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Continuous Improvement Intern

10/3/2025

The intern will be assigned an independent project focused on improving production line efficiencies and cost reduction in cheese packaging. They will also present their findings to the management team at the end of the program.

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

1,001-5,000 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

About The Company

Great Lakes Cheese is an award-winning, premier manufacturer and packager of natural and processed bulk, shredded, and sliced cheeses. As the nation’s leading natural cheese packager, Great Lakes Cheese serves grocery, club and super stores, as well as restaurant chains and foodservice distributors. The company has a national footprint with facilities in Ohio, New York, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin, and one under construction in Texas. Family- and employee-owned, Great Lakes Cheese celebrated their 60th year of business in 2018. Great Lakes Cheese was founded by Swiss immigrant, Hans Epprecht, who began his store-door delivery business in 1958. Since then, Great Lakes Cheese has grown to a multi-billion dollar revenue company. The company remains privately owned by the Epprecht Family and over 4,000 dedicated employee-owners. In 1998, the Epprecht Family established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which gives all employee-owners a shared 20% stake in the company.

About the Role

Job Overview

The Continuous Improvement internship will provide an opportunity for a student to use their educational training, in conjunction with a “hands on” experience at Great Lakes Cheese, to build their skill sets in cheese manufacturing management. This is a paid 10-week internship running from June through August of 2026. The internship will be conducted at Manchester, TN and will require the student to be located within reasonable commuting distance.

Job Responsibilities

Assigned an independent project (s) in the area of cheese packaging to focus on improved production line efficiencies and cost reduction opportunities.
Notify management of any ideas or areas of improvement to help us increasing productivity.
Always work in a safe manner following internal procedures.
Individual must be capable of executing project assignments, in a team based environment, under limited supervision.
Present his/her project findings/observations/analysis to the management team at the end of the program.
All GLC employees are expected to perform any assignment or job task according to the stated safety policies and procedures.
All GLC employees are expected to produce our products in a manner that exceeds the quality and value expectation of our customers and consumers by adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices, Policies and Procedures outlined in our Safe Quality Food Program.
Other responsibilities as assigned by the manager.

Required Education and Experience

Currently pursuing a Bachlor's degree in Engineering or related field.
Sophomore, Junior, or Senior with at least 2 years of related coursework in an Engineering curriculum.
CAD drawing experience.
Must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
Must be legally authorized to work for a company in the U.S. without sponsorship both now and in the future.

Preferred Education and Experience

Currently pursuing a Master's degree in Engineering or related field.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting.

• Occasional exposure to industrial operations including: temperature extremes from approximately 35ºF to 100ºF; noise levels in excess of 85 dB; moisture and moving machinery.

EEOC & Disclaimer

Great Lakes Cheese is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.

Key Skills

EngineeringCheese ManufacturingProject ManagementProduction Line EfficiencyCost ReductionCAD DrawingGood Manufacturing PracticesTeam CollaborationSafety ProceduresQuality Assurance