Operational Excellence Intern

Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

Müller is offering an Opex (Operations Excellence) Internship for university students in the UK. This 13-month fixed-term placement runs from July 2027, with standard 8am–4pm or 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday, at one of our sites.

You will work with Site Leadership Teams and the Central Operational Excellence team on focused improvement projects to boost efficiency. You’ll gain hands-on experience in process optimisation, OEE loss reduction, material loss tracking, and operator coaching.

Qualifications

• University students on track for a 2:1 or above seeking a placement year.
• Excellent communication and proactive attitude.
• Full UK driving license held for at least one year.
• UK residency; eligible to work in the UK; sponsorship not available due to salary threshold.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Communication skills

Self-starter

Adaptability

Problem solving

Operational Excellence knowledge

Education

Chemical Engineering degree or related technical field

On track for a 2:1 or above

Job description

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Job Title:Opex (Operations Excellence) Intern

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.

Whatyou'llbe 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 Teamsand the Central OperationalExcellence 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.

Whatwe'relooking for:

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.

We want to ensure all candidates have every opportunity to shine. We’ll support you throughout the full application process. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make sure the assessment process works for you.

At Müller,we’recommitted to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage people to apply even if theydon’tmeet every requirement listed. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know -we’rehappy to support you.