Location: Boksburg Factory, Gauteng, South Africa Company: Unilever Duration: 12-Month Internship (Full-Time, 100% On-Site) Category: Supply Chain / Manufacturing Operations
Company Profile
Unilever is a globally recognized fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) powerhouse committed to creating a better future every day for its global consumers, partners, and communities. Driven by a belief in doing work that matters for both people and the planet, Unilever operates on a foundation of equity, inclusion, and workplace diversity. The organization purposefully aims to recruit top-tier talent that reflects national demographics, offering a fair, respectful, and supportive space where employees are encouraged to bring their “Whole Self” to work.
Advantages of the Internship
- World-Class Methodology: Gain firsthand exposure to the Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) and World Class Manufacturing (WCM) frameworks at a major production site.
- Structured Mentorship: Work directly under the guidance of the Site Manufacturing Excellence Lead, Production teams, and specialized Pillar Leaders.
- True Shopfloor Immersion: This is a 100% hands-on, site-based practical experience designed to transition your academic engineering knowledge into real industrial capabilities.
- Career-Defining Foundation: Building a continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing portfolio at Unilever opens up premier long-term opportunities across the global supply chain sector.
- Commitment to Inclusion: Benefit from an equal opportunity culture that actively respects diversity and invests in the personal growth and development of its interns.
Key Responsibilities
As a ManEx Intern, you will actively support the execution and sustainability of manufacturing excellence systems at the Boksburg Factory. Your daily responsibilities include:
- UMS & WCM Support: Assisting pillar leaders (Autonomous Maintenance, Planned Maintenance, Focused Improvement, Quality Control) to execute shopfloor actions and maintain plant standards.
- Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement: Participating in root cause analysis, implementing countermeasures, and assisting Production Engineers with focused improvement initiatives (Kaizens).
- SOP & Technical Documentation: Helping develop, deploy, and validate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), One Point Lessons (OPLs), and technical standards.
- Shopfloor Standardization: Participating in daily/weekly performance routines, identifying line abnormalities, and supporting visual management systems and 5S standards.
- Capability Building: Partnering with site operators and technicians to improve their adherence to operational standards and strengthen line-level capabilities.
- SHE Compliance: Ensuring absolute, unwavering adherence to site Safety, Quality, and Environmental standards at all times.
Job Requirements & Qualifications
- Formal Education: A completed Degree or National Diploma in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related engineering field.
- Technical Knowledge: A solid foundational understanding of Lean, TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), Manufacturing Excellence, or continuous improvement methodologies.
- Tools: Strong proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications, specifically Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Core Skills: A strong problem-solving mindset, exceptional initiative, a hands-on attitude, and the willingness to spend your time actively working on the factory floor.
- Legal: Must have the lawful ability to work in South Africa (South African Employment Equity and legislation will be considered during appointment).
Career Advice for Applicants
- Emphasize Your Floor Readiness: This role requires 100% time attendance on-site at the Boksburg Factory. In your application, make it clear that you possess a “hands-on” attitude and are eager to work directly alongside operators and machinery on the shop floor rather than just sitting at a desk.
- Highlight Lean/WCM Academic Projects: If you did a university project or design thesis on plant layout optimizations, 5S implementations, process bottlenecks, or time studies, place it right at the top of your CV to prove your basic understanding of continuous improvement.
- Detail Your Excel Skills: Manufacturing excellence relies heavily on data tracking, line loss analysis, and performance reviews. Highlighting intermediate to advanced Excel skills (like data formatting, formulas, or charting) will instantly strengthen your profile.
Possible Interview Questions
Technical & Methodology Questions
- Question: This role focuses heavily on supporting World Class Manufacturing (WCM) and UMS activities. Can you explain your understanding of the 5S methodology, and how it contributes to shopfloor safety and productivity?
- Question: Imagine a packaging line at the factory is experiencing unexpected minor stoppages. Walk us through how you would use a basic root cause analysis tool (like the “5 Whys” or a Fishbone diagram) to help the production team find the source of the problem.
- Question: What is a One Point Lesson (OPL), and how would you go about creating one to help factory operators adhere to a new technical standard?
Behavioral & Cultural Questions
- Question (High Initiative): Tell us about a time during your engineering studies or a practical project where you noticed an inefficiency or an abnormality and took the initiative to fix it without being asked.
- Question (Communication & Collaboration): As an intern, you will need to work closely with both senior engineering pillar leaders and shopfloor operators. How do you adapt your communication style to ensure you build trust and respect with operators at the line level?
- Question (Safety Culture): Unilever maintains strict Safety, Quality, and Environmental standards. If you observed an experienced technician bypassing a safety protocol on the shop floor to hit a production target, how would you handle the situation?