Internship

Operations Management Trainee

Posted on 11/20/2025

Fairlife

Fairlife

201-500 employees

Lactose-free dairy and protein drinks

Compensation Overview

$33.65 - $37.50/hr

No H1B Sponsorship

Allendale Charter Twp, MI, USA + 2 more

More locations: Webster, NY, USA | Avondale, AZ, USA

In Person

Relocation required for rotational program and post-program.

Category
Operations & Logistics (1)
Requirements
  • Engineering or relevant bachelor’s degree completed no later than June 2026
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0, or higher
  • Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment
  • Required previous experience as an Engineering intern/co-op or relevant role based in a manufacturing setting OR experience working in a manufacturing environment
  • Must be willing to relocate for rotational program and post-program
  • Passion for manufacturing, flexibility and mobility, critical thinking, and leadership capabilities
  • Fluent in English, both written and verbal
  • Ability to read and write in English
  • Up to 12 hours sitting/standing/walking
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Exposure to hazards machinery, confined spaces, etc.
  • 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.
  • Position location: Coopersville, MI; Goodyear, AZ; Webster, NY
  • Schedule: On-site, with a full-time schedule
  • Duration: Two-year program, beginning July 2026, running through June 2028
  • Sponsorship: This role will not be considered for sponsorship. Individuals on school visas (OPT, CPT, etc.) will not be considered for this opportunity.
  • Travel requirements: 10%
  • Exempt/nonexempt: exempt
  • Base pay range: $70,000—$78,000 USD
Responsibilities
  • The Operations Management Trainee Program will provide trainees with four critical operations experiences over a two-year period in engineering and operations, to prepare for future operations leadership positions.
  • Each participant will be based a consecutive year at two of the following production plant locations: Coopersville, MI; Goodyear, AZ; Webster, NY. Initial job site location will be based on current business needs. A willingness to relocate is required for consideration.
  • Participants will complete four rotations during their two-year program, based on interest and business need.
  • The primary focus during the Rotation Program will be within Operations and Engineering.

Fairlife, a Coca-Cola subsidiary based in Chicago, makes lactose-free, real dairy beverages. Its products include fairlife ultra-filtered milk, Core Power High Protein Shakes, and fairlife nutrition plan shakes. A proprietary filtration process concentrates protein and reduces lactose to create protein-forward, lower-lactose drinks, distributed at scale. Its goal is to nourish consumers while caring for people, animals, and the planet, with commitments to animal welfare and responsible packaging.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Chicago, Illinois

Founded

2012

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Sales grew 28% YoY to $782M, outpacing milk category's 2%.
  • Coca-Cola invests $650M in Michigan, lines operational 2028.
  • Plans boost capacity 30% across facilities in 3-5 years.

What critics are saying

  • Lawsuit claims false eco and welfare marketing erodes trust.
  • Animal abuse accusations at farms trigger boycotts now.
  • Chobani captures 15-20% premium dairy share in 12 months.

What makes Fairlife unique

  • Fairlife offers ultra-filtered lactose-free milk with higher protein and less sugar.
  • Core Power shakes target post-workout recovery in sports nutrition.
  • Nutrition Plan shakes support health journeys with real dairy.
  • Named Most Trusted High Protein Milk in U.S. 2026 rankings.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Hybrid Work Options

Company News

Food Dive
Mar 25th, 2026
Coca-Cola spends $650M to expand Fairlife production.

Coca-Cola spends $650M to expand Fairlife production. The beverage giant is adding to a Michigan manufacturing plant as the dairy brand sees "significant growth." Published March 25, 2026 Dive brief: * Coca-Cola is investing up to $650 million to update and expand production at its Fairlife facility in Michigan, according to a Tuesday news release. * The investment at its Cooperstown manufacturing plant will add 245,000 square feet of production space and create 150 additional jobs, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation said in a statement. * Fairlife, which produces ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk, protein and nutrition shakes, has been located at the Cooperstown facility since 2012. It employs more than 400 people. Facility updates will help production keep up with consumer demand as the brand sees "significant growth," the press release said. Dive insight: Since it was acquired in 2020, Fairlife has been a point of growth for Coca-Cola, surpassing the $1 billion sales threshold four years ago. The brand, which touts higher protein and less sugar than traditional milk, has benefited from more consumers seeking out healthier options. At Citi's Global Consumer and Retail Conference earlier this month, Coca-Cola President and CFO John Murphy said the beverage giant plans to invest in other Fairlife facilities during the next three to five years to increase production capacity by 30%. The investment in Michigan adds two additional production lines that are expected to be operational in 2028, according to a Coca-Cola press release. Construction will begin later this year. The Michigan expansion is in addition to a separate $650 million Fairlife facility in upstate New York, which is scheduled to open this year. Murphy cited Fairlife as an example of how Coca-Cola uses innovation to get closer to a broad consumer set. The brand also has a nutrition portfolio in addition to its protein shakes and milk. "You cannot... sit on the laurels of what you've accomplished to date, but it's a pretty darn good place to start from," Murphy said of Fairlife. "And as we go forward, I would see the innovation opportunity in this category to be quite strong."

The Cool Down
May 13th, 2025
Coca-Cola subsidiary hit with lawsuit for allegedly misleading consumers: 'Materially false'

Fairlife, acquired in full by Coca-Cola in 2020, depicts itself as an eco-conscious milk brand dedicated to working with local farms, conserving water, supporting renewable energy, and investing in animal welfare.

Courthouse News Service
Feb 26th, 2025
Upscale milk brand Fairlife accused of animal abuse, environmental wrongs

Upscale milk brand Fairlife accused of animal abuse, environmental wrongs.

Lancaster Farming
Apr 25th, 2024
Many Dairy Processors Are Expanding in Mid-Atlantic

Farmer-owned Cayuga Milk Ingredients announced plans in 2022 to expand into extended-shelf-life processing at its plant near Auburn, New York.

Dairy Herd Management
Apr 22nd, 2024
Fairlife Breaks Ground on $650 Million Facility in New York

Fairlife breaks ground on $650 million facility in New York.

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