NEWS IN A NUTSHELL
Summer Internship Program
Connects Students with
Blue Diamond
Operations
While other students were enjoying their summer
vacation, some spent their time learning about
Blue Diamond
’s operations. The cooperative’s
Global Manufacturing Operations team welcomed
five interns who were placed in the Sacramento
and Turlock sites.
For eleven weeks, these students from California
Polytechnic University and the University of California
Davis, had the opportunity to take on a challenging
project and gain hands-on experience, decision-
making and professional growth. Some of the projects
included:
• Optimizing the movement and storage of cook
bins on the new standup bag line;
• Organizing Preventive Maintenance (PM) training
in iMaint;
• Reducing Sanitation downtime by 10%;
• Reducing the number of 1/8 skins or greater at
packout; and
• Reducing the number of steps required to create
pallet tags.
The interns came into the program with majors ranging
from industrial engineering to industrial technology.
“At
Blue Diamond Growers
, we believe that a summer
internship is a great way for a college student to
gain knowledge about Operations and real-world
business,” said Julie Newmarch, manager of talent
acquisition for
Blue Diamond
. “We’re looking for
bright students that are interested in a manufacturing
environment, learning new ideas and perspectives.
Our program is designed to provide the intern with an
opportunity to potentially transition into a full-time job
opportunity after graduation.”
Quotes from Summer 2017 Interns:
“This Summer I was fortunate to be able to be part
of the internship program at
Blue Diamond Growers
in Turlock, CA as an Operations Intern. This internship
program gave me valuable hands-on experience by
working at a manufacturing environment. It also taught
me the importance of teamwork and having great
communication skills. I could apply concepts learned
in a classroom to real situations. Finally, it gave me the
opportunity of working with bright people that were
always supportive and willing to help me succeed”.
— J. COLMENARES
“
Blue Diamond
is a really unique company in the way
they care for their employees. I really enjoyed working
here as an intern. The project assigned to me was
challenging, but I was given the appropriate resources
to help me meet my goal. But what I will remember most
about the company are the
Blue Diamond
employees.
Everyone here is friendly and helpful. I admire this
company’s open-door policy. I felt like it helped
me complete my project and get to know specific
individuals within the company because I was not
intimidated to talk to anyone or scared to ask questions.”
— K. FITZGERALD
“My internship with
Blue Diamond
gave me hands-on
experience working on meaningful projects that
improved manufacturing operations.”
— J. SMITH
“
Blue Diamond
gave me an amazing summer! I learned
so many skills I couldn’t have learned anywhere else and
I increased my confidence in my career choices. I feel
like I have gained mentors from
Blue Diamond
and I’m
so grateful to have met so many amazing people.”
— D. ODDONE
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