Strategic PM Intern - Product Innovation (Summer 2027)

Elkay Manufacturing Corporation; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation in Downers Grove, IL offers a Project Management Intern (Summer 2027) role designed to give hands-on experience in new product development, cross-functional leadership, and process improvement within our Drinking Water/Filtration lines.

You will work with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to move a defined project from concept through milestones, while evaluating and improving the innovation process.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in business, engineering, project management, or related field.
• Strong academic performance and demonstrated leadership experience.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead projects and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Lead a strategic innovation project within the Drinking Water or Filtration business unit.
• Define project objectives, deliverables, timelines, risks, and success metrics.
• Coordinate activities across Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain teams.
• Track project progress and communicate updates to stakeholders and leadership.
• Identify risks, obstacles, and opportunities and develop mitigation plans.
• Present project recommendations, business cases, and outcomes to leadership teams.
• Learn and actively participate in the company’s Stage‑Gate product development process.
• Attend gate reviews, project meetings, and innovation planning sessions.
• Document process observations, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Analyze project workflows, decision points, and team interactions.
• Benchmark best practices and recommend enhancements to improve project execution, speed to market, and cross-functional alignment.
• Support the implementation and testing of approved process improvements.
• Build project management capabilities through real-world project ownership.
• Develop executive presentation and communication skills.
• Gain exposure to product strategy, innovation management, and business operations.
• Partner with mentors and business leaders for coaching and career development.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree (business, engineering, project management, or related)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation in Downers Grove, IL offers a Project Management Intern (Summer 2027) role designed to give hands-on experience in new product development, cross-functional leadership, and process improvement within our Drinking Water/Filtration lines.

You will work with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to move a defined project from concept through milestones, while evaluating and improving the innovation process.