Praktikant im Bereich Operational Excellence (m/w/d)

Elanco; Kiel; On-site; EUR 13,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Site insights into Kiel manufacturing

Thesis opportunity

Independent project work

Paid internship

Job summary

Elanco invites applications for a Praktikant im Bereich Operational Excellence (m/w/d) at our Kiel site. You will join a team focused on portfolio and production analysis, project tracking, and process optimization, gaining hands-on experience in lean methods and digital tools.

The role requires current enrollment in a related degree, strong analytical skills, advanced Excel, and English fluency; German is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in Industrial Engineering, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Business Analytics, or a comparable university degree program.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to analyze complex data.
• Advanced Excel skills; knowledge of Power BI and other digital tools is an advantage.
• Fluency in English is required; advanced German language skills are highly desirable.
• Proactive, independent, and collaborative working style with willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Portfolio & Production Analysis: Support in-depth analysis of the site's complex product portfolio and production activities to identify major improvement opportunities.
• Project Management & Digital Tools: Support project tracking, performance reporting, and follow‑up using digital tools.
• Process Analysis & Optimization: Analyze existing processes and develop improvement concepts based on observations, data, and KPIs.
• OE Program Support: Support OE initiatives, ongoing activities, regular meetings, and action follow-ups.
• Collaboration & Training: Work with cross-functional teams to identify improvement ideas and support Lean workshops and training activities.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Independent working

Team collaboration

Education

Industrial Engineering / Engineering / SCM / Business Analytics degree or equivalent

Tools

Power BI

Excel

Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals! As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People. At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights. Making animals’ lives better makes life better.

Your Role

Praktikant im Bereich Operational Excellence (m/w/d)

Elanco Animal Health is one of the world's leading animal health companies. We develop and market innovative products and services to prevent and treat diseases in companion and farm animals. In doing so, we create value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. Building on our long-standing heritage in animal health, we help our customers maintain and improve the health of their animals. As part of Elanco Animal Health, KVP Pharma + Veterinär Produkte GmbH has been manufacturing approximately 175 different pharmaceutical products for more than 45 years. Our products cover the full spectrum of pharmaceutical dosage forms and are distributed worldwide. We are looking for a Praktikant im Bereich Operational Excellence (m/w/d) to join our team immediately for a minimum period of six months.

Your Responsibilities

• Portfolio & Production Analysis: Support in-depth analysis of the site's complex product portfolio and production activities to identify major improvement opportunities.
• Project Management & Digital Tools: Support project tracking, performance reporting, and follow-up using digital tools.
• Process Analysis & Optimization: Analyze existing processes and develop improvement concepts based on observations, data, and KPIs.
• OE Program Support: Support OE initiatives, ongoing activities, regular meetings, and action follow-ups.
• Collaboration & Training: Work with cross-functional teams to identify improvement ideas and support Lean workshops and training activities.

What You Need to Succeed

• Currently enrolled in Industrial Engineering, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Business Analytics, or a comparable university degree program.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex data and identify improvement opportunities.
• Advanced Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, formulas, data analysis); knowledge of Power BI and other digital tools is an advantage.
• Fluency in English is required; advanced German language skills are highly desirable.
• Proactive, independent, and collaborative working style, with strong initiative and willingness to learn.

What We Offer

• We offer valuable insights into one of Kiel's largest industrial manufacturing sites, along with the opportunity to explore our diverse professional and career paths.
• Students may also have the opportunity to complete their bachelor's or master's thesis on a topic related to their field of study.
• During the internship, you will generally work independently on an assigned project.
• All internships are appropriately compensated.

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose CSR framework – all to advance the health of animals, people and the planet. Learn more at www.elanco.com.