Continuous Improvement Lead Intern

Kraft Heinz · San Diego

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The CI Lead Intern partners with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and other cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement across safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This role leads and supports hands-on improvement initiatives, develops and maintains standard work and performance systems, and coaches teams to identify, prioritize, and eliminate losses using Lean / Six Sigma and structured problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and streamlining processes to enhance overall operational efficiency.
• Support and lead hands-on improvement projects including (but not limited to) digitalization, reporting, visualization, 5S, and Six Sigma initiatives.
• Provide administrative and operational support to the plant/operations team (data entry, file organization, document management).
• Contribute to the development and implementation of innovative operational initiatives to optimize organizational effectiveness.
• Conduct research and analysis to identify improvement opportunities and provide recommendations.
• Support implementation of new projects and/or new standards.
• Create and manage weekly action plans aligned to operational priorities.
• Create One-Point Lessons (OPLs) and deliver/coordinate training as needed.
• Support operational meetings (including supporting all shifts as needed).

Primary Functions (Include but are not limited to)

• Study functional statements and project information to determine responsibilities and propose productivity, profitability, quality improvements, and cost-reduction opportunities.
• Establish work measurement programs; analyze work samples to develop labor utilization standards.
• Analyze workforce utilization, equipment layout, and operational data (production cost, process flow, schedules) to improve utilization of people and equipment.
• Recommend methods to improve efficiency and reduce waste of materials/utilities (restructure duties, reorganize workflow, relocate workstations/equipment).
• Provide technical and problem-solving support to departments; recommend equipment/process improvements to reduce cost and increase efficiency.
• Participate in cross-functional implementation teams to deliver improvements with minimal production interruption and with full stakeholder alignment.
• Coach and mentor others to plan, develop, and execute CI projects that generate annual savings and/or performance improvements.
• Facilitate line loss analysis (waste elimination, yield improvement) and line throughput improvement plans.
• Lead transformation analysis, centerline definition, and associated standard development.
• Analyze daily and shift line data to identify and prioritize loss-elimination opportunities.
• Participate in internal audit programs, food safety committee activities, and sanitary design teams as required.
• Spend time on the floor to gather information on stops, centerlines, and changeovers over the past 24 hours.
• Investigate initial root cause of top stops; develop plan-of-day for ownership areas.
• Attend Level 2 meetings and DDS meetings; discuss top stops/root causes and establish countermeasures in the plan-of-day.
• Ensure centerline completion and compliance; develop countermeasures for outages.
• Partner with Process Owner and Maintenance Lead to address sporadic losses.
• Lead Universal Problem Solving to eliminate chronic losses for assigned lines/areas.
• Manage centerline and Quality Daily Management Systems.
• Comply with GMPs, housekeeping guidelines/responsibilities, and QRMP operating procedures.
• Assist in implementation of the QRMP program; serve as trainer for new associates as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize tasks efficiently and manage multiple deliverables.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; effective collaboration at all levels.
• Strong problem-solving capability (6W-2H, 5-Why, Root Cause Analysis) with a creative, resourceful mindset.
• Team-oriented and independent; proactive and positive approach to work.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with people of varying skills and backgrounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; willingness to learn new tools/software.
• Decision-making skills: identifies problems, evaluates options, and acts appropriately in daily execution.

Education / Experience / Qualifications

• Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field desired, but not required.
• HS Diploma and technical training required.
• Strong/advanced Microsoft Office and Excel skills preferred.
• AM Step 2 qualified or demonstrate expertise in CIL and Basic Problem Solving (6W-2H).
• Willingness to become Centerline Management System qualified within one (1) month.
• Willingness to become Green Belt qualified within one (1) year.

Work Schedule / Flexibility Requirements

• Flexibility to adjust shifts to support employees across all shifts as needed.
• Ability to work off-shifts, holidays, weekends, and overtime when necessary.

Location(s)

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com.

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