Production Planning Intern

Job Overview

At Komatsu, we create value through manufacturing and technology innovation to empower a sustainable future where people, businesses, and our planet thrive together. As an intern at Komatsu, you will have the opportunity to apply your education in a real-world setting; participate in significant, value-adding projects alongside an experienced mentor, and support your team members in achieving department goals that impact our business and beyond.

How you will help us create value together:

As a Production Planning Intern, you will be responsible for a range of support activities for the Operations Capacity Planning Department. This team provides factory support by maintaining production orders and material flow for all production parts in accordance with safety, quality, delivery, and cost requirements. Value added focus is required to ensure continuous improvement of SLQDC to achieve delivery to Komatsu customers ON-TIME. 

This position will be based onsite at our South Harbor location in Milwaukee’s Harbor District! The target start date for this role is Summer 2025 (ideal candidate would be able to start over winter break and work part-time over semester) and has potential to be extended into the 2025 school semester. We offer full-time hours during the summer and flexible part-time hours during the academic year.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Analyze Production Orders. Review new & existing orders, current capacity available, current raw material availability, and employee schedules to achieve ON-TIME customer delivery.
• Monitor work centers workloads. Move load to available labor & facilities, recommend capacity changes and OT to maximize output. Review future load on work centers to adjust lot sizes, maintain forecasts, and recommend sub-contracting as necessary.
• Maintain dispatch lists to establish priorities & work queue.
• Participate in safety walks to improve employee safety and reduce hazards.
• Support Customer Service: Provide estimated dates of completion in a timely manner to internal and external customers.
• Interpret drawings, routings, and procedure documents to ensure compliance with product requirements.
• Cross functional projects to be determined at the start of the summer in conjunction with other operational support departments. (Manufacturing Engineering, Logistics, Purchasing, Quality, etc.)

Basic Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s or advanced degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering (Or other data focused majors), or similar, from an accredited college or university
• Sophomore, Junior, Senior, or master’s level student in good academic standing
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team towards a goal
• Excellent organization and personal time management skills, ability to handle multiple tasks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Possess effective problem solving and critical thinking skills; ability to be creative and resourceful when needed
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite products (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Preferred Qualifications

• Background or course work in Data analysis economics, or mathematics.
• Excellent PC software skills with Windows Operating system. SAP ERP System.
• Exposure to, experience in, or understanding of MRP (Material Requirement Planning) and ERP (Enterprise Requirements Planning) and the ability to maintain data to accomplish company production strategies/goals. Preferably in SAP but any ERP system is beneficial.
• Understanding of the concepts around or experience in Bills of Materials, Routings, Blueprint Reading, Purchasing, Inventory Control and Order Processing functions.
• Interest in or aptitude to learn about careers in the heavy equipment industry.

Additional Information

What makes Komatsu’s intern program unique?

The Milwaukee Internship Program is rooted in community, collaboration, and innovation. Intern program perks include:

• Several Intern-inclusive networking opportunities such as:
  • Meet & greets with executive leadership
  • Volunteer Week
  • Appreciation Events
  • End-of-Summer Capstone presentations
  • Company-sponsored travel opportunities
• Access to amenities at Milwaukee HQ’s including a coffee shop, cafeteria serving breakfast and lunch, and free onsite fitness center
• Potential to come back or join us as full-time employees
• Real-world project work alongside local, regional, and global team members
• Mentorship from experienced subject-matter experts in your field

We’re excited that you’re interested in an internship with Komatsu, and we look forward to reviewing your application! While you wait for future communication from our team, we encourage you to learn more about our business by visiting www.komatsu.com.