Intern - HBO - Operational Excellence

Merck; Noord-Brabant; On-site; EUR 5,100 - 6,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Internship allowance €500/mo

Job summary

Merck is seeking an HBO internship in Operational Excellence, focusing on digital transformation through smart automation and applied AI. You will design, build, and deploy automation to connect SAP, L&D, and Lean pillars, enabling data-driven decision making and reducing manual bottlenecks.

You will work in a centralized team of 17, learning to drive sitewide continuous improvement, with guidance from an experienced specialist and exposure to the pharmaceutical industry.

Qualifications

• Third- or fourth-year HBO bachelor student in applicable fields with IT focus.
• Familiarity with SQL, Power BI, and workflow automation tools like Power Automate or Python.
• Excellent English and/or Dutch communication skills.
• Available for 5–6 months, 3–5 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Automate workflows across SAP, L&D, Lean pillars using Power Automate, Python, or API integrations.
• Develop applied AI solutions to simplify documentation and team workflows.
• Build automated data pipelines and Power BI dashboards for KPI tracking.
• Train team members on new digital tools and promote AI adoption.
• Perform tasks independently after training; support other projects as needed.

Skills

SQL & Power BI familiarity

Automation tooling (Power Automate, Py

Applied AI/LLM interest

English and Dutch communication

Education

Bachelor HBO in relevant field

Tools

Power BI

SQL

Power Automate

Python scripting

Job description

We are looking for a motivated third- or fourth-year Bachelor (HBO) student in Applied Data Science & AI, Business IT & Management, Business Analytics, or a business discipline with a strong knowledge and understanding of AI and Business automation. Do you want to know what it's like to be part of one of the largest multinational companies in the pharmaceutical industry? We offer an internship opportunity within our Operational Excellence department where you will have the freedom and space for your own initiative.

Intern - HBO - Operational Excellence

Welcome to our team

As a centralized department serving our entire manufacturing site, our mission is to drive sitewide continuous improvement, compliance, and technological innovation to deliver maximum business impact. We are a team of 17 and operate through three highly collaborative pillars:

• ERP & Systems: Streamlining and optimizing our core site-level enterprise resource planning, logistics, and data structures.
• Learning & Development: Elevating site capabilities and securing compliance through smart training metrics and automated development systems.
• Continuous Improvement: Driving operational discipline, eliminating waste on the shop floor, and fostering a culture of high performance.

Your internship assignment

As an intern, you will be responsible for driving the digital transformation of our centralized site operations by designing, building, and deploying smart automation and applied AI solutions. Your goal is to eliminate manual bottlenecks and build automated reporting pipelines that connect our SAP, L&D, and Lean pillars. By creating digital integrations using the Power Platform, SQL, and practical AI, you will deliver a more connected, data-driven department, ensuring our site specialists can focus on driving sitewide continuous improvement and business impact rather than repetitive manual tasks.

Your responsibilities

• Analyzing and automating manual workflows across our SAP, L&D, and Lean pillars by building smart, automated flows (e.g., using Power Automate, Python, or API integrations).
• Designing and deploying applied AI solutions (such as automated text/deviation classification, smart search tools, or custom GPT agents) to simplify documentation and team workflows.
• Building automated data pipelines using digital tools to extract site data, transforming it into high-impact, interactive Power BI dashboards for sitewide KPI tracking.
• Driving AI and automation adoption within the team by training team members on new digital tools and showing them how to integrate smart technologies into their daily work.
• The described tasks form the basic package and will often be performed independently after a proper training and learning period. These tasks may be supplemented with other projects and/or tasks on your own initiative or at the request of the organization.

What is required

• Third- or fourth-year Bachelor (HBO) student in Applied Data Science & AI, Business IT & Management, Business Analytics, HBO-ICT, or a business discipline with a strong IT focus.
• Familiarity with SQL, Power BI, and workflow automation tools (such as Power Automate or Python scripting), combined with a strong interest in Applied AI/LLM solutions.
• Excellent English and/or Dutch communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Available for a period of 5 to 6 months for 3 to 5 days per week.

What we offer

• The chance to gain experience in the pharmaceutical industry
• An opportunity to showcase yourself for potential opportunities after your internship period
• A challenging and dynamic work environment with plenty of room for personal development and initiative
• Good guidance from an experienced specialist
• A gross monthly internship allowance of €500,- based on a 40-hour workweek

Animal Health Division

Our Animal Health Division is a trusted global leader in animal healthcare. We are committed to preserving and improving the health, well-being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. As a global team of professionals, we work together to make a positive difference in animal care and the world's food chain. We also have a deep sense of responsibility towards our customers, consumers, animals, society, and our planet.

By being dedicated to The Science of Healthier Animals®, we provide veterinarians, farmers, pet owners, and governments with one of the broadest ranges of animal health products, vaccines, and solutions and services for health management. Additionally, we deliver a comprehensive range of digitally connected identification, traceability, and monitoring products. We invest in dynamic and extensive R&D capabilities and a modern, global supply chain. We are present in more than 50 countries, and our produ