidates for this position who require sponsorship for employment visa status now or in the future (e.g., H-1B status)

Responsibilities

Observe and analyze manufacturing, supply chain, and business processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, waste, and opportunities for improvement.
Assist with operational assessments and process reviews, including developing current-state and future-state process maps and supporting value stream mapping activities.
Gather, organize, and analyze operational and financial data to help identify trends, evaluate performance, and support client recommendations.
Analyze key manufacturing metrics such as productivity, throughput, inventory, quality, on-time delivery, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
Participate in client interviews, stakeholder meetings, workshops, and Kaizen or continuous improvement events alongside experienced consultants.
Help develop practical recommendations to improve productivity, quality, efficiency, operational performance, and profitability.
Assist in creating dashboards, reports, presentations, and other client deliverables that clearly communicate findings, recommendations, and action plans.
Support implementation planning and change management, including evaluating technology, automation, and other process improvement opportunities.
Collaborate with consultants, client teams, project managers, and subject matter experts while building your consulting, analytical, technical, and professional skills.