Smelter Potroom Intern

Job Description

Smelter Potroom Intern | Alcoa

The Tone:
This is an internship at Alcoa, located in Newburgh, IN. Alcoa is dedicated to transforming raw potential into real progress, shaping every Alcoan as a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper, and world-shaper. This role provides hands-on exposure to real industrial processes within a heavy manufacturing environment, specifically within the smelter potroom. The intern will support key operational excellence and improvement initiatives, contributing directly to enhancing standard work practices, reducing scrap, and optimizing equipment performance.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Standard Weekday
• Location: Newburgh, IN

• Team: Works closely with supervisors, operations teams, and continuous improvement personnel.
• Mission: Support operational excellence and improvement initiatives across the potroom to enhance standard work, reduce scrap, and optimize equipment performance.
• Tech Stack: Polka, MeVisio

What You’ll Actually Do
• Support Operations: Provide essential supervisor support by assisting with daily operational tasks, basic reporting, and coordinating workflow within the potroom.
• Implement Process Improvements: Support the development, documentation, and reinforcement of standard work practices to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Optimize Workspaces: Assist with 5S improvements in garage and line areas, focusing on organization, labeling, and implementing visual controls to enhance workplace efficiency and safety.
• Drive Data-Based Initiatives: Contribute to Level 1 Daily Management System (DMS) activities through data collection, updating performance boards, and tracking improvement progress; additionally, participate in scrap reduction initiatives by collecting data and supporting root-cause analysis.
• Advance Digital Systems: Support the integration of Polka/MeVisio, including updating digital visual management tools and helping to transition from existing manual systems; furthermore, assist with crusher optimization efforts, gathering data and performing basic problem-solving.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently enrolled in an academic program related to Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, Quality, or Lean Manufacturing.
• Experience: No specific prior work experience is required, but candidates must demonstrate an interest in gaining hands-on experience within real industrial operations and heavy manufacturing environments.
• Skills: Possess strong problem-solving and analytical abilities; capable of working safely in a heavy industrial setting; effective communication and teamwork skills; strong attention to detail in documentation, workplace organization, and data reporting; and a proactive initiative with curiosity to engage in hands-on operational tasks.
• Bonus: Exposure to Lean tools (such as 5S, standard work, visual management, and waste reduction) gained through coursework or prior experience; familiarity with basic data collection, problem-solving methodologies, or operational workflows.