Operations Intern

KSB is a leading supplier of pumps, valves and related service. Our reliable, high-efficiency products are used in applications wherever fluids need to be transported or shut off, covering everything from building services,industry and water transport to waste water treatment, power plant processes and mining. Founded in 1871 in Frankenthal, Germany, the company has a presence on all continents with its own sales and marketing organisations and manufacturing facilities. Around the globe, more than 190 service centres and around 3,500 service specialists are on hand to provide local inspection, servicing, maintenance and repair services under the KSB SupremeServ brand. Innovative technology that is the fruit of KSB’s research and development activities forms the basis for the company’s success.

People. Passion. Performance. It is these three success factors that make KSB the company it is today.

At KSB, we recognise that it is people who actually make the difference – the people we employ and the people we serve. This is why we are committed to equal rights and treatment worldwide and never lose sight of the aspects ecology and sustainability when manufacturing our products.

Position Title:

Operations Intern

Reports To:

Joshua Pruett, Supply Chain Operations Manager

Position Summary:

The Operations Intern is an entry-level, academic credit-based role within KSB's Supply Chain Operations department. The position is designed to develop a well-rounded operational thinker through immersive, hands-on exposure to continuous improvement methodologies, enterprise systems, and cross-functional process work. The intern will learn and apply structured problem-solving frameworks — rooted in Lean Six Sigma principles — under the direct guidance of experienced practitioners and Black Belts. This is a learning-first role: the intern is expected to observe, absorb, and begin contributing to process improvement initiatives, system builds, and data-driven root cause analyses across the full scope of KSB's operations. The position interfaces with all functional areas within Operations and collaborates with leadership through the Supply Chain Operations Manager and the Decision Analytics function.

Tasks / Responsibilities:

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Learn and apply the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology to real operational problems under Black Belt supervision.
• Participate in Kaizen events, root cause analysis exercises, and process improvement workshops across all departments.
• Shadow experienced practitioners to understand how to identify waste, variation, and inefficiency within business processes.
• Assist in documenting current-state process maps and contributing to future-state design.
• Support the development of control plans, standard work documentation, and process metrics.
• Progress toward independently leading small-scope root cause analyses and corrective action plans as competency is demonstrated.

Systems & Data

• Learn and operate across KSB's enterprise technology stack, including Infor ERP, Smartsheet, Tableau, SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), ServiceNow, and other operational platforms.
• Assist in the build-out of operational models, tracking systems, and dashboards under clear directional guidance from the Decision Analytics function.
• Support data collection, validation, and analysis activities in support of active improvement projects and operational reporting.
• Develop foundational fluency in data-driven decision-making, including how to translate raw operational data into actionable insights.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Develop skills in cross-functional communication by working directly with Operations personnel across departments to understand current pain points and process friction.
• Practice active listening and structured problem framing — helping to ensure that stakeholders feel heard before solutions are proposed.
• Contribute to the preparation of presentations, project updates, and operational summaries for internal audiences.
• Support leadership-facing reporting through the Supply Chain Operations Manager and Decision Analytics channels.

General Operations Support

• Assist with the maintenance of process documentation, SOPs, and work instruction libraries in accordance with KSB quality standards.
• Participate in departmental meetings, Daily Management Board (DMB) activities, and operational reviews.
• Support the Supply Chain Operations team with administrative and analytical tasks as assigned.
• Perform other duties as specifically assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Continuous Improvement Mindset — demonstrates an eagerness to learn structured problem-solving methodologies (DMAIC, root cause analysis, process mapping) and apply them to real business problems.
• Analytical Thinking — applies logic and reasoning to understand problems; capable of breaking down complex situations into manageable components.
• Systems Aptitude — demonstrates comfort learning new software platforms and enterprise tools; willingness to develop working proficiency across multiple operational systems.
• Communication — able to communicate clearly with colleagues at all levels; listens actively and asks clarifying questions before drawing conclusions.
• Effective Project Support — demonstrates the ability to meet deadlines, follow direction, and contribute meaningfully to multi-step projects.
• Intellectual Curiosity — proactively seeks to understand 'why' processes exist the way they do; asks good questions and pursues understanding independently.
• Attention to Detail — produces accurate work; understands the importance of data integrity and precise documentation in an operations environment.
• Time Management — effectively prioritizes assigned tasks; manages time independently across concurrent work streams.
• Active Learning — comprehends new information quickly and applies it proactively; does not wait to be told the same thing twice.
• Quality & Productivity — produces work at a consistent pace with accuracy; takes ownership when mistakes occur.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Willingness to learn and effectively utilize ERP and operational software systems.

EOE/M/F/D/V          Drug Free Environment

KSB Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. KSB makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time. 

We value employees who take the initiative and are committed to our company; Employees who take responsibility and for whom business success is the focus of their actions. In return, we offer fair framework conditions for collective wages and pensions, flexible working time models, individual training opportunities and the best career prospects.