Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Contract: 12 Months (Fixed Term)
Closing Date: 15 September 2026
National Brands Limited (NBL) is inviting applications for a Production Intern to join the team at its Durban Tea Factory in KwaZulu-Natal. NBL produces some of South Africa’s most loved tea brands, including Five Roses, Freshpak and Trinco, and this internship offers hands-on exposure to manufacturing operations at one of the company’s five world-class facilities.
About the Role
The Production Intern will support the day-to-day running of the manufacturing floor, gaining practical experience in production planning, staff coordination, quality management, and continuous improvement. This is an ideal opportunity for a proactive, analytical graduate looking to build a career in production or operations management within the FMCG sector.
Key Responsibilities
Production Scheduling & People Management
- Participate in weekly production and labour planning
- Identify opportunities to streamline and optimise production lines and processes
- Engage with stakeholders across production, engineering, quality, and the tea department
Delivery & Data Analysis
- Improve data accuracy in the factory and support Shopware navigation
- Analyse production data and rework, identifying root causes of usage variances
- Support the implementation of Autonomous Maintenance
Quality
- Monitor product quality against compliance standards
- Support the Quality at Source system and Good Manufacturing Practices
- Ensure timely handling of Non-Conformance Reports and Customer Complaint Investigations
Systems & Operations Reporting
- Monitor daily performance and analytics reports
- Conduct 5S and Gemba compliance checks daily and weekly
World Class Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
- Participate in productivity and changeover reduction initiatives
- Support 5S implementation and manage visual boards
- Drive small Continuous Improvement (CI) and Capex support projects
- Lead problem-solving sessions to identify root causes and preventative actions
Qualifications & Requirements
- Matric
- 3-year tertiary qualification in Production Management, Operations Management, or Chemical Engineering
- Advanced MS Excel and report writing skills
- Ability to work independently and take initiative
- Willingness to work shifts and overtime
- Project management and data analysis skills
Why Join NBL?
- Contribute to producing South Africa’s favourite tea brands
- Gain exposure to all levels of the organisation in a collaborative, team-driven environment
- Access career growth opportunities across NBL’s manufacturing facilities
This is a fantastic opportunity for a driven graduate to gain real production management experience in a leading FMCG environment. Apply before 15 September 2026.