Intern, Lean Manufacturing Operations

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James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, Timber Tech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and Stru Xure®.
With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.
For more information, visit  .

As a James Hardie intern, you will gain hands‑on experience in your chosen field while contributing to meaningful projects that drive business results. Our 12‑week paid internship program is designed to provide real‑world industry exposure, strengthen your professional and technical skills, and help prepare you for a successful career. Throughout the program, you will collaborate with experienced professionals, build valuable relationships across the organization, and take on work that makes a measurable impact.

You will also have access to mentoring opportunities and professional development resources to support your growth and career aspirations.

Internship Objective

Gain practical experience in Lean manufacturing, problem solving, employee engagement, and continuous improvement. Support the continued development and deployment of HMOS across the manufacturing site.

Complete and present an HMOS improvement project that identifies an opportunity, implements improvements, and demonstrates measurable results.

• Support HMOS daily management systems, standards, KPI tracking, and action item follow‑up to drive operational excellence.
• Participate in Gemba walks, Lean workshops, and continuous improvement activities to identify and implement process improvements.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, improvement opportunities, and performance gaps.
• Assist with the development and standardization of processes, work instructions, and Lean best practices.
• Collaborate with operators, supervisors, leaders, and cross‑functional teams to support site initiatives and improvement projects.
• Ensuring timely completion and measurable results for assigned continuous improvement projects.
• Present project outcomes, recommendations, and key learnings to site leadership and stakeholders.

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in a relevant discipline at an accredited university, with an anticipated graduation date between December 2027 and May 2029 (rising junior or rising senior).
• Strong academic performance with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Available to work full‑time for 12 weeks during summer 2027.
• Reliable transportation to and from the work location.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred Skills

• Target majors:
  Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, and Industrial/Manufacturing Technology, Business Management / Business Administration with a focus on Lean, Continuous Improvement, or Operations.
• Strong communication and organization skills
• Analytical mindset, interest in Lean/continuous improvement
• Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills.

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $20 to $25 per hour. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and may change over time.

• Full‑time…