Production Scheduling & AI Digitization Intern

Position Overview

Perry's Ice Cream is seeking a highly motivated intern to support the digitization and modernization of manufacturing and supply chain planning processes. This role will work directly with Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Information Technology teams to document, analyze, improve, and digitize critical business processes.

The primary focus of this internship will be the development of a digital production scheduling framework that serves as the foundation for future optimization and AI-assisted scheduling capabilities.

This is a hands-on opportunity for a student to lead a meaningful business project from process mapping through implementation while gaining exposure to manufacturing, supply chain planning, continuous improvement, data analytics, and emerging AI technologies.

Key Responsibilities

- Document and analyze current production scheduling and planning processes.

- Identify manual activities, inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for automation.

- Develop process maps and workflow documentation.

- Create databases and dashboards to support production planning and capacity analysis.

- Analyze production rates, changeover times, equipment constraints, inventory levels, and customer demand.

- Support development of digital scheduling tools and decision-support systems.

- Evaluate opportunities to apply optimization techniques and artificial intelligence to scheduling decisions.

- Develop reporting tools and visual management systems using Excel, Power BI, SharePoint, or other business software.

- Present findings and recommendations to Operations and Leadership teams.

- Participate in cross-functional meetings including Operations, Supply Chain, Inventory, New Product Development, Safety, and Continuous Improvement.

Project Objectives

The intern will be expected to progress through five phases:

Phase 1 - Process Mapping: Document current scheduling and planning processes and identify decision points, data sources, and constraints.

Phase 2 - Data & System Development: Create structured databases for production rates, changeovers, product families, equipment capabilities, and scheduling parameters.

Phase 3 - Analytics & Visualization: Develop dashboards and reporting tools that provide visibility into capacity, inventory, service levels, and production requirements.

Phase 4 - Scheduling Optimization: Design and test scheduling models that improve efficiency, reduce changeovers, and better utilize manufacturing capacity.

Phase 5 - AI Readiness: Evaluate and prototype AI-assisted planning tools capable of recommending scheduling decisions and analyzing production tradeoffs.

Preferred Qualifications

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

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

- Experience with Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.

- Interest in manufacturing, operations, automation, and process improvement.

- Ability to work independently and manage projects.

- Strong communication and presentation skills.

What Makes This Internship Unique

This internship is designed to provide real-world project ownership. The successful candidate will lead initiatives that directly impact manufacturing operations while gaining exposure to executive decision-making, cross-functional business processes, and emerging AI applications in industry.