Manufacturing Intern

Kerry; Sturtevant (WI); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kerry Group is offering a 2027 summer Manufacturing Intern program in Wisconsin, designed to develop hands-on leadership in lean manufacturing and site-wide improvements.

You’ll work under the Production Manager, supporting safety, quality, and efficiency initiatives, with progression toward people management and potential shift responsibilities, while collaborating with a world-class manufacturing team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree expected Dec 2027–May 2028 in a relevant field.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Motivated self-starter with drive to succeed.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel/PowerPoint/Word).
• Willingness to travel and relocate for rotations.
• Relocation for second rotation is required.

Responsibilities

• Support Site Strategic Agenda and the Kerry Manufacturing Standard implementation.
• Identify and execute initiatives to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery/Service, and Operating efficiency.
• Facilitate and support cross-functional teams on major transformational projects.
• Ensure direct reports are trained for safety and well-being.
• Assist in deploying KPIs, tools, and techniques across site programs.
• Maintain awareness of best practice and modern improvement techniques.
• Engage with Kerry’s problem-solving approach (root cause, 8 steps, etc.).
• Live Kerry values of Courage, Ownership, Inclusiveness, Open-mindedness, and Enterprising Spirit.

Skills

Problem solving

Self-starter

Interpersonal communication

Teamwork

MS Office

Curious mindset

Willingness to travel

Relocation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science Technology; Process Engineering; Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering; Operations Management; Chemical/BioChemical Engineering

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Kerry is the world’s leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. We innovate with our customers to create great tasting products, with improved nutrition and functionality, while ensuring better impact for the planet. Our leading and proprietary consumer insights, global RD&A team of 1,000+ food scientists and local manufacturing footprint in 31 countries enable us to co-create with our customers across over 150 countries. At Kerry, we are driven to be our customers’ most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition, and will reach over 2 billion consumers with sustainable nutrition solutions by 2030.

The food industry is ever-growing, and we pride ourselves in helping customers make better food, in a better way for a better future. Kerry is a global company with several manufacturing facilities across North America. Through the 11-week summer internship program, you will have the opportunity to work and learn in real, impactful roles. The program dates are May 24, 2027, to August 12, 2027.

Manufacturing Intern Overview

You will have responsibility to co-ordinate and drive the delivery of operational targets, initiatives and improvements at one of our manufacturing facilities. You will be required to support department managers in delivering factory performance improvements through the facilitation of Site teams using lean tools and techniques. Initially with a very hands-on approach to developing capability and leadership skills, you will develop into a People Manager with potential Shift Management responsibility. You will have specific project tasks related to driving the introduction of aspects of strategic change as the business continues to grow. Your direct line manager will be the Production Manager, but you may also receive instruction from the Operations Manager or other Managers as appropriate. You will have real opportunity to engage right across the business and make a difference early in your career. You will be supported and work alongside one of the most experienced food manufacturing teams in the world.

Key Responsibilities

What you'll do

• Support the Site Strategic Agenda and the successful implementation and maintenance of the Kerry Manufacturing Standard (Site Audit Standard)
• Identify, manage, and execute initiatives to deliver significant improvements in the areas of: Safety, Quality, Delivery / Service, Operating efficiency, People Management, Materials control and efficiency
• Facilitate and support management teams (and other teams) involved in major transformational projects (e.g. re-engineering the major Site business processes)
• Ensure all direct reports are fully trained and equipped with the necessary skills to operate in an environment that promotes safety and well-being.
• Support site programs to ensure the effective training and deployment of the principles, projects, tools and techniques (as appropriate) and KPIs etc.
• Maintain awareness of best practice and modern improvement techniques
• Ensure familiarity is achieved with Kerry’s preferred method of problem solving (root cause, 8 steps etc.)
• Actively live the Kerry values of Courage, Ownership, Inclusiveness, Open-mindedness, & Enterprising Spirit

Qualifications and Skills

What you'll need to be successful

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited college or university in Food Science Technology, Process Engineering, Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management or Chemical/BioChemical Engineering , with an anticipated graduation date between December 2027 to May 2028
• Exceptional problem-solving skills
• Motivated self-starter with the determination and drive to succeed
• Strong interpersonal skills with the proven ability to communicate effectively to all levels of an organization
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• A curious mindset
• Willingness to travel
• Relocation for the second rotation is required

Compensation Data

The pay rate for this position is $21.00 per hour. This job posting is anticipated to expire on March 31, 2027.

We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams.

Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found atKnow Your Rights Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).