Kennedy Valve-Production Process Intern

Kennedy Valve, a member of the McWane family of companies, is a gray and ductile iron foundry and computerized machining and assembly company. We have been an active community partner in Elmira, New York, for over 125 years.

People providing peace of mind water solutions.

To save lives, resources, and property by supplying the best waterworks and fire protection products in the world.

Our culture is important to us and forms the foundation for everything we do. Successful Team Members will embrace and perform in accordance with our following core values:

Safety: People First – Step Up

** Environment**: Protect Our Communities – Keep It Clean

** Leadership**: I am Always On Stage – First Manage My Own Words & Behaviors

** Accountability**: Lead Myself Well – Own It, Correct It, Learn From It, Move On

** Excellence**: Always Working To Be Better – Value & Add Value

** Trust**: The Speed Of Trust – Build, Don’t Break

** Teamwork**: Help Each Other Be Great – Win Together

** Communication**: Clear, Candid, & Constructive – Right Words, Right Time, Right Way

** WHY KENNEDY VALVE?**

Kennedy Valve offers great wages and robust benefits packages, as well as stability and a sense of team!

• Highly Competitive Salary- $20 Hourly for Interns
• Two weeks’ vacation, prorated for the first year of employment.
• 12 Paid Holidays and Paid Sick Leave
• Retirement: 401(k) & Roth IRA – 100% match on first 2% of employee contribution, 50% match on next 2%
• Educational Reimbursement after one year of service
• Employer-paid life insurance with the option to supplement
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental plan options

SUMMARY

Kennedy Valve is currently seeking a professional, self-motivated individual to fill the role of Production Intern. This position reports directly to the Finishing Manager and works closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Production Leadership, and Value Stream teams across CNC machining and assembly operations.

The primary focus of this role is supporting production run time accuracy through hands-on cycle time studies, process observation, and manufacturing data collection. The intern will perform detailed process reviews across machining and assembly operations to help validate standards, identify variation, and support continuous improvement initiatives tied to labor routing accuracy, capacity planning, and operational efficiency.

This role requires strong attention to detail, professionalism on the production floor, and the ability to communicate effectively with operators, supervisors, planners, and engineering personnel. Success in this position is measured by the quality, accuracy, and consistency of production data collected and the intern’s ability to support data-driven manufacturing improvements.

JOB DUTIES
• Promote a people-first environment where the expectation is to keep each other safe.
• Perform cycle time studies across CNC machining and assembly operations using established time study methods and data collection standards.
• Observe and document manufacturing processes, operator sequences, machine utilization, setup activities, downtime, and workflow interruptions.
• Work directly with Manufacturing Engineering to collect and validate production run time data used to support labor standards, routings, costing, and capacity planning.
• Support process reviews and operational assessments to identify inefficiencies, variation, bottlenecks, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Collect, organize, and maintain production data using Excel and other company systems.
• Assist in validating standard work instructions and ensuring process documentation reflects actual production conditions.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
• High school graduates planning to attend college or students currently enrolled in a degree program related to Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or other applicable technical programs.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel.
• Interest in manufacturing operations, production systems, process improvement, and industrial engineering concepts preferred.

REQUIRED TRAITS

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to accurately collect, organize, and analyze production data.
• Strong observational and analytical skills with the ability to recognize process variation and inefficiencies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments and organizational levels.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Professional presence and willingness to spend significant time on the production floor interacting with operators and supervisors.
• Technical curiosity and willingness to learn manufacturing processes, machining operations, and assembly workflows.
• Consistent, reliable, and organized approach to assigned tasks and projects.

Verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, professionalism, and the ability to adapt within a dynamic manufacturing environment are critical to success in this role. Kennedy Valve places significant value on positive, engaged team members who are customer focused, approachable, collaborative, and committed to continuous improvement.

• Are you a self-starter with the technical curiosity to learn manufacturing processes and operational systems?
• Do you enjoy working with data, observing processes, and identifying opportunities for improvement?
• Does your flexibility, professionalism, and dedication support a positive can-do attitude in a team-oriented environment?

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Standing for long periods of time, walking throughout the facility, ability to lift 50lbs as required.

** Work Environment**

• Exposed to elements, such as cold, heat, noise, dust, odors, fumes, etc.
• Work time is spent on the manufacturing floor and in a managerial office.

Kennedy Valve Co. is an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and reserve the right to perform substance abuse testing. McWane is a Federal VEVRAA contractor, and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices. McWane will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation , veteran or service member status, marital status, citizenship status (In IL - sex, including same sex, ancestry, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, military status, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge status, genetic information), (In IA - gender identity), (In CA - gender identity or expression, and genetic information) or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
McWane is a Federal VEVRAA contractor, and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices. McWane will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or service member status, marital status, citizenship status (In IL - sex, including same sex, ancestry, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, military status, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge status, genetic information), (In IA - gender identity), (In CA- gender identity or expression, and genetic information) or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.