Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement Intern

About the role

An established Australian manufacturer of thermoformed plastic packaging for the food, retail and medical industries is looking for a Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement intern. The internship is based on site in a manufacturing environment in Moorabbin, Victoria, lasts 3 months and runs 2 days per week. It covers quality management systems, manufacturing processes, compliance documentation, internal audits and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain, review and update quality management systems and food safety systems, including FSSC 22000 where applicable
• Support quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations
• Help maintain HACCP plans, monitoring records, verification activities and other food safety documentation
• Keep production records, quality documentation and procedures accurate and up to date
• Document quality issues, process deviations and improvement opportunities
• Assist with internal audits, GMP audits and workplace quality inspections, and document findings, corrective actions and follow-up
• Review procedures and recommend practical improvements
• Prepare, review and maintain SOPs, work instructions, checklists and quality records
• Coordinate quality system documentation and help prepare training materials on quality, hygiene, GMP and workplace procedures
• Communicate quality requirements with production personnel, management and other teams

Required profile

• Currently studying or recently graduated in Food Science, Food Technology, Quality Assurance, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Science or a related discipline
• Interest in manufacturing operations, product quality, quality management systems and continuous improvement
• Strong attention to detail, good analytical, problem-solving and documentation skills, and effective written and verbal communication
• Willingness to learn about manufacturing processes, quality standards and compliance requirements

Required skills

• Desirable: familiarity with HACCP, GMP, FSSC 22000, ISO quality management systems or internal auditing
• Desirable: knowledge of root cause analysis, CAPA, Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies
• Desirable: experience preparing SOPs, technical documentation, audit reports or quality records

Applicants should submit a CV outlining their academic background, relevant skills, availability and interest in quality assurance and manufacturing, highlighting any university projects, laboratory work, manufacturing experience or quality-related coursework.