Continuous Improvement Intern

OVERVIEW

Perfetti Van Melle - a global confectionary company and makers of great product brands such as Airheads and Mentos- is seeking an enthusiastic college student for an internship with our US Manufacturing Team. This Fall 2025 Internship/Co-op will be based in our Rockford, IL facility with an expectation to work full time (up to 40 hours per week). This internship slated to start immediately with the ability to extend if needed.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Designed to provide hands-on work experience and skill building for college students interested in pursuing a career in Continuous Improvement. During this assignment, the Continuous Improvement Intern will support efforts to improve and trend production processes, equipment downtime and repeated failure points. 
  Specific responsibilities for the Manufacturing Intern position include:
  • Identify areas for improvement and implement effective, permanent, and systemic solutions to production challenges.
  • Investigate and collect data to improve processes, products, or product packaging.
  • Work closely with operators, leads and specialists to map the process in current state.
  • Participate in CI community conversations to understand collection points and trending opportunities
  • Project examples:
    • Participate and contribute towards manufacturing DMAIC Projects and Project Development Teams including
      • Data Collection
      • Process Mapping
      • Value Stream Mapping
      • Standard Work Creation
    • Assist in transformation of OEE measurements.
    • Optimize Vorne (automated OEE) capability and growth for data collection
    • Audit Vorne usage inside Value Stream for analysis of loss time
      • Statistical analysis of AH Right The First Time
      • LEAN Six Sigma Culture implementation
    • Participate in Perfetti Performance Excellence implementation (TPM)
    • End of assignment presentation to Manufacturing Leadership

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

•    Qualified candidates will be pursuing a degree in Engineering or another related field.
•    Ability to work a minimum of 35-40 hours per week.
•    Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, and effective presentation skills.
•    Intermediate level in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 
•    Familiarity with Microsoft Teams and SAP is helpful.
•    Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and present, create and interpret graphs.
•    Strength in decision making, analytical and organizational skills.
•    Knowledge of GMPs, testing/sampling methods, and food safety.
•    Excellent time management skills.
•    Highly self-motivated.
•    Ability to be flexible with work schedule, with occasional extended work hours.
•    Ability to effectively communicate with Site Leadership, Value Stream Owners, internal customers, colleagues.
•    Ability to prepare and interpret charts and graphs for process capabilities.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Perfetti Van Melle, we have a core value of Care For Our People and we are proud to offer benefit programs that support our team member’s goals and well-being.

The targeted range for this position is: $16-23 per hour

Perfetti Van Melle considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary.

Perfetti Van Melle, USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other applicable statutorily protected group status under local, state, or federal law.