Key Skills

Job Description

Gate Gourmet is a leading global provider of a full range of catering services for primarily the airline industry. The focus is on culinary and operational excellence – and consistently providing the highest quality products and services tailored to strengthen the brand of our customers. Working with our customers and business partners, we create innovative offerings that delight the senses and make for a memorable dining experience, in the air and on the ground. We are looking for a motivated and hands-on Continuous Improvement (CI) Intern with an interest in Lean Manufacturing and operational excellence. In this role, you will support improvement initiatives focused on Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost while working closely with experienced CI specialists and Lean Black Belt experts. This internship offers valuable hands-on experience in process optimization, Lean methodologies, and problem solving within a dynamic and fast-paced industrial environment. Main Responsibilities Students will also have the opportunity to combine this internship with a thesis assignment linked to real business challenges and operational improvement projects. Possible focus areas include. Master Production Planning Outbound and internal logistics Cost reduction business cases Defect reduction initiatives Improving production processes and workflows By working on these topics, students will gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing directly to operational performance and continuous improvement initiatives within the organization. This combination of practical involvement and analytical research provides an excellent opportunity to apply academic knowledge in a dynamic industrial environment. Profile Second, third or final-year HBO student in Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations, Logistics, or a related technical field Strong analytical skills with a problem-solving mindset and attention to detail Genuine interest in Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and Continuous Improvement methodologies Proactive, hands-on, and eager to learn within a fast-paced operational environment Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate across different departments Able to work independently, take initiative, and contribute to improvement projects from analysis through implementation What We Offer A monthly internship allowance ranging from €549 to €749 Hands-on experience in Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing, and Operational Excellence within a dynamic operational environment Coaching and guidance from experienced Lean and CI professionals, including exposure to best practices and improvement methodologies The opportunity to work on projects that create real business impact and contribute directly to operational performance improvements A dynamic, international, and multicultural working environment with close collaboration across different teams and departments Valuable practical experience that supports both personal and professional development The possibility to travel within Europe as part of operational or improvement-related projects Requirements The possibility to apply for a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) and a Certificate of No Objection (VGB) (mandatory requirement) Willingness to undergo screening by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (for this, it is important that you have lived consecutive in the Netherlands for the past eight years)

Core Responsibilities

Support improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost, working with Continuous Improvement specialists and Lean experts. Contribute to operational improvement projects such as production planning, logistics, cost reduction, defect reduction, and production workflow improvements, potentially alongside a thesis assignment.

Requirements

Applicants should be second-, third-, or final-year HBO students in Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations, Logistics, or a related technical field, with analytical problem-solving skills and an interest in Lean and continuous improvement. They should be proactive, hands-on, communicative, collaborative, and able to work independently; eligibility for required screening also requires having lived continuously in the Netherlands for the past eight years.

Benefits

• Hands-on experience in Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing
• Coaching and guidance from experienced professionals
• Opportunity to contribute to projects with real business impact
• International and multicultural work environment
• Practical experience supporting personal and professional development
• Possibility of travel within Europe