Intern: Continuous Improvement ( Lean Six Sigma)

Shurtape is seeking a paid Continuous Improvement (Lean Six Sigma) Intern for the Summer of 2025

5/27/25-8/7/25

M-F in office in Hickory, NC

This position will support the Lean Six Sigma team’s efforts in achieving cost, revenue, service, and quality objectives.

Lean Six Sigma provides a clear path for organizations to improve their operations and stand out from the competition:
• Increase Profits
• Decrease Costs
• Improve Efficiency & Quality
• Improve Customer Satisfaction
• Enhance Employee Development
• In addition to improving organizational performance, it also has a positive impact on employees and improves the way they work.

Other duties may be assigned.

• Support and/or co-lead projects to reduce/eliminate chronic sources of customer complaints, raw material quality issues, waste/scrap, and improve production inefficiencies utilizing Lean Six Sigma methodologies within Shurtape’s North Carolina manufacturing plants.
  • Work with project teams to identify root causes and reduce variability.
  • Create key process flow and/or value stream maps.
  • Initiate and/or revise work instructions.
  • Develop recommendations and implement improvements to support plant continuous improvement goals, requirements, and sustainment of improvements.
  • Provide summaries, conclusions, and presentations related to project completion and findings.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Gain valuable job experience with the concepts, tools and skills related with the Lean Six Sigma methodology, such as root cause identification, problem solving, and statistical data analysis.
• Become familiar with manufacturing operations.
• Project team leadership opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Enrolled in a two- or four-year college degree program within an engineering, science, or technical field major.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer skills required: Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Experience with MS Project and/or statistical analysis software such as Minitab preferred.
• Problem-solving and organizational skills with the ability to work independently, co-lead a project team, adapt to various leadership styles, and initiate and foster a creative, result-orientated atmosphere.
• Strong detail orientation, mathematical aptitude and analytical skills including the ability to translate, calculate, interpret, and communicate numerical and measurement data effectively.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to work in front of a laptop or PC for extended periods of time
• Occasional standing, sitting, walking, and talking on the phone.
• Schedule flexibility may include and before or after hours work.
• Some travel may be required between Shurtape’s North Carolina facilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a fast-paced work environment with consistent pressure to complete duties as outlined above which requires ability to manage multiple projects at a detailed level and provide support to many internal departments in a fast-changing environment.  Many duties listed above are time-sensitive and have strict deadlines for completion. 

• The work environment is primarily split between office environment and the production floor.
• High noise levels in certain parts of the plant.
• High humidity and hot temperatures.
• Required PPE in the manufacturing area (i.e. shoes, safety glasses, and hearing protection).

Shurtape Technologies, LLC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. Shurtape Technologies, LLC does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including identity & expression), medical condition, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business requirement.