Intern assigment: Process Optimization within a fish farm

This internship assignment focuses on process optimization and efficient working within a fish farm at The Kingfish Company, a pioneer and leader in sustainable land-based aquaculture. The Kingfish Company is growing faster than ever and our production team plays a key part in realizing the Future of Fish!

Objective of the internship

To analyze, improve, and optimize operational processes within the fish farm, with the goal of increasing efficiency, saving time, and improving productivity and quality.

Background

Daily operations within the fish farm include processes such as feeding, water management, monitoring, maintenance, and logistics. While essential, these processes often offer opportunities for improvement in efficiency, standardization, and workforce utilization.

Assignment description

The intern will analyze one or more core processes within the farm and map them out. Based on this analysis, the intern will develop concrete improvement proposals and, where possible, test and implement them.

Key activities

• Map current processes (e.g., using process flows and observations)
• Conduct time studies and identify bottlenecks
• Identify waste (e.g., waiting time, unnecessary actions, errors)
• Interview employees about their workflows and improvement ideas
• Analyze available data (e.g., production, losses, cycle times)
• Develop improvement proposals (e.g., more efficient workflows, tools, planning)
• Test improvements in practice (pilot projects)
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Present findings and recommendations to the team/management

Possible sub-projects (choose 1–2 focus areas)

• More efficient workforce planning and task allocation
• Improvement of monitoring and data registration systems
• Reduction of manual work through simple automation
• Standardization of daily routines (SOPs)
• Optimization of internal logistics (movement, storage, process flow)

Expected results

• Clear overview of current processes (visual and well-documented)
• Analysis of bottlenecks and improvement opportunities
• Concrete and well-substantiated improvement proposals
• At least one tested or implemented improvement initiative
• Final report with practical recommendations
• Optional: work instructions or SOPs for employees

Supervision and collaboration

• Guidance from the Production Manager and Head of production
• Close collaboration with employees on the work floor
• Regular progress meetings

Intern profile

• Student in business administration, engineering, agriculture, food/aquaculture, or similar
• Interest in process optimization and efficiency improvement
• Analytical and curious mindset
• Strong communication skills and comfortable working on-site
• Hands-on and proactive attitude
• Fluent in English

The Kingfish Company

The Kingfish Company is a pioneer and leader in sustainable land-based aquaculture. We produce the Yellowtail Kingfish (also known as Ricciola/Hiramasa/Greater Amberjack), a highly versatile premium fish species. Our operation is based on three core principles: sustainability, respect for our fish, and the environment. These principles are at the heart of our design, activity, and technology decisions.

Production of our fish is based on advanced recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), which create the ideal growth environment for kingfish, offer optimal biosecurity, and limit environmental impact. Animal welfare is paramount and our fish are grown without the use of antibiotics and vaccines. Operations run on 100% renewable energy, sourced from wind, solar, and biogas, and the company’s facilities operate on seawater to avoid wasting precious fresh water.