Operations Intern – Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement IFA Rotorion North America LLC – Summerville, SC IFA Rotorion North America LLC is the North American headquarters for one of the world's leading suppliers of drive shafts for the automotive industry. Located in Summerville, South Carolina, and Novi, Michigan, the IFA brand is well-known and respected around the world. Our unique combination of German and American culture provides our associates with an excellent working environment and a comprehensive total compensation package. Position Summary: As an Operations Intern, you will gain practical experience in supporting the day-to-day functions of a high-volume automotive manufacturing facility. This internship offers exposure to production planning, process improvement, supply chain coordination, and operational analytics while working closely with multiple departments to ensure efficiency and productivity. Key Responsibilities: - Active participation in Continuous Improvement initiatives to streamline production flow, workflow tracking, and operational reporting.
- Support coordination between manufacturing, quality, and logistics to maintain material availability and meet production targets.
- Contribute to process improvement projects, including data collection, analysis, and recommendations.
- Maintain and update operational performance metrics and dashboards.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities in production and supply chain processes.
- Assist with cross-functional initiatives to improve safety, quality, and productivity.
- Prepare reports, presentations, and documentation for management meetings.
Qualifications: - Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or related field
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word; familiarity with ERP systems (SAP preferred)
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills (Power BI preferred)
- Familiarity with Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing Tools (Cycle Time Analysis, Line Balancing, Kanban, SMED, etc)
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
- Detail-oriented with a problem-solving mindset
What You Will Gain: - Real-world experience in operations management within a global automotive manufacturing setting
- Exposure to end-to-end operational processes, from procurement to production to delivery
- Hands-on involvement in process improvement and efficiency projects
- Mentorship and networking opportunities with experienced operations professionals
Physical Requirements: - Must be able to walk/move about a 500,000 sq ft manufacturing facility: 90% of the time
- Must be able to stand/walk/move about specific work area: 75% of the time
- Must be able to bend/reach/twist/stoop: 40% of the time
- Must be able to lift up to 30lbs on a frequent basis: 30% of the time
- Must be able to lift over 30lbs on an infrequent basis: 10% of the time
- Must be able to push/pull materials using motorized and non-motorized material handling equipment on an infrequent basis: 20% of the time
- Must be able to sit at a work station: 80% of the time
- Must be able to work and operate a computer terminal: 80% of the time
- Vision is required to analyze and process work; and to work on computer terminal/machine centers, etc.
- Hearing is essential for safety reasons; and to communicate with employees, supervisors, managers, vendors, suppliers and customers via conversation, group meetings, and/or phone conferences
AAP/EEO Statement IFA North America provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, IFA North America complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. |