Inventory Digitization & Process Improvement Intern

Position Overview

Perry's Ice Cream is seeking a highly motivated intern to gain hands-on experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain processes, business analytics, and digital transformation. The intern will evaluate existing workflows, document current-state processes, develop digital solutions using Microsoft business applications, and measure the operational impact of implemented improvements.

In addition to project work, the intern will be exposed to broader business operations through participation in cross-functional meetings, including Operations, Supply Chain, Inventory Management, Safety, Continuous Improvement, and New Product Development.

Primary Internship Project: Inventory Transaction Digitization

The primary assignment will focus on modernizing the material usage and inventory transaction process used between the warehouse and production departments. Current processes rely heavily on paper documentation to track materials issued to production, materials consumed during manufacturing, and materials returned to inventory. These transactions require significant manual review and data entry by Supply Chain personnel.

The intern will:

- Document current material transaction workflows.

- Identify process inefficiencies and opportunities for automation.

- Develop digital tools to capture material usage information directly from production operations.

- Reduce manual data entry requirements.

- Improve inventory transaction accuracy and visibility.

- Quantify labor savings and business impact.

- Deliver recommendations for future system integration opportunities.

Additional Internship Projects

As time permits, the intern may support other digitization and process improvement initiatives, including:

- Digitization of paper-based operational records and logs.

- Production waste and reclaim tracking processes.

- Sanitation inspection and verification records.

- Plant audit and inspection workflows.

- Operational forms and workflow automation.

- Overtime system enhancements and optimization.

- Power BI dashboard enhancements and reporting improvements.

- Downtime reporting analysis and data quality initiatives.

- Additional continuous improvement projects identified by Operations and Supply Chain leadership or the intern.

Key Responsibilities

- Analyze existing business processes and identify opportunities for digitization.

- Conduct process mapping and workflow documentation.

- Develop digital forms, workflows, and applications using Microsoft Power Platform tools, including Power Apps, Power Automate, Forms, SharePoint, and related technologies.

- Support Power BI reporting enhancements and data visualization initiatives.

- Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Warehouse, Quality, Maintenance, and Information Technology teams.

- Collect and analyze operational data to measure project effectiveness.

- Create standard work and user documentation for implemented solutions.

- Present project updates and recommendations to leadership teams.

- Participate in continuous improvement activities and operational meetings.

Preferred Qualifications

- Pursuing a degree in Business Analytics, Information Systems, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Data Analytics, Computer Science, or a related field.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

- Interest in manufacturing operations and process improvement.

- Experience with Microsoft Excel and data analysis.

- Familiarity with Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, SharePoint, SQL, Python, or related technologies is beneficial but not required.

- Strong communication and organizational skills.

- Ability to work independently while collaborating across multiple departments.

Expected Outcomes

- Completion of a major inventory transaction digitization project.

- Measurable reduction in manual administrative effort.

- Improved operational data accuracy and accessibility.

- Implementation of one or more additional digitization initiatives.

- Executive-level project presentation summarizing findings, recommendations, and business impact.

Learning Opportunities

The intern will gain practical experience in:

- Manufacturing Operations

- Supply Chain Management

- Inventory Control

- Business Process Improvement

- Digital Transformation

- Data Analytics and Reporting

- Microsoft Power Platform Development

- Continuous Improvement Methodologies

- Cross-Functional Project Leadership