Getting hands-on experience | An inside look at a JELD-WEN summer internship 

Interns at JELD-WEN don’t just watch and learn, they jump in and make an impact. Grady Rikard, a summer 2024 operations intern, played an important role on several unique projects over the course of his internship.

As part of the sourcing and logistics team, Grady got hands-on experience working with business challenges and solutions, specifically in the area of product transportation.

Grady spent his summer focused on logistics for LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipments. When products do not require a full truck for shipment, LTL solutions come into play. Often, the items loaded onto LTL shipments are customized products that cannot be shipped in bulk.

“My role at JELD-WEN was especially unique working on LTL shipments because we have a variety of customizable products,” said Grady.

“We are constantly coming up with solutions for packing and shipping products of different sizes and shapes. We almost never ship the same kind of pallet, and that was one of my favorite elements of the job – getting to deal with new challenges every day.” 

Grady’s main three projects consisted of a LTL Claims Standard Operating Procedure, a Mock Bid Project and a Warehouse Locations Project. For each of these projects, Grady focused on leveraging best shipping practices to minimize cost and guarantee customer satisfaction.

As part of his interactive experience, Grady visited the Estes trucking terminal in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he saw firsthand the process of loading a LTL shipment. 

“I don’t think a lot of people think about that side of the business, but there are a lot of steps that go into delivering the product you see on the shelf. It felt like my work contributed to maximizing productivity,” said Grady.

Collaborating across functions, Grady exposed himself to different elements of the business. His cross-functional work gave him a better understanding of workflows and insight into potential career paths. The internship program provided invaluable networking opportunities, including the chance to meet and ask questions of CEO Bill Christensen. “It was cool to have that kind of experience, and I wouldn’t think you would have that opportunity anywhere else,” said Grady.

Grady also recounted the numerous friendships he formed with other interns and coworkers that made his time at JELD-WEN enjoyable and memorable. 

Grady walked away from his summer internship with new skills to help him achieve future success and with a sense of accomplishment knowing he helped contribute to real-life business goals. 

Learn more about development opportunities for young professionals at JELD-WEN here.