Are you a recently qualified Industrial Engineering graduate looking to launch your career in a dynamic, real-world production environment? Grain Field Chickens, a subsidiary of VKB Agriculture (Pty) Ltd, is offering an exciting internship opportunity for a driven and detail-oriented graduate to gain hands-on experience within one of South Africa’s leading integrated broiler operations.

Based in Reitz in the North Eastern Free State, Grain Field Chickens operates a fully integrated abattoir and offers graduates the rare chance to apply their academic knowledge within a professional, well-established corporate environment — all set against the backdrop of the South African countryside.

About the Role

The Industrial Engineering University Graduate will work closely with an experienced Industrial Engineer, building core competencies across process design, continuous improvement, and production optimisation. This is a structured learning opportunity where you will be guided and mentored until fully competent across all areas of responsibility.

Your key focus areas will include designing efficient production processes to eliminate waste, identifying improvement projects within the processing environment, conducting ergonomic studies across departments, and driving the Continuous Improvement Programme (20 Keys). You will also assist with balancing production lines for maximum throughput, simulating scenarios to prevent bottlenecks, and supporting root cause analysis initiatives using tools such as 5 Whys and Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams.

Additional responsibilities include streamlining complex workflows to reduce cycle times, eliminating non-value-added activities (Muda), monitoring process stability through Statistical Process Control (SPC), and providing coordination support to key leaders on action plans and goal achievement matrices.

What You’ll Need

To qualify, you must hold a Bachelor’s Degree (NQF7) or National Diploma (NQF6) in Industrial Engineering. Applicants must be currently unemployed, require practical experience, and must not have previously participated in any internship, learnership, or graduate programme — this must be your first such opportunity.

A solid understanding of Lean and IE methodologies is essential, including Value Stream Mapping (VSM), SIPOC, flow charts, the 7+ wastes (DOWNTIME framework), Kaizen facilitation, and root cause analysis tools. Proficiency in the MS Office suite is required, and a willingness to work overtime and weekends when required is expected.

The ideal candidate is analytical, meticulous, and highly organised, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. You must be a team player who can also work independently, manage deadlines effectively, and engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels. Strict confidentiality, adaptability, and the ability to take ownership of your responsibilities are qualities this role demands.

Why Apply?

This is an outstanding opportunity to develop a strong foundation in industrial engineering practice within a structured and supportive environment. VKB Group is a reputable employer with an approved Employment Equity Plan, and actively encourages applications from people with disabilities.

👉 Apply now for the Industrial Engineering Graduate position at Grain Field Chickens

Closing Date: 12 March 2026. Should you not receive a response within four weeks of the closing date, please regard your application as unsuccessful.