About the role#
The Manufacturing Intern will support day-to-day operations, process improvement initiatives, safety activities, and production-related projects within the Specialty Engineered Materials manufacturing facility. This role provides hands-on exposure to manufacturing operations, continuous improvement, quality systems, maintenance coordination, and plant leadership. You will work cross-functionally with operations, engineering, quality, maintenance, warehouse, and EHS teams, supporting both office-based and plant-floor activities.
What you'll do#
- Support manufacturing operations by assisting with production data collection, process observations, standard work documentation, and operational follow-up.
- Participate in continuous improvement projects focused on safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, changeover improvement, and cost savings.
- Assist with tracking and reporting key performance indicators such as production performance, downtime, scrap, first-pass quality, inventory accuracy, and safety actions.
- Support root cause analysis activities by gathering data, documenting findings, and helping identify corrective actions.
- Help document standard operating procedures, work instructions, training materials, and visual management tools.
- Partner with production, maintenance, quality, engineering, warehouse, and EHS teams to complete assigned projects and improve plant processes.
- Participate in GEMBA walks, team meetings, project reviews, and other operational routines to gain exposure to manufacturing leadership practices.
What you'll need#
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
- Strong interest in manufacturing operations, process improvement, safety, quality, and problem solving.
- Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and summarize findings clearly.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a cross-functional team.
- Prior internship, manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse, maintenance, or operations experience is preferred but not required.
Location & details#
- Location: Avon Lake, OH, United States
- Term: Fall 2026
- Work Modality: On-site
- Status: Paid, full-time
About Avient Corporation
Avient Corporation is a plastics manufacturing company founded in 2000. It produces colorants, advanced composites, functional additives, and engineered materials. The firm employs 9,000 people across its global operations. It is headquartered in Avon Lake, Ohio.
How to get in at Avient Corporation
To land an internship at Avient Corporation, you need to monitor their openings closely. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first. Early applicants get seen before the pile grows, which is a significant advantage when competition is high. You should also focus on building a direct connection with the hiring team. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the role or a referral. This approach materially improves response rates compared to submitting a cold application.
