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Continuous Improvement Co-Op (Fall 2025 Start)

Coopersville, Michigan, United States

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With nearly $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

about our co-op program:

The fairlife Co-Op Program is designed to welcome undergraduate juniors or seniors at our Coopersville, MI production site to gain meaningful experience and professional development opportunities. For 5-7 months, Co-Ops will work full time with a production, packaging, continuous improvement, or other critical team within the plant. fairlife’s paid Co-Op program also offers social, professional, and community engagement events including exposure to our senior leadership and executives across the business in small group settings, insight into company initiatives, off-site field trips, and for those qualified and selected, an opportunity to pursue a full-time job opportunity.

The fairlife 2025 Co-Op Program will start in Fall 2025 based at our Coopersville, MI production facility. Length of program will depend on project/team needs and student availability.

job purpose: The Continuous Improvement Co-Op participant will be focused helping assess, monitor, and enhance business performance. A successful CI Specialist will analyze current practices and develop business process improvements as well as implement changes in workflows, structures, and/or teams to ensure continuous company performance. 

skills/qualifications required:

  • Must be currently enrolled in a four-year undergraduate degree program
  • Student must have completed a previous internship or Co-Op in a manufacturing environment previously to be considered
  • Student entering the following fall semester as senior preferred
  • Preferred focus on Engineering, Industrial Design, or relevant degree
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0, or higher
  • Ability to spend majority of day on production floor 
  • Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment.

learning objectives:

  • Learn to identify and investigate process losses, shortfalls, issues, and complaints in current business processes to eliminate future losses 
  • Understand the process capability & control to improve safety, product quality, material utilization, and OEE 
  • Collaborate with plant leadership and operators to develop new standards 
  • Learn and develop the capability of process failure technical troubleshooting   
  • Provide feedback to design and lead smart standardization deployment 
  • Learn and improve systems to collect and analyze data for critical product and process parameters 
  • Participate in the daily meeting process by reporting results, flagging issues, and requesting resources 
  • Take ownership of change initiatives by standardizing work and equipment processes via internal governance and controls 
  • Lead and develop programs that educate teammates about concepts leading to the identification, development, and implementation of improvements 
  • Identify ongoing improvement training needs, develop training materials and implement as required 

working conditions and physical requirements:

  • 8-12 hours sitting/standing/walking
  • Ability to lift up to 45 lbs.
  • Reaching/bending may be necessary in this role
  • Exposure to hazards (machinery, confined spaces, etc.)

food safety requirements:

  • Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety.
  • Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas.
  • Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.
  • Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.
  • Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system.
  • Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected.
  • In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required.

co-op location: Coopersville, MI

schedule: On-Site Monday-Friday, set schedule (40 hours per week)

travel: 0-10%

reports to: CI Manager

 

*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Base pay range:

$26 - $30 USD

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email careers@fairlife.com.

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