Operations Manager Intern (Starting Summer 2027) Food Distribution Center, Windor, CT

Pay is based on several factors including labor markets, education, work experience, and certifications.

Pay

The pay range per hour is $28.50–$29.50. You may also earn additional compensation in the form of a shift differential, ranging from $2.00 to $3.50 per hour, based on eligibility.

Benefits

Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee discount
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Paid sick leave
• Paid national holidays
• Paid vacation

About the role

Experience firsthand what it’s like to lead a team within a Target Supply Chain Facility. This internship is a paid 40-hour-per-week, hands-on training program designed to develop and prepare you for operations leadership. As an Operations Intern, you’ll gain a realistic job preview into life as an Operations Manager over a defined period.

You will work closely with managers and team members to understand how Target’s supply chain business operates and what it takes to excel in a management role. You’ll lead and support daily operations by working alongside your team, learning to lead, motivate, and influence them, including the opportunity to lead a department.

This program is designed to teach individuals how to lead within a supply chain facility. You will work closely with a mentor to dive deeper into effective leadership while gaining exposure to different business areas and functions. You’ll learn problem-solving, team leadership, real-time observations, and driving results while prioritizing safety and productivity.

During your internship, you will have the opportunity to lead your mentor’s work center with guidance. Your development will be a priority, including ongoing conversations with your mentor and manager. Extensive training will support your growth as an operations intern.

Responsibilities

• Spend time on the facility floor helping to lead team members and align them with daily business priorities.
• Work alongside team members to lead through daily priorities.
• Maintain high standards of quality and inventory accuracy through process standardization and employee accountability.
• Track KPIs such as safety, teamwork, quality, and productivity to identify gaps and drive actions for consistent performance.
• Carry out process improvement initiatives using methodologies like Gemba, Fish Bone Analysis, and 5 Whys to create a lean, defect-free operation.
• Administer communication between IT and operations teams to address system issues and conduct testing in the WMS.
• Recruit and mentor team members to foster a continuous improvement mindset and guide them toward leadership roles.
• Address team member concerns and remove operational hurdles to ensure smooth operations and goal attainment.
• Lead daily meetings for the operational team to share company and site-specific information.
• Lead or present at daily planning meetings with peers and leadership.
• Plan daily goals and organize shift plans to achieve targets at the start of each shift.
• Provide a summary of results, share hurdles, successes, and key learnings at the end of each shift.
• Conduct audits around standard adherence for safety, quality, and productivity; share feedback and coach team members.
• Conduct safety walks to identify, resolve, and report findings.
• Follow up on team member attendance and provide necessary coaching.
• Partner with leaders regarding team member performance by teaching, coaching, training, and delivering timely feedback.
• Provide new ideas and recommend solutions for business or team opportunities.
• Take initiative to learn how to be a Target leader by seeking growth opportunities and continuously learning.
• Commit to learning Target’s expectations of leaders and use them for personal development by asking questions and seeking feedback.
• Actively participate in internship program training activities, developmental opportunities, and events.
• Demonstrate a willingness to take risks and step out of your comfort zone.
• Demonstrate a culture of ethical conduct, safety, and compliance; hold others accountable to the same standards.
• Foster an inclusive, safe, and secure culture.
• Carry out principal duties and responsibilities through internship rotations as trained.
• Understand business reporting and guest insights to troubleshoot and follow up on opportunity areas.
• Gain an understanding of all business areas to develop business acumen.
• Work with building leaders daily to set goals and expectations.

What you’ll gain

• Experience in building and managing a team culture across the facility.
• Problem-solving and change management skills.
• Knowledge of retail business fundamentals.
• Experience setting and planning department(s) daily/weekly workload to support business priorities and managing a team to deliver goals.
• Experience managing a team of hourly team members and creating business strategies and goals.
• Knowledge of departments within the distribution center, including Inbound, Outbound, and Warehousing.

Requirements

• Participation in school or extracurricular activities and experience in leadership roles.
• Strong interest in working in retail, specifically within supply chain facilities.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Problem-solving skills and strong initiative.
• Team-oriented thinking with enthusiasm for continuous learning.
• Ability to access all levels and areas of the facility to respond to team member issues.
• Ability to understand instructions, reports, and information.
• Ability to climb up and down ladders.
• Ability to scan, handle, and move merchandise efficiently and safely, including frequently lifting or moving merchandise up to 15 pounds and occasionally moving merchandise up to 40 pounds.
• Flexible work schedule (e.g., nights, weekends, and holidays) and regular work attendance.