Production Intern (m,w,d)

Symrise AG; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 67,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Symrise South Africa invites unemployed youth for a YES Programme internship in a dynamic food manufacturing environment. You will support daily production, engage in quality and safety initiatives, and learn production planning, process optimization, and operational excellence.

You will collaborate with production, quality, and engineering teams while developing hands-on skills in GMP, HSE, Lean Manufacturing and 5S principles.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate or final-year student in Production Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• Completed tertiary qualification is required to be eligible.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Support daily production activities and ensure smooth manufacturing operations.
• Participate in quality, food safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Learn about production planning, process optimization, and operational excellence.
• Work closely with production, quality, and engineering teams.
• Develop practical experience in GMP, HSE, Lean Manufacturing, and 5S principles.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Team player

Communication

Eager to learn

Proactive

Attention to detail

Education

Completed tertiary qualification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances and flavors, cosmetic active ingredients as well as functional ingredients. Its customers include perfume, cosmetics, food and beverage manufacturers, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of dietary supplements and pet food.

The Group, headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, has more than 100 locations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, the USA and Latin America.

Together with its customers, Symrise develops new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. Economic success and corporate responsibility are inextricably linked.

Symrise - always inspiring more...

About the Role

• Gain hands‑on experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Support daily production activities and ensure smooth manufacturing operations.
• Participate in quality, food safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Learn about production planning, process optimization, and operational excellence.
• Work closely with production, quality, and engineering teams.
• Develop practical experience in GMP, HSE, Lean Manufacturing, and 5S principles.

About the YES Programme

This internship forms part of the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme, a business‑led collaboration with the South African Government aimed at reducing youth unemployment by creating opportunities for young people to develop new skills and gain meaningful workplace experience.

Since 2022, Symrise South Africa has proudly supported this initiative and remains committed to creating opportunities for unemployed youth while contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future.

About You

• Recent graduate or final‑year student in Production Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Interested in building a career within manufacturing and production operations.
• Basic understanding of production processes and quality standards.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good attention to detail and ability to work accurately.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Eager to learn, proactive, and a team player.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Strong communication skills and commitment to health, safety, and quality standards.

To be eligible for this opportunity, you must:

• Be an unemployed South African youth between the ages of 18 and 29.
• Hold a completed tertiary qualification.
• Be currently unemployed.
• Not have participated in a YES4Youth Programme previously.

Our Offer

Become part of our open and transparent culture. It will give you the opportunity to flourish and to develop inspiring experiences that contribute to the health and well‑being of consumers in 160 countries around the world. Putting our employees in the focus fuels our strong company growth above market rates and makes us an excellent place to develop your career.

Come join us and embark on a fascinating journey with Symrise.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.