Manufacturing Intern Scheduling & Operations Planning

SUMMARY: The Manufacturing Intern (Scheduling & Operations Planning) at Hercules Industries will play a key role in improving how production is planned scheduled and executed. This is a hands-on role focused on operational efficiency coordination and real-time decision-making not just observation. Interns will work closely with production purchasing and operations teams to help ensure that the right work is completed at the right time with the right materials. This role provides exposure to production scheduling demand planning and ERP systems while contributing to meaningful improvements in on-time delivery and workflow efficiency. M-F 7am-3:30pm $23.00/hour

Timing & Commitment:
This is a Summer 2026 internship running from mid-May through August (approximately 1012 weeks). The expected start date is flexible between May 15 and June 1 depending on academic schedules. Some flexibility in start and end dates may be accommodated.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Production Scheduling Support

Assist in developing and maintaining daily and weekly production schedules based on:

• Customer demand
• Production capacity
• Material availability
• Help prioritize jobs to align with business needs and operational constraints

Cross-Functional Coordination

Work with production purchasing and manufacturing teams to ensure alignment on:

• Job priorities
• Material readiness
• Capacity constraints
• Support communication between teams to minimize disruptions and delays

Schedule Execution & Monitoring

Track work order progress on the shop floor

Update schedules to reflect real-time production conditions

Help identify and escalate risks to schedule adherence

Data Analysis & Process Insight

Analyze production and scheduling data to identify:

• Bottlenecks
• Delays
• Inefficiencies in workflow
• Support development of recommendations to improve scheduling accuracy and flow

Inventory & Material Planning Support

Assist in tracking material availability and shortages

Coordinate with purchasing and production to ensure timely availability of materials

Support efforts to reduce stockouts and excess inventory

ERP Data Accuracy

Help maintain accurate data in ERP systems (e.g. job status lead times routing information)

Ensure data reflects current shop floor conditions and supports effective planning

Capacity Planning & Continuous Improvement

Participate in capacity planning exercises to balance workloads across:

• Machines
• Labor resources
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on:
• Scheduling efficiency
• On-time delivery performance
• Planning accuracy

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each of the below essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability preferred. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Currently pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering Supply Chain Operations Management Manufacturing Engineering or a related field
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Excel (data analysis basic formulas and organization)
• Interest in manufacturing operations planning and process improvement
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to production scheduling supply chain or operations planning (coursework or internship)
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g. M3 or similar)
• Experience analyzing data to identify trends or inefficiencies
• Understanding of basic manufacturing processes and constraints
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement concepts

What You Will Gain

Operational Experience

• Hands-on exposure to real-world production scheduling and planning
• Understanding of how manufacturing systems operate day-to-day

Planning & Coordination Skills

• Experience balancing demand capacity and material constraints
• Insight into cross-functional decision-making

Technical & Analytical Development

• Data analysis for operational improvement
• ERP system exposure and data management

Business Impact

• Opportunity to directly influence on-time delivery and production efficiency

What Success Looks Like

• Improved accuracy and reliability of production schedules
• Timely identification and resolution of scheduling risks
• Contributions to better material coordination and reduced delays
• Strong collaboration across operations and planning teams
• Demonstrated growth in understanding manufacturing systems and planning processes

Why Hercules

• Opportunity to make a material impactyour work will matter
• Work in a company that is actively transforming and investing in data and analytics
• Employee-owned (ESOP) aligning effort with long-term value creation
• Right-sized organization: large enough for complexity small enough for visibility and impact
• A culture that values curiosity problem-solving and continuous improvement

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to effectively communicate with customers and staff to make an accurate assessment of customer needs.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations required to accurately complete assigned tasks.

COMPUTER SKILLS: Intermediate computer skills including Microsoft Office.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral or written form. Ability to use sound judgment and problem-solving skills.

ATTENDANCE DEMANDS: The attendance demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Attendance is required Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. or within normal business hours as established by the supervisor. Employee may be required to work overtime and occasional Saturdays and Sundays.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit; walk and stand; use hands handle or feel; and required to speak read and hear English. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; and stoop kneel crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be loud on occasion.
• This position may on occasion be exposed to extreme weather conditions that may affect a warehouse environment.
• This is a fast-paced environment.

DISCLAIMER: The preceding job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Hercules Industries is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race religion color national origin sex sexual orientation gender identity age status as a protected veteran status as a qualified individual with disability or other legally protected status.

Required Experience:

Intern