Logistics & Automation (Intern) - 120 - Food City Corporate Center (Abingdon, VA)

At K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc., we are on a mission to "run the best store in town!" and we know our associates are our greatest asset. Kickstart your career with Food City with on-the-job experience through our Summer Internship Program!

Food City Interns work on meaningful projects spanning all solutions and services throughout the company. Created for upcoming Junior and Senior college students, our full-time (40 hours/week), 12-week programs are designed to provide hands-on experience within your area of interest. As an Intern, you will join over 19,000 talented individuals across five states who are leaders, critical thinkers, accountable, innovative, flexible, and results-minded with the same goal – to better serve our communities.

Location: 1 Food City Circle, Abingdon, VA (Corporate Departments)

**Housing options are available through partnership with Emory & Henry University in Emory, VA

Description:

We are seeking a highly motivated Engineering Intern to join our Logistics team. This role is ideal for students or recent graduates passionate about process improvement, automation, and robotics. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to identify inefficiencies, support automation implementation, and support data-driven initiatives that enhance service levels and reduce operational costs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Document and standardize logistics processes and procedures.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support the implementation of process improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen.
• Enhance and build dashboards and KPIs to monitor logistics performance and improvement outcomes.
• Conduct root cause analysis and recommend corrective actions for recurring logistics issues.
• Collaborate with logistics, distribution center leadership, and operations teams to streamline workflows and reduce manual processes.
• Enhance and build dashboards and reports to monitor performance metrics and support decision-making.
• Support the implementation of new technologies such as WMS, TMS, RPA, and AI-based tools.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions and contribute innovative ideas to improve system performance.

Program Requirements:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or related field).
• Strong interest in project management, robotics, automation, and process optimization.
• Familiarity with programming languages (e.g., Python, C++, MATLAB) and data analysis tools, preferred.
• Knowledge of CAD software and basic mechanical design principles, preferred.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.

Not Required, but Encouraged:

• Previous experience in a professional work environment
• Participation in leadership roles
• Community involvement and volunteerism

Documentation Requirements:

• Provide a copy of most recent college transcripts.
• Provide a resume
• Provide one Academic letter of recommendation
• Provide one Professional/Personal letter of recommendation.
• Provide a (personal) written essay with a minimum of 400 words, covering why would you like to intern with K-VA-T/ Food City and what you hope to gain from an internship with our Company.

What You'll Gain:

• Exposure to real-world engineering challenges and data-driven decision-making.
• Mentorship from experienced professionals in engineering and operations.
• Opportunity to contribute to impactful projects that drive efficiency and innovation.

About Food City:

Food City is a privately held, family-owned company with a driving mission to "run the best store in town." Dedicated to giving back to the communities we serve, we encourage our associates to get involved with their local civic organizations. We consider our associates to be our greatest asset. Over 13% of the company is currently owned by our associates through our employee stock ownership plan, promoting tremendous pride in the services and products we provide. Whether your passion is baking, accounting, or trucking, Food City has a promising career opportunity for you. We offer flexible schedules to ensure our associates have ample time to spend with family and friends. If you're looking for a great career or the opportunity to try something different, consider becoming part of the Food City family.