Operations Internship (Summer 2026)

Summer Internship Program Overview

Cardinal Health’s Summer Internship Program is a structured 10-12 week experience designed for undergraduate students who will be entering their senior year and are eager to make an impact. As an intern, you’ll work on meaningful, business-critical projects that contribute to real outcomes while gaining exposure to the healthcare industry.

What you’ll gain:

• Hands-on experience through impactful projects
• Exposure to Cardinal Health’s business and culture
• Development of leadership and professional skills
• Networking opportunities with peers and leaders
• A chance to interview for full-time roles upon successful completion

Who we’re looking for:

• Undergraduate students graduating between December 2026 and June 2027
• Curious, driven, and eager to learn
• Interested in a career in the healthcare industry

Program Highlights

Real-World Experience
Interns collaborate with Cardinal Health professionals, business partners, customers, and vendors on impactful projects and daily responsibilities. Each intern also serves on a planning committee to enhance leadership skills and concludes the summer by presenting their work to business leaders.

Professional Development
Interns participate in a formal mentoring program, connect with employees across the organization, and attend workshops to strengthen business acumen. The program also provides opportunities to explore full-time career paths.

Networking Opportunities
Through the Executive Speaker Series and various networking events, interns engage with senior leaders and build relationships with professionals across the company.

Community & Camaraderie
Interns participate in social, team-building, and community service events designed to build a strong peer network and enrich the overall internship experience.

Job Description Summary

Location: Waukegan, Illinois

Start Date: May 18 or 26, 2026

Hours: Approximately 40 hours a week for a minimum of 10 weeks

As an Operations Intern, you could potentially support the organization in several of the following ways:

• Partner with site leaders to identify, analyze, and implement new or improved processes
• Document and present solutions to site leadership to make our processes more efficient, consistent and cost effective
• Develop, optimize, measure, and maintain performance and productivity
• Assist and collaborate with leaders in functional teams such as receiving, picking, packing, shipping, staging, transporting, storage, delivery, etc.
• Assist in the management of daily warehouse operations, optimizing workflow and increasing productivity
• Exposure to processing orders including accurately picking, performing quality control checks, sorting, consolidating freight, building, and wrapping pallets, packing, loading, and preparing orders for shipment
• Cross-training in multiple areas of the warehouse and participating in projects as needed
• Analyze existing key performance indicators (KPI)
• Design and document workflows to ensure operational effectiveness
• Identify and develop reporting capabilities and data visualization tools to analyze metrics and ensure operational effectiveness
• Participate in a Kaizen event

Accountabilities in this role

• Demonstrate strong analytical skills and attention to detail in all tasks
• Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization
• Maintain a proactive, results-oriented approach to work
• Prioritize tasks efficiently, recognize urgency, and consistently meet deadlines
• Work independently with moderate guidance, showing initiative and ownership
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities and evolving business needs

Qualifications

To be considered for the Cardinal Health Summer 2026 Internship Program, candidates should meet a combination of the following criteria:

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Management, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field, preferred
• Expected graduation between December 2026 and June 2027, preferred
• Knowledge of supply chain principles, Lean Six Sigma or other improvement techniques, preferred
• Comfortable working in a warehouse environment
• Demonstrated leadership, communication and analytical skills
• Participation in extracurricular activities, community organizations and/or professional associations
• Must have unlimited work authorization in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future

Please note, applicants may redact any age-related information.

Anticipated hourly rate: $22.00 per hour

Bonus eligible: No

Benefits: Medical, dental and vision coverage, Paid time off plan, Access to wages before pay day with myFlexPay

Application window anticipated to close: 02/28/2026 *if interested in opportunity, please submit application as soon as possible.

Candidates who are back-to-work, people with disabilities, without a college degree, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Cardinal Health supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. Cardinal Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

Salary : $22