OPEX Intern

Müller UK & Ireland; Droitwich Spa; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Müller UK & Ireland offers a 13‑month Operational Excellence internship at our flagship dairy in Droitwich. You’ll work 40 hours per week in a hands-on role with the OPEX team, partnering with site leadership on improvement projects across safety, quality, cost and delivery.

You’ll gain practical experience in lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement, developing leadership, communication and change-management skills for a future career in manufacturing or operations.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication with all levels of the site.
• Proactive, able to take initiative and drive projects.
• Comfortable in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Basic understanding of operational excellence principles.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and digital tools.
• Hold a full UK driving licence (at least 1 year).
• Eligible to work in the UK (sponsorship not available).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with site leadership and front-line teams on improvement projects.
• Support the Operational Excellence roadmap and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyse data to identify efficiency opportunities and support decisions.
• Participate in root-cause analysis using Six Sigma methodologies.
• Assist deployment of lean/TPM tools (SMED, 5S, Autonomous Maintenance).
• Contribute to project planning, budgeting, and reporting updates.
• Assist change management and embed improvements across the site.
• Develop leadership and stakeholder-management skills during the placement.

Skills

Communication skills

Self-starter

Adaptability

Problem solving

Operational excellence

MS Office

Driver's license

UK residency

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Contract:Starting July 2027, 13-month Fixed Term Contract
• Hours/Shift Pattern:Monday - Friday 40 hours per week

• Job Title:Operational Excellence Intern
• Location:Droitwich
• Contract:Starting July 2027, 13-month Fixed Term Contract
• Hours/Shift Pattern:Monday - Friday 40 hours per week

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:

Müller is seeking motivated, ambitious and talented placement students to join the Operational Excellence (OPEX) team at our flagship dairy in Droitwich. This exciting placement offers exposure to a wide range of business-critical improvement projects, operational performance initiatives, problem-solving methodologies and process optimisation activities within one of the UK's leading FMCG manufacturing environments.

Working closely with the Site Leadership Team and Central Operational Excellence community, you will support and lead focused improvement projects that enhance operational efficiency, eliminate waste, improve productivity and strengthen front-line performance. You will have the opportunity to develop expertise in continuous improvement, performance analysis and change management, while building the leadership, influencing and coaching skills needed to drive sustainable results.

Designed for students seeking a challenging and rewarding industrial placement, this role provides the opportunity to work with senior stakeholders, gain hands‑on operational experience and make a measurable impact on site performance. By fully engaging with the programme, you will develop the practical skills, commercial awareness, professional confidence and operational excellence mindset required to thrive in a future career within manufacturing, operations or business leadership.

Main Tasks And Responsibilities

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work collaboratively with site leadership, front-line teams and the central operational excellence community to deliver improvement projects that enhance Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, People and Sustainability performance.
• Continuous Improvement Delivery: Support the delivery of the Operational Excellence roadmap and continuous improvement initiatives across the site.
• Data Analysis: Analyse operational performance data to identify improvement opportunities, eliminate waste and support data-driven decision making.
• Root Cause Analysis: Participate in and lead elements of structured problem-solving activities using Operational Excellence and Six Sigma methodologies to improve business performance.
• Lean Deployment: Assist in the deployment of lean/TPM based tools and philosophies to include SMED, 5S, Autonomous Maintenance, Standard Work, RCA
• Project Management: Develop skills in project investment processes, including milestone planning, budgeting and scope development. Support project planning, execution and tracking to ensure the successful delivery of engineering improvements, presenting findings and recommendations through reports and project updates
• Change Management: As a change agent you’ll be supporting the planning, communication and implementation of change initiatives, helping teams adapt to new ways of working and ensuring operational improvements are successfully embedded and sustained across the site.
• Personal Development and Leadership: Demonstrate a proactive approach to learning, take ownership of personal development and contribute positively to Müller’s values, culture and standards.

What we’re looking For

Key Skills and Qualifications Include:

• 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
• Technical proficiency: Competent with the use of Microsoft office and digital tools
• 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.)

Müller’s Core Behaviours (MMI)

• Be Bold: Be proactive and take initiative
• Own it: Take responsibility for your work and outcomes
• One team: Collaborate effectively and support team members
• We Care: Show commitment and dedication to quality and results

What You’ll Gain

• Hands‑On Operational Excellence Experience – Apply Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement methodologies to solve real business challenges within Müller’s flagship dairy.
• Ownership of High-Impact Projects – Lead and support improvement initiatives that deliver measurable benefits in safety, quality, cost, delivery and operational performance.
• Exposure to Senior Leadership – Work closely with Site Leadership and the Central Operational Excellence team, gaining valuable insight into strategic decision-making and business operations.
• Advanced Problem-Solving Skills – Learn how to identify root causes, analyse data and implement sustainable solutions using Operational Excellence tools.
• Change Management Experience – Develop an understanding of how to successfully implement and embed change within a large FMCG manufacturing environment.
• Stakeholder Management & Influencing Skills – Build confidence working with colleagues at all levels of the organisation, from front-line teams to senior leaders.
• Commercial & Operational Awareness – Develop an understanding of how operational performance impacts business results, customer service and financial outcomes.
• Professional & Leadership Growth – Enhance your communication, project management and leadership capabilities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Career Development Opportunities – Build a strong foundation for a future career in Operational Excellence, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering or Business Leadership within the FMCG sector.
• A Meaningful Placement Experience – Leave a lasting impact through projects that create real value for the business while developing the skills, confidence and experience needed to accelerate your future career.

Why Join Müller

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.

Müller is ranked within the top 20 in The Grocer’s Top 100 list of Britain’s Biggest Brands and is picked from shelves millions of times each year.

We produce the nation’s most loved dairy products.

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.

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.

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.