Company: Unilever
Location: Boksburg, Gauteng
Function: Supply Chain
Reports to: Manufacturing Excellence Lead
Contract Type: 12-Month Internship | Full-Time | On-Site

Unilever is offering a Manufacturing Excellence (ManEx) Operations Internship at its Boksburg Factory — an opportunity for a driven, hands-on graduate to gain real experience in World Class Manufacturing within one of the world’s most recognised FMCG companies.

This is not a desk-bound internship. You will be on the shopfloor, working directly with production teams, pillar leaders, and operators to implement improvement initiatives and embed sustainable manufacturing practices across the factory.

About the Role

As a ManEx Intern, you will support the execution and sustainability of the Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) at site level. Working alongside the Site ManEx Lead and Production teams, you will contribute to improvement initiatives, restore basic conditions, and help drive World Class Manufacturing standards across the factory.

What You Will Be Doing

Your responsibilities will span across multiple pillars and daily factory operations, including:

• Supporting the implementation and sustainability of UMS and World Class Manufacturing activities on the shopfloor
• Assisting pillar leaders across AM, PM, FI, and QC in executing pillar plans, tracking actions, and maintaining standards
• Participating in root cause analysis and supporting the implementation of countermeasures
• Identifying abnormalities on the shopfloor and restoring basic conditions to improve line stability
• Assisting in the development and deployment of Standard Operating Procedures, One Point Lessons, and technical standards
• Supporting the execution of Kaizens and focused improvement initiatives led by Production Engineers
• Participating in daily and weekly performance review routines and driving closure of outstanding actions
• Working with operators and technicians to strengthen adherence to standards and build capability at line level
• Supporting the validation of implemented improvements to ensure gains are sustained
• Assisting in the rollout of visual management systems and 5S standards
• Upholding Safety, Quality, and Environmental standards at all times

What You Need to Apply

• A completed degree or National Diploma in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• A basic understanding of Manufacturing Excellence, Lean, TPM, or continuous improvement methodologies
• A strong problem-solving mindset and genuine willingness to work on the shopfloor
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office — Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• High initiative and a hands-on attitude

Important: This is a 100% on-site role based at the Boksburg Factory. Candidates must be able to commit to full-time, on-site attendance for the duration of the 12-month internship. Applicants must also be able to work lawfully in South Africa; foreign nationals may be required to submit supporting documentation.

Unilever is committed to employment equity, inclusion, and diversity. Applications are encouraged from candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, and religion. South African Employment Equity and B-BBEE legislation will be applied in the selection process.

Apply here: ManEx Intern – Unilever Boksburg