Program Intern, Operations Excellence

Pilot Flying J; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilot Company is seeking an Operations Excellence, Continuous Improvement Intern to join our team in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the summer of 2027. This internship offers hands-on exposure to real-world process improvement and data-driven problem solving, helping accelerate strategic initiatives across the business.

You’ll work with our Continuous Improvement team to support data tasks, analyze projects, and contribute to initiatives that reduce cycle times and improve data quality, while

Qualifications

• Education: rising junior, senior, or graduate student, with a major in Industrial Engineering preferred.
• Extensive experience with Excel and PowerPoint is required; Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma is a plus.
• Soft Skills: dynamic thinker, problem-solver, true thought partner, team player, proactive and able to work with stakeholders at different levels.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational efficiency by supporting data-driven insights and resolving complex process issues.
• Accelerate project completion by assisting with data tasks and deeper analyses for ongoing initiatives.
• Analyze and inform with actionable data insights for process redesign and automation efforts.
• Support key projects leading to measurable improvements like reduced cycle times and improved data quality.
• Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels as a proactive, reliable thought partner.

Skills

Excel

PowerPoint

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Industrial Engineering

Job description

Pilot Company is an industry-leading network of travel centers with more than 30,000 team members and over 750 retail and fueling locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces. Our energy and logistics division serves as a top supplier of fuel, employing one of the largest tanker fleets and providing critical services to oil operations in our nation's busiest basins. Pilot Company supports a growing portfolio of brands with expertise in supply chain and retail operations, logistics and transportation, technology and digital innovation, construction, maintenance, human resources, finance, sales and marketing.

Founded in 1958 by Jim A. Haslam II and currently led by CEO Adam Wright, our founding values, people-first culture and commitment to giving back remains true to us today. Whether we are serving guests, a fellow team member, or a trucking company, we are dedicated to fueling people and keeping North America moving.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Military encouraged to apply.

Job Description

Are you a proactive and analytical student with a passion for process improvement and strategic problem-solving? Pilot Company is seeking an Operations Excellence, Continuous Improvement Intern to join our team in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the summer of 2027. This is a unique opportunity to directly accelerate our strategic objective of enhancing organizational efficiency and resolving complex process issues across the business.

In this role, you will be an integral part of our Continuous Improvement team. Your work will involve providing data-driven insights to support rapid, sustainable improvements, which will have a direct impact on high-impact initiatives. This is an ideal position for someone who is a true thought partner, can solve problems differently, and wants to make a tangible impact on a company-wide scale.

What You’ll Do

• Drive operational efficiency: Help enhance organizational efficiency by supporting data-driven insights and resolving complex process issues.
• Accelerate project completion: Assist with essential data tasks, enabling deeper analysis of ongoing projects and supporting evidence for new initiatives.
• Analyze and inform: Contribute to actionable data insights that directly inform process redesign and automation efforts.
• Support key projects: Work with our team on projects that lead to quantifiable improvements like reduced cycle times and enhanced data quality.
• Collaborate and problem-solve: Work autonomously as a proactive, reliable, and authentic thought partner, collaborating with stakeholders at all levels of the business.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• Education: The ideal candidate is a rising junior, senior, or graduate student, with a major in Industrial Engineering being preferred.
• Technical Skills: Extensive experience with Excel and PowerPoint is required. Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma systems is a plus.
• Soft Skills: A dynamic thinker who can solve problems creatively. We're looking for someone who is a true thought partner, a team player, and can work with stakeholders at different levels. The ability to work autonomously and be proactive is crucial.
• Experience: Previous professional experience is preferred, and some extracurricular activities are a plus.
• Qualities: We value individuals who are driven, reliable, authentic, and welcoming.

Additional Information

Why Pilot Company?

Our culture is built on four core virtues: Driven, Reliable, Authentic, and Welcoming. As an intern, you will see these values in action every day. You'll be part of a team that is driven to meet deadlines, reliable in its commitment to accuracy, authentic in its interactions, and welcoming to new ideas and perspectives.

This is a full-time, in-person internship running from June 7 – August 13, 2027. You’ll be working alongside our team in our Knoxville headquarters, where you’ll have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and experience the full scope of life at Pilot Company.