Intern, Lean Manufacturing Operations

Thinklance LLP; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly pay $20–$25

12-week internship

Mentorship and guidance

Meaningful projects with business/oper

Networking opportunities

Job summary

Thinklance LLP in Wilmington, NC is seeking a summer 2027 intern to support Lean and continuous improvement projects while learning practical applications.

You will work full-time for 12 weeks, analyze operational data, participate in Gemba walks, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive measurable improvements.

This internship offers mentorship, real project impact, and exposure to manufacturing culture.

Qualifications

• GPA 3.0 or higher.
• 12-week, full-time commitment in Summer 2027.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Reliable transportation to Wilmington, NC.
• Preferred majors include Lean/CI or related fields.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Support daily management systems, KPI tracking, and action follow-up.
• Participate in Gemba walks, Lean workshops, and process improvements.
• Analyze data to identify trends and performance gaps.
• Help develop and standardize processes and work instructions.
• Collaborate with operators, supervisors, and cross-functional teams.
• Ensure timely completion of improvement projects with measurable results.
• Present outcomes and learnings to site leadership.

Skills

Lean/Continuous Improvement

Analytical mindset

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree student in a relevant discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Your Role

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting HMOS daily management systems, standards, KPI tracking, and action item follow-up to drive operational excellence.
• Participating in Gemba walks, Lean workshops, and continuous improvement activities to identify and implement process improvements.
• Analyzing operational data to identify trends, improvement opportunities, and performance gaps.
• Assisting with the development and standardization of processes, work instructions, and Lean best practices.
• Collaborating with operators, supervisors, leaders, and cross-functional teams to support site initiatives and improvement projects.
• Ensuring timely completion and measurable results for assigned continuous improvement projects.
• Presenting project outcomes, recommendations, and key learnings to site leadership and stakeholders.

About You

The company is looking for:

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in a relevant discipline at an accredited university, with an anticipated graduation date between December 2027 and May 2029 (rising junior or rising senior).
• Strong academic performance with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Available to work full-time for 12 weeks during summer 2027.
• Reliable transportation to and from the work location.
• Authorization to work in the United States.
• Preferred majors include Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Industrial/Manufacturing Technology, Business Management or Business Administration with a focus on Lean, Continuous Improvement, or Operations.
• Strong communication and organization skills.
• Analytical mindset with interest in Lean/continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly pay range of $20 to $25, depending on experience, skills, and geography.
• Full-time work experience with competitive pay.
• Meaningful projects with business impact.
• Mentorship and guidance.
• Feedback and evaluation.
• Exposure to James Hardie culture.
• Networking opportunities and skill development.