2026 Nestlé Manufacturing Leadership Development Program

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow.


At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight and deliver for our consumers. With a rich portfolio of beloved brands, including DiGiorno, Toll House, and Coffee mate, in 97% of U.S. households, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives.

 

Joining Nestlé means becoming part of an inclusive workplace that inspires innovation, encourages strategic thinking and creativity, and celebrates your achievements. No matter where you work within the organization, you are empowered to challenge the status quo, embrace risk-taking, and pioneer new ideas. Our supportive and collaborative environment encourages bold ambitions and continuous learning so that everyone can grow and thrive.


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 2026 Nestlé Manufacturing Leadership Development Program (MLDP):

Are you ready to kickstart your career with a leading global company? We are looking for ambitious individuals seeking real-world experience and a fast track to leadership in Manufacturing! Nestlé USA's Manufacturing Leadership Development Program (MLDP) offers an exciting 1-year rotational program which feeds into a 2-year assignment as a Supervisor in one of the following functions: Production, Maintenance, or Warehouse. Join us on a journey of personal and professional growth that will set you on the path to success!  

• June 2026 – December 2026: During the first 6 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. You will also get the opportunity to participate in job shadowing and lead impactful projects. 

• January 2027 – June 2027: At the conclusion of the first 6 months of the program, MLDPs choose a career path in either Production, Maintenance, or Warehouse Leadership. During this time, you will receive focused training to set you up for success to perform Supervisor role duties and ultimately prepare you for a supervisory role at the end of the program. You'll develop essential leadership skills through mentorship, scenario-based learning, and immersion in Nestlé's proven leadership practices.  

• Upon Program Completion:  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 2-year assignment will allow you to apply your knowledge and make a significant impact as a leader in our organization. 

Additional Information: 

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  

Location:

• Ability to relocate to one of our MLDP Center of Excellence factory locations across Nestlé USA for the duration of the 1-year program.

• Available locations are: Jacksonville, IL. Fremont, MI. Cleveland, OH. Gaffney, SC.

• Ability to be placed in one of our Nestlé USA factories at the end of the program into a 2-year Supervisor position (either Production, Maintenance, or Warehouse).

• Willing to work any assigned shift, which may include but is not limited to first, second, third, weekends, holidays, extended shifts (e.g., 10-hour or 12-hour schedules) and overnight shifts, as required throughout the program. Please note that our facilities may have ambient conditions that can be cold, wet, or warm.

• 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 program and beyond!

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

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, Safety Management, Food Science, Industrial Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (completed or expected by June 2026). 

• Preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. 

Experience: 

• Prior internship or co-op experience, student organization and/or other leadership experience is preferred. 

• Prior manufacturing experience preferred 

• Previous problem-solving experience with tangible results 

Additional Requirements: 

• Available to start the program in June 2026 

• 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 (first, second, or third) and weekends 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 

• Immersion into a dynamic and inclusive work culture 

• 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 

The approximate target compensation range for this role is $75,000-$80,000. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position.

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.  

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [email protected] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. 

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.

The Nestlé Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at [email protected] or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

 

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. 

 

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