About Us:
Kem Krest is a certified minority-owned business (MBE) and a leading provider of Total Program Management solutions, helping customers optimize supply chains through Supply Chain Optimization, Chemical Packaging, End-to-End Fulfillment, and Aftersales Solutions. With more than 45 years of experience, we partner with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across the Automotive, Agricultural, Powersports, Heavy-Duty, Retail, and Defense industries.
Kem Krest operates 11 locations throughout the United States and Canada, including Indiana (Elkhart, Bristol), Michigan (Brighton, Fowlerville), Wisconsin (Pleasant Prairie), Arizona (Phoenix), Ontario (Oakville), and Alberta (Edmonton).
Our Culture:
At Kem Krest, we are inspired by hardworking people who want to make a meaningful impact on our industry and communities. Our team members are key to our success and essential to fulfilling our promise: "Customer Focused, Solutions Driven."
Our workplace embraces collaboration, celebrates achievement, and invests in people. We seek individuals who share our mission and passion for excellence. We recognize that every associate represents our organization and contributes to our continued growth. We foster an inclusive environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and the open exchange of ideas. Through servant leadership, community involvement, and our commitment to a "Customer First / Associate First" philosophy, we create opportunities for our associates and customers to thrive.
Internship Overview:
The Engineering Intern will gain hands-on experience supporting engineering, operations, and continuous improvement initiatives within a fast-paced warehouse, manufacturing, and distribution environment. Working alongside engineering, operations, quality, safety, and project teams, the intern will collect and analyze data, evaluate workflows, document processes, and help implement solutions that improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
This role provides valuable exposure to industrial engineering, process optimization, Lean methodologies, facility operations, and project management while contributing to real-world business challenges and operational priorities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct time studies, process observations, workflow analyses, and data collection on the warehouse and production floor.
- Support the development of labor standards, capacity models, process maps, facility layouts, work instructions, and standard operating procedures.
- Analyze operational data using Excel and summarize findings, trends, risks, and recommendations for project stakeholders.
- Assist with continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean principles, root-cause analysis, 5S, error-proofing, and waste reduction methodologies.
- Evaluate material flow, ergonomics, workstation design, equipment utilization, storage methods, and space requirements.
- Participate in process trials, validations, implementation activities, and post-launch follow-up for new and improved processes.
- Create visual aids, presentations, trackers, and project documentation for both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate project progress, observations, and opportunities for improvement.
- Adhere to all safety, quality, confidentiality, and regulatory requirements while promoting a safe working environment.
- Support special engineering projects and other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
- Completed foundational coursework in engineering, statistics, operations, manufacturing, or process improvement; sophomore standing or above preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
- Comfortable working both at a desk and in an active warehouse or manufacturing environment.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Reliable transportation to the Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin facility.
- Positive attitude, eagerness to learn, and strong attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with AutoCAD, Visio, Power BI, Minitab, ERP/WMS systems, simulation software, or similar analytical tools.
- Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, work measurement, facility layout, automation, quality systems, or project management methodologies.
- Previous internship, co-op, manufacturing, warehouse, laboratory, or other hands-on technical experience.
- Interest in continuous improvement, operations excellence, and process optimization.
Benefits:
- Gain hands-on experience solving real operational challenges with measurable business impact.
- Work closely with experienced engineering, operations, and supply chain professionals.
- Exposure to cross-functional initiatives involving engineering, operations, quality, safety, and customer-focused project work.
- Opportunity to present findings, recommendations, and project outcomes to business leaders.
- Build a portfolio of practical deliverables, including analyses, layouts, labor standards, process maps, and continuous improvement projects.
- Flexible scheduling to accommodate academic commitments where possible.