Search jobs > Fort Smith, AR > Internship > Leadership development

2025 Nestlé USA Manufacturing Leadership Development Program

Nestlé USA
Fort Smith, AR
Full-time

Foods people love. Brands people trust. And a career that nourishes your future like no other.

If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, Nestlé is the place for you. Nestlé USA is one of seven operating companies that make up Nestlé’s presence in the United States.

We're in 97% of American homes, and as the leading food and beverage company, our goals are to continue to deliver quality food and beverage products, strengthen our local communities, and reduce our environmental and climate impact.

We’re determined to challenge the status quo and be better tomorrow than we are today. As individuals and teams, we embrace our entrepreneurial culture and have created a workplace where collaboration is essential, courage is rewarded, speed is expected, and agility is the norm to delight our consumers every single day.

Here, you will find limitless opportunities to learn and advance your career and feel empowered to succeed in the workplace and beyond.

Because our focus is not only on nourishing our customers, but also about enriching you.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

You know us as the food and beverage company behind a lot of your favorites like Stouffer’s, Nesquik, Toll House, and Lean Cuisine, as well as new discoveries like Sweet Earth.

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, courage is rewarded, speed is encouraged, and agility is the norm to delight our consumers every single day!

Here at Nestlé USA, you are empowered to become a student of the business and deliver the best to our consumers. We’re inviting forward-thinking and courageous future leaders to embrace an entrepreneurial approach and start their journey of growth!

If you're a current undergraduate student eager to make an impact on an enormous scale, take strides into greatness by joining Nestlé USA.

What to expect from the 2025 Nestlé Manufacturing Leadership Development Program (MLDP) :

Are you ready to kickstart your career with a leading global company? Nestlé USA's Manufacturing Leadership Development Program (MLDP) offers an exciting one-year rotational opportunity for ambitious individuals seeking real-world experience and a fast track to leadership in Manufacturing.

Join us on a journey of personal and professional growth that will set you on the path to success!

During the first six months of the program, you'll build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills through immersive experiences and cross-functional collaboration.

With the full support of executive leadership, MLDPs interact with various factory functions including, Engineering and Maintenance, Finance, Human Resources, Industrial Performance, Production, Safety, Health & Environmental, Supply Chain, and Quality Assurance.

This hands-on approach will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how each area contributes to the success of our factories.

At the conclusion of the first six months of the program, MLDPs choose a career path in either Production, Maintenance, or Warehouse Leadership.

This focused training will prepare you for a supervisory role in your chosen area. You'll develop essential leadership skills through mentorship, scenario-based learning, and immersion in Nestlé's proven leadership practices.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be placed in a Production, Maintenance, or Warehouse Supervisor position within one of our Nestlé USA factories.

This two-year assignment will allow you to apply your knowledge and make a significant impact as a future leader in our organization in one of our Nestlé USA factories.

As a future leader of our business, you will be on the fast track to a leadership position within one of our factories. Your primary responsibilities will include :

  • Learning a variety of leadership concepts, practices, and procedures to rely on your experience and judgment in planning and accomplishing goals
  • Supervising and coordinating the execution of production schedules
  • Ensuring the smooth flow of materials, parts, and resources necessary for production
  • Planning methods to improve efficiency in production and being assigned production improvement tasks
  • Developing detailed project scopes that account for operational impact
  • Mastering plant process flows, utility flows, capacities, procedures, and practices

Locations :

Willing to relocate to one or more of our MLDP Center of Excellence factory locations across Nestlé USA for the duration of the program.

You'll not only gain valuable professional skills but also have the chance to explore different regions, meet new people, and create unforgettable memories during your time in the MLDP in one of these locations : Ft.

Smith, AR Mt. Sterling, KY Anderson, IN Springville, UT

To be eligible for this program, we require the following qualifications :

Education :

  • Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, Safety Management, Food Science, Industrial Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
  • Completion of the required degree by June 2025.
  • Preferred GPA of 3.0 and above.

Experience :

  • Prior internship or co-op experience; manufacturing experience; student organization and / or other leadership experience is preferred.
  • Previous problem-solving experience with tangible results.

Additional Requirements :

  • Available to start the program in June 2025
  • Ability to relocate to any Nestlé USA factory after completing the program
  • Ability to work and thrive in a team environment
  • Demonstrate outstanding learning capabilities
  • Ability to deliver results on challenging assignments
  • Able to demonstrate strong communication skills, influence others, leadership capabilities and strong analytical skills
  • Adaptability and resilience in the face of ambiguity.
  • Interested in working on various business projects requiring research, cost analyses, and engagement of stakeholders
  • Demonstrated experience to take bold actions and challenge the status quo.
  • Being comfortable with the idea of failing forward
  • Able to connect the dots from multiple inputs leveraging an end-to-end mindset
  • Comfortable leading people in various capacities within a factory setting
  • Willing to work any shift, including second or third shift as required throughout the program. Please note that our facilities may have ambient conditions that can be cold, wet, or warm.

Perks :

At Nestlé, we value our employees and offer a range of benefits to support their well-being and professional growth, including :

  • Relocation package (for eligible candidates)
  • Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, mental wellness programs, and financial health benefits
  • MLDPs may be eligible for a retention bonus based on successful completion of the program into a supervisory position in one of our Nestlé USA factories
  • Immersion into a dynamic and inclusive work culture, surrounded by colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
  • Mentorship and professional coaching from experienced leaders
  • As an influential industry leader in consumer-packaged goods, Nestlé offers you the chance to make a difference in the community through engaging in community service events through Nestlé Cares Share Valued Organizations

We encourage you to seize this cutting-edge opportunity and embark on a rewarding career journey with Nestlé USA.

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé.

The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role.

In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities.

Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

30+ days ago
Related jobs
Nestlé USA
Fort Smith, Arkansas

Are you ready to kickstart your career with a leading global company? Nestlé USA's Manufacturing Leadership Development Program (MLDP) offers an exciting one-year rotational opportunity for ambitious individuals seeking real-world experience and a fast track to leadership in Manufacturing. What to e...

International Paper
Fort Smith, Arkansas

Manufacturing Management Associate – Leadership Development Program. Actively participate in leadership development opportunities as presented. We currently have opportunities at several locations out of our 160+ manufacturing plants across the United States. We are looking for motivated individuals...

The Sherwin-Williams Company
Fort Smith, Arkansas

Sherwin-Williams is seeking motivated individuals with an interest in sales, customer service, leading a successful team to join our Leadership Development Program (“LDP”). Must have at least a bachelor's degree by the start of this development program. Willingness to relocate, as required, upon com...

Promoted
IEA Management Services
Fort Smith, Arkansas

Project Managers lead the project team through all phases of the project from acquisition through pre-construction, execution, and close-out. Project Stakeholder Management : identify all people or organizations impacted by the project, analyzing stakeholder expectations and impact on the project, a...

Promoted
Cherry Hill Programs Inc
Fort Smith, Arkansas

Cherry Hill Programs brings the magic to every experience by capturing moments that last a lifetime. In partnership with retail locations, tourist attractions, and destinations across North America, Cherry Hill Programs contributes millions of holiday and souvenir experiences for children and famili...

Promoted
ArcBest II: Panther
Fort Smith, Arkansas

The Business Intelligence Analyst - People Analytics ensures that the data is accurate and presented in a clear, concise, and business-relevant manner to key stakeholders. As a Business Intelligence Analyst - People Analytics, you will be a member of the ArcBest Business Intelligence team in. Busine...

Datavant
Arkansas

As a Health Information Operations Manager, you will be at the forefront of this transformation, reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations. Healthcare Operations Expertise: At least 3 years of proven experience in healthcare operations management, with a focus on data-driven decision-ma...

Georgia-Pacific
Fort Smith, Arkansas

Implement learning for a variety of roles and employee lifecycle phases using adult learning principles and models, particularly the approach to accelerated development as well as emerging technologies for learning transfer and retention. Post-high school education, such as an advanced degree or cer...

Garver
Fort Smith, Arkansas

Keep accurate and up-to-date project accounting on all assigned projects. Reporting will include project design status, upcoming milestones, project accounting, percent completes, progress reports, etc. The successful candidate will be responsible for the hands-on management of exciting water and wa...

Mars
Fort Smith, Arkansas

Engineering Project Manager - Digital. Engineering Project Manager - Digital will spearhead initiatives that will influence the future of Mars Pet Nutrition. Engineering Project Manager - Digital will collaborate closely with local, regional, and global Controls & Factory IT, Mars Global Services (M...