Operational Excellence Intern

Müller UK & Ireland; Telford; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Müller UK & Ireland is offering an Opex (Operations Excellence) Intern placement in Telford, starting July 2027 for 13 months. You will work with Site Leadership and Central OE teams on improvement projects to boost efficiency and support front-line operations.

The role runs 8am–4pm or 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday, on-site. The role develops technical and leadership skills with training in SPC, CIP, and FMEA, plus opportunities to coach operators and collaborate on cross-site improvements.

Qualifications

• Strong communication with teams at all levels.
• Proactive self-starter capable of driving projects.
• Adaptability to dynamic prioritisation.
• Solid problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• Basic knowledge of OE principles and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead improvement projects to boost production efficiency.
• Analyze OEE losses and implement lasting standards.
• Develop and maintain systems to track material losses.
• Train operators in process optimisation techniques (SPC, CIP, FMEA).
• Support continuous improvement and cross-site collaboration.
• Collaborate on group projects with other placement students.

Skills

Communication

Self-starter

Adaptability

Problem-solving

Operational Excellence

UK driving licence

UK Residency

Education

Degree in Chemical Engineering or related technical field

Job description

Job Title: Opex (Operations Excellence) Intern

Location: Telford, Shropshire

Contract: Starting July 2027, 13-month Fixed Term Contract

Hours/Shift Pattern: 8am- 4pm/ 9am- 5pm, Monday to Friday

Why join the Muller Internship Program?

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.

Ready to shape your future with Müller? Let’s make it happen.

What You’ll Be Doing

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.

What We’re Looking For

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.)

Why Join Muller?

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, our products have been loved across the UK & Ireland for generations.

This role is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

At Müller, we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage people to apply even if they don’t meet every requirement listed. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know - we’re happy to support you.