Continuous Improvement / Industrial Engineering Internship

Program Objective

The Continuous Improvement / Industrial Engineering Intern will develop hands-on experience in manufacturing performance analysis and process optimization by learning and applying Industrial Engineering methods focused on time study, cycle time, takt time, and line balancing.  Throughout the duration of this 16 week program, the Intern will support Mezzetta’s effort to improve packaging line performance, reduce bottlenecks, and identify opportunities for efficiency and labor optimization.

By the end of the internship, the Intern will:

• Understand and apply time study and work measurement techniques.
• Calculate and interpret cycle time, takt time, and OEE-related metrics.
• Identify bottlenecks and develop data-based process improvement proposals.
• Demonstrate practical Lean problem-solving in a real production environment.
• Present technical findings and communicate improvement ideas effectively.

16 Week Program Outline

Week 1 Focus Area – Orientation & Training

• Onboarding: Safety, GMP, food manufacturing overview
• Overview of Mezzetta packaging lines
• Introduction to Lean concepts and time study methods

Week 2 Focus Area – Process Familiarization

• Observe selected packaging lines in operation
• Map process flow (from depalletizing to case pack)
• Identify key workstations and operator roles

Week 3 – Focus Area – Time Study Training & Data Collection Plan

• Learn time study methods (manual stopwatch or digital)
• Define cycle elements and observation approach
• Create a data collection sheet and sampling plan

Weeks 4 & 5 Focus Area – Execute Time Studies

• Collect detailed cycle time data for each station
• Record operator performance, idle time, micro-stops
• Validate repeatability and accuracy of measurements

Week 6 Focus Area – Data Analysis:  Cycle & Takt Time

• Calculate average cycle time per station
• Compute line takt time vs customer demand
• Identify imbalances and bottlenecks

Week 7 Focus Area – Line Balancing & Optimization Opportunities

• Use data to evaluate workload distribution
• Simulate potential line balance improvements
• Identify waste (waiting, motion, overprocessing)

Weeks 8 & 9 Focus Area – Test Improvement Hypotheses

• Work with operators and supervisors to trial small changes (layout, sequence, method, job rotation)
• Measure new cycle times and validate improvements

Week 10 Focus Area – Optimization Documentation

• Standardize improved methods
• Develop or update standard work charts and SOPs

Weeks 11 – 16 Focus Area – Sustainability & Handoff

• Train operators or leads on improved process
• Create visual management aids (takt board, KPI chart)

Week 16 Focus Area – Final Presentation

• Present “Process Optimization Findings” to CI and Operations leadership:
  – What was studied
  – Data-driven findings
  – Implemented improvements and quantified benefits
  – Future recommendations

Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled as a junior or senior in college and studying Electrical, Mechanical, Process Engineering or similarly manufacturing related discipline
• Must be able to be on site in American Canyon (flexible on hours/schedule)

Familiarity with the following is a plus:

• Stopwatch or digital time study tools (Zebra, MODAPTS, etc.)
• Excel for data analysis and charts
• Line balancing diagrams
• Standard Work Sheet and Takt Board templates