Continuous Improvement Intern - Summer 2027

1101 Primary Products Ingredients Americas LLC; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Healthcare plan options

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays & vacation

Floating days off

Parental leave

Learning & development programs

Culture that shapes the future

Job summary

Primient in Decatur, IL is seeking a Continuous Improvement Intern to join the Enterprise Continuous Improvement team. You'll assist with process improvement, data analysis, and system optimization while gaining practical experience in a high-impact area.

Ideal candidates are college students in Industrial Engineering, Data Analytics, or related fields who enjoy problem solving, data, and cross-functional collaboration; housing stipend may apply and opportunities to advance through our

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret data and identify trends.
• Interest in data systems, reporting tools, or process improvement methodologies.
• Experience with Excel; Power BI, Tableau, SQL or other data tools is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently or in a team.
• Ideal candidate is a college student pursuing Industrial Engineering, Data Analytics, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Assist with analysis of business processes to identify efficiency opportunities.
• Collect, organize, and analyze data to support improvement initiatives.
• Support dashboards, reports, and KPI monitoring tools.
• Document current and future state processes and workflows.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects and track actions and timelines.
• Assist testing, validating, and improving data systems and reporting processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather information and support implementation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Data systems interest

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Teamwork ability

Education

Industrial Engineering

Business Analytics

Data Analytics

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

Job description

About Primient

Primient is a century old company with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational excellence that is backed by our long‑standing corn wet milling heritage.

Wherever we are in the process, from field to customer, our priorities are focused on ensuring we produce the safest, highest quality products through practices that uphold both our responsibility and commitments to the challenge and drive for excellence, our people and our planet.

We’re investing in our plants and people to unlock our potential in the industrial and food sectors. Guided by our values of Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Growth, we’re focused on growing our business, our reputation, and the career of every teammate.

Primient is a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational expertise that is backed by our long‑standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from start to finish, we focus our priorities on producing the safest, highest quality ingredients through practices that uphold our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Our employees, some of whom are second and third generation legacy, understand the importance of maintaining the highest levels of safety, excellence, and integrity in all that we do. We continue to grow with a century long history of ingenuity that started with agricultural visionary Augustus “Gene” Staley. Staley’s “can do” attitude and entrepreneurial spirit continue to lead and inspire Primient in new ways that ensure we honor our traditions to confidently trail blaze ahead. We proudly walk the halls of the ‘Castle in the Cornfields’ administration building in Decatur, IL, US, tracing our rich heritage and planning for the next big ideas.

Role Description

The Continuous Improvement Intern will provide essential support to the Enterprise Continuous Improvement team, assisting with the development and implementation of change management plans. This role is an excellent fit for a student interested in the human side of business and how to effectively guide an organization through periods of change. The projects will vary depending on business needs, but the intern will gain practical experience in a high-impact area. Additional housing stipend from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on work and candidate's location.

The Continuous Improvement Intern will provide support to the Continuous Improvement team by assisting with process improvement initiatives, data analysis, and system optimization projects. This role is ideal for a student who enjoys problem‑solving, working with data, and identifying opportunities to make processes more efficient. The intern will gain exposure to continuous improvement methodologies, business systems, and cross‑functional collaboration while contributing to projects that drive operational excellence across the organization.

Key Projects & Responsibilities

• Assist with the analysis of business processes to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, productivity, and standardization.
• Collect, organize, and analyze data to support continuous improvement initiatives and measure project outcomes.
• Support the development and maintenance of dashboards, reports, and other tools used to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Partner with team members to document current‑state and future‑state processes, workflows, and procedures.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects and help track actions, timelines, and results.
• Assist with testing, validating, and improving data systems and reporting processes.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to gather information, solve problems, and support implementation efforts.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends.
• Interest in data systems, reporting tools, business analytics, or process improvement methodologies.
• Experience with Microsoft Excel; experience with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or other data visualization/reporting tools is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ideal candidate is a college student pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Information Systems, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, or a related field.

Total Rewards

Total Rewards Starting pay of $22.00/hr + overtime with opportunity to advance with our pay for skill system.

• Competitive Pay
• Multiple Healthcare plan choices
• Dental and vision insurance
• A 401(k) plan with company and matching contributions
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Life, AD&D, and Voluntary Insurance plans
• Paid holidays & vacation
• Floating days off
• Parental leave for new parents
• Employee resource groups
• Learning & development programs
• Fun culture where you have an opportunity in shaping our future

Career Path & Culture

Primient is committed to a workplace that is all in – ensuring everyone has the opportunity to develop and shape a career that matters in an open culture which embraces equity, diversity and belonging. We challenge old ways of thinking; and encourage employee voices to be a guiding force for ongoing learning. Primient supports a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe our differences make better decisions, drive excellence, and deliver better business results. Primient employees experience autonomy and accountability in their role. Here, employees control their destiny as there is opportunity for career growth and pathways outside the norm.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow, Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.

California Consumer Privacy Act

The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre‑employment test results; Post‑offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self‑disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.