Operations Manager Intern (starting summer 2026) Flow Center Distribution Center, Riverside, CA

Target•Riverside, CA

52d•$28•Onsite

About The Position

Experience firsthand what it's like to lead a team within a Target Supply Chain Facility. This internship is a paid 40 hr./week, hands-on training program to develop and prepare for your operations leadership. As an Operations Intern, you'll gain a realistic job preview into life as an Operations Manager over a defined period of time. Within this Operations Management internship, you will work closely with other managers and team members in the building to develop an understanding of how Target's supply chain business works and what it takes to excel in a management role. You'll lead and support the execution of daily operations by working beside your team members and learn to lead, motivate and influence a team, including the opportunity to lead a department. This program is designed to teach individuals how to lead within a supply chain facility. You will work closely with a Mentor as you take a deeper dive into how they effectively lead their department while gaining a line of sight into different business areas and functions within the building. You will spend your days learning how to problem solve, lead and motivate a team, conduct real-time observations, and drive results, all while ensuring safety is a top priority and that we are maximizing productivity to get products to the guest as fast as possible. During your internship, you will have the opportunity to step into leading your Mentors work center - of course, we will be there to guide you and help you learn along the way! Your development will be a top priority of ours, and to ensure you're feeling supported, you can expect ongoing developmental conversations with your Mentor and Manager. We'll be supporting you with extensive training to help you grow as a strong operations intern. At Target, we believe in our leaders having meaningful experiences that help them build and develop skills for a career. The role of an Operations Intern can provide you with the: Experience in building and managing a team culture across the building Problem solving and change management skills Knowledge of retail business fundamentals Experience setting and planning department(s) daily/weekly workload to support business priorities and managing a team to deliver goals Experience managing a team of hourly team members and creating business strategies and goals Knowledge of departments within the distribution center that you will learn more about throughout the internship experience include- Inbound/Outbound/Warehousing As an Operations Intern, no two days are ever the same, but a typical day will most likely include the following responsibilities: Spending time on the facilities floor helping to lead amongst team members and aligning the team in daily business priorities. Working alongside team members to lead through daily priorities Maintaining a high standard of quality/inventory accuracy through standardization of processes (standard works, job breakdowns, and quality risk analysis) while also ensuring employee accountability. Tracking various KPI's such as safety, teamwork, quality and productivity to identify gaps, and drive actions in order to maintain consistent performance. Carrying out process improvement initiatives by leveraging CI methodologies such as Gemba, Fish Bone Analysis, and 5 why's to create a lean defect-free operation. Administering the communication between the IT and the Operation team to address system issues and conduct testing in the WMS. Recruiting and mentoring team members to adapt a continuous improvement mindset, and guide them to take up leadership roles in the company through engaging and inclusive leadership. Addressing team member concerns and remove operational hurdles to ensure smooth operations and goal attainment. Leading daily meetings for the operational team, share pertinent company and site-specific information. Lead/present at daily planning meetings with peer/leadership team. Plan daily goals and organize shift plans to achieve targets at start of shift. Provide summary of results around plan attainment, share hurdles, successes, and key learnings to apply moving forward at end of shift. Conduct audits around standard adherence with safety, quality, and productivity. Share feedback and coach team members on audit observations. Conduct safety walks in building to identify, resolve and report findings. Conduct follow-ups on team member attendance, any necessary coaching, etc. Partner with leaders regarding team member performance by teaching, coaching, training, and delivering timely performance feedback Provide new ideas and recommend solutions for business or team opportunities Take the initiative to learn how to be a Target leader by seeking out opportunities for growth and development; continuously learn throughout the internship experience Commit to learning Target's expectations of leaders and use them to personally develop by asking questions and seeking feedback Actively participate in internship program training activities, developmental opportunities, and events. Demonstrate a willingness to take risks; step out of your comfort zone and take on new assignments Demonstrate a culture of ethical conduct, safety, and compliance; lead the team to work in the same way and hold others accountable to this commitment Foster an inclusive, safe, and secure culture Carry out principle duties and responsibilities by the department through internship rotations as trained. Understand business reporting and guest insights to understand, troubleshoot, and follow up on opportunity areas Gain an understanding of all business areas to develop business acumen Working with buildings leaders each day to set goals and expectations

Requirements

Participation in school or extracurricular activities and experience in leadership roles
Strong interest in working in retail, specifically within our supply chain facilities
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
Problem-solving skills and strong initiative
Team-oriented thinking with enthusiasm for continuous learning
Ability to access all levels and areas of the facility to respond to team member issues.
Understand instructions, reports, and information
Climb up and down ladders
Scan, handle and move merchandise efficiently and safely, including frequently lifting or moving merchandise up to 15 pounds and occasionally moving merchandise up to 40 pounds
Flexible work schedule (e.g., nights, weekends, and holidays) and regular work attendance are necessary

Responsibilities

Spending time on the facilities floor helping to lead amongst team members and aligning the team in daily business priorities.
Working alongside team members to lead through daily priorities
Maintaining a high standard of quality/inventory accuracy through standardization of processes (standard works, job breakdowns, and quality risk analysis) while also ensuring employee accountability.
Tracking various KPI's such as safety, teamwork, quality and productivity to identify gaps, and drive actions in order to maintain consistent performance.
Carrying out process improvement initiatives by leveraging CI methodologies such as Gemba, Fish Bone Analysis, and 5 why's to create a lean defect-free operation.
Administering the communication between the IT and the Operation team to address system issues and conduct testing in the WMS.
Recruiting and mentoring team members to adapt a continuous improvement mindset, and guide them to take up leadership roles in the company through engaging and inclusive leadership.
Addressing team member concerns and remove operational hurdles to ensure smooth operations and goal attainment.
Leading daily meetings for the operational team, share pertinent company and site-specific information.
Lead/present at daily planning meetings with peer/leadership team.
Plan daily goals and organize shift plans to achieve targets at start of shift.
Provide summary of results around plan attainment, share hurdles, successes, and key learnings to apply moving forward at end of shift.
Conduct audits around standard adherence with safety, quality, and productivity. Share feedback and coach team members on audit observations.
Conduct safety walks in building to identify, resolve and report findings.
Conduct follow-ups on team member attendance, any necessary coaching, etc.
Partner with leaders regarding team member performance by teaching, coaching, training, and delivering timely performance feedback
Provide new ideas and recommend solutions for business or team opportunities
Take the initiative to learn how to be a Target leader by seeking out opportunities for growth and development; continuously learn throughout the internship experience
Commit to learning Target's expectations of leaders and use them to personally develop by asking questions and seeking feedback
Actively participate in internship program training activities, developmental opportunities, and events.
Demonstrate a willingness to take risks; step out of your comfort zone and take on new assignments
Demonstrate a culture of ethical conduct, safety, and compliance; lead the team to work in the same way and hold others accountable to this commitment
Foster an inclusive, safe, and secure culture
Carry out principle duties and responsibilities by the department through internship rotations as trained.
Understand business reporting and guest insights to understand, troubleshoot, and follow up on opportunity areas
Gain an understanding of all business areas to develop business acumen
Working with buildings leaders each day to set goals and expectations

Benefits

comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more
401(k)
employee discount
short term disability
long term disability
paid sick leave
paid national holidays
paid vacation

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