Operational Excellence Intern

Müller UK & Ireland; Market Drayton; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Müller UK & Ireland is offering an 13‑month Operational Excellence (OPEX) Placement Student role at one of our sites in the UK. You will work with Site Leadership Teams and the Central Operational Excellence team to drive production improvements, coach front‑line operators, and deliver focused projects that raise efficiency.

You will develop skills in OEE analysis, loss reduction, material tracking, and continuous improvement using tools like SPC, CIP and FMEA.

Qualifications

• University students on track for a 2:1 or above seeking a placement year.
• Full UK driving licence held for at least one year.
• Eligibility to work in the UK; not eligible for sponsorship due to salary threshold.
• Interest in operational excellence principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support improvement projects to boost production efficiency.
• Analyse OEE losses and implement lasting standards.
• Develop and maintain systems to track material losses and reduce waste.
• Train operators in process optimisation techniques (SPC, CIP, FMEA).
• Support and coach production teams on continuous improvement projects.
• Collaborate with other placement students on group projects.

Skills

Problem solving

Communication

Leadership

Teamwork

Self-motivated

Self-Starter

Education

Chemical Engineering degree or related field

Tools

SPC

CIP

FMEA

Job description

As an Operational Excellence (OPEX) Placement Student at Müller, you'll gain hands-on experience in driving production improvements and process optimisation at one of our sites. You'll work closely with the Site Leadership Teams and the Central Operational Excellence team to deliver focused improvement projects that enhance operational efficiency and support front-line operations. This role offers the chance to help coach and support front-line teams, support continuous improvement, and help shape a culture of excellence across the site. Key tasks & responsibilities include:

• Process Optimisation & Production Improvement: Lead and support improvement projects to boost production efficiency, collaborating with site and central teams.
• OEE Loss Reduction: Analyse root causes of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) losses, use problem-solving tools to address issues, and help implement lasting standards.
• Material Loss Reporting: Develop and maintain systems to track material losses, identify key drivers, and lead projects to reduce waste.
• Training & Development: Use your technical knowledge to train operators in process optimisation techniques (e.g., SPC, CIP, FMEA).
• Continuous Improvement: Support and coach production teams on continuous improvement projects to drive performance gains.
• Collaborative Projects: Work with other placement students on group projects, building teamwork and problem-solving skills. This role is ideal for proactive students with a passion for operational excellence. Müller is looking for university students (on track for a 2:1 or above) seeking a placement year.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with teams at all levels, from operators to senior management
• Self-Starter Attitude: Proactive, with the ability to take initiative and drive projects forward independently
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a dynamic environment, where priorities and challenges can change rapidly
• Problem‑Solving Ability: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the capability to anticipate issues and deliver innovative solutions
• Operational Excellence Knowledge: A basic understanding and interest in operational excellence principles
• Education: Studying towards a degree in Chemical Engineering or a related technical field preferred
• Full UK driving license: Held for at least one year
• UK Residency: Eligibility to work in the UK (Please note this role is not eligible for sponsorship as the salary falls below the required threshold.)
  At Müller, we're passionate about helping students launch their careers through our dynamic Internship Programmes.

Over 13 months, you'll gain hands-on experience in a professional environment while building the skills that matter - technical expertise, leadership, communication, and more. Our tailored learning journey blends real-world challenges with personal development, so you'll grow in confidence and capability from day one.

Sourcing milk from over 1,000 farms up and down the UK, we serve millions of families every day with a range of branded and private label goods which are nutritious and delicious. We're one of the UK and Ireland's major dairy manufacturers and, with milk in 97% of UK fridges and yogurt in 78%, there’s a very good chance you have a Müller product in yours. Müller UK & Ireland is wholly owned by Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller which employs over 31,000 people throughout Europe. In the UK, Müller develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of branded and private label dairy products made with milk from 1,300 farmers in Britain, and operates Muller Yogurts & Desserts, Muller Milk & Ingredients and Muller Services Ltd. We make dairy that makes people smile - as well as being nutritious and delicious! From Müller Corner yogurts to the 100% British milk you put in your morning cuppa, …