Operational Excellence Intern - Summer 2027

Avient is seeking a summer MBA intern to join the Operational Excellence team, which provides global solutions and services to enable Avient and its customers to reach world-class performance. The internship offers engagement in projects within operations management, sourcing, logistics, or manufacturing, along with exposure to Avient Lean Six Sigma training.

About the role

Improvement activities may include distribution, supply planning, strategic sourcing, customer management, demand management, master scheduling & planning, inventory management, research & development, and network optimization. During the internship, students will establish relationships with peers and leaders, learn fundamentals, and receive coaching and performance feedback from Avient leadership. A successfully completed internship could lead to an opportunity to join the Operational Excellence Leadership Development Program after graduation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and/or participate in cross-functional project teams – typically within operations and supply chain.
• Make recommendations to management based on business case and analysis.
• Assist in the creation of world-class internal processes in areas such as strategic supplier management, contract management, operations, and operations planning.
• Interface with the Operational Excellence department and a wide variety of functional areas within the business units to ensure improvements are implemented and sustained.
• Identify and develop key operational excellence metrics and measures to facilitate performance improvements.
• Interact with senior management, build internal networks and relationships with employees both in Operational Excellence and across the globe, and contribute to Avient’s future success.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing an MBA.
• Operations or Supply Chain Management focus and three years of work experience preferred.

Skills

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to acquire, assimilate, and analyze data from multiple systems and data sources using a variety of business intelligence and reporting tools.
• Strong communication and presentation skills adaptable for engaging with multiple levels across the organization.
• Ability to operate and take initiative in an environment of ambiguity; holds themselves and team members accountable for a high level of performance.
• Project management and data analysis experience.
• Experience with facilitation, change management, best practice translation, and process improvement is ideal.

About Us

Avient Corporation is an innovator of materials solutions that help customers succeed while enabling a sustainable world. Our team of 9,000 professionals worldwide drives innovation through passion, creativity, and diverse expertise. Whether in finance, technology, operations, HR, or materials development, you’ll find your place at Avient. We believe all employees are leaders, and the six key behaviors—playing to win, acting customer-centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly, and motivating and developing others—accelerate strategic goals and career growth.