Packaging / Process Engineering Internship (Spring 2027)

PLZ Corp•St. Clair, MO

2d•$21 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

PLZ Corp is seeking a Packaging / Process Engineering Intern to support Food Products manufacturing operations in Saint Clair, Missouri. The internship provides hands-on experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, focusing on process improvement, productivity, standardization, and operational excellence. The intern will work with Plant Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Food Products leadership to assess existing manufacturing processes, identify opportunities to improve efficiency and consistency, and develop sustainable processes and documentation. The role involves significant time on the production floor working with operators and plant leadership. The internship is scheduled approximately January 2027 through April or May 2027, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is on-site. Compensation is $21–$23 per hour, based on experience and education level. The intern will document current processes and baseline performance, develop or improve standard work and production documentation, lead at least one significant continuous improvement initiative with quantified benefits, and present findings and recommendations to Plant and Food Products leadership. Potential projects include time studies, productivity optimization, changeover reduction, line balancing, OEE and downtime analysis, packaging optimization, standard operating procedures, material movement, capacity, scrap and yield improvement, and operator training. The role offers exposure to manufacturing and packaging engineering, Lean and Six Sigma methods, process optimization, and project implementation in a real manufacturing setting.

Requirements

Must be a full-time student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.
Minimum GPA of 3.0.
Must be able to work 40 hours per week.
Ability to work in the U.S. for an indefinite period.
Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to organize and analyze data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Comfortable working collaboratively in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and related business applications.
Self-motivated, with the ability to independently manage projects and priorities.

Responsibilities

Conduct time studies, process observations, and workflow analyses across manufacturing and packaging operations.
Identify bottlenecks, constraints, non-value-added activities, and productivity improvement opportunities.
Analyze production data, cycle times, downtime, changeovers, labor utilization, and throughput.
Develop recommendations to improve line efficiency, labor productivity, equipment utilization, changeover performance, and throughput.
Support implementation and validation of process improvements with Operations and Engineering teams.
Develop and update standard work instructions, operating manuals, SOPs, job aids, process maps, and other manufacturing documentation.
Work with operators and supervisors to document current-state processes and establish repeatable best practices.
Help standardize operating procedures across shifts to improve consistency, quality, training, and operational stability.
Create visual management tools and supporting production-floor materials.
Assist in developing training materials for new or updated manufacturing processes.
Lead one or more Green Belt-level continuous improvement projects from problem identification through implementation.
Use Lean and Six Sigma tools, including DMAIC, 5 Why analysis, Pareto analysis, process mapping, root cause analysis, standard work, waste identification, data collection, and statistical analysis.
Quantify improvement opportunities and develop business cases addressing potential productivity, cost, quality, or capacity benefits.
Establish baseline metrics and track results to ensure improvements are measurable and sustainable.
Present findings, recommendations, and results to plant and Food Products leadership.
Deliver a current-state assessment documenting processes, baseline performance, and productivity opportunities.
Develop or improve SOPs, standard work, operating instructions, and related documentation for prioritized processes.
Lead at least one significant improvement initiative with quantified operational or financial benefits.
Present project findings, implemented improvements, remaining opportunities, and recommended next steps.