Product Development Intern

Sargento is a family-owned cheese and food products company. The Product Development Intern provides technical support and executes research and development projects involving food products, processes, packaging, sensory evaluation, quality, and production methodology.

What you'll do:

• Under close supervision, executes experiments in the research and development of products using established laboratory/pilot plant procedures
• Conduct sensory evaluations including Descriptive, Discrimination, Acceptability in support of research and development, quality, and marketing initiatives
• Implement descriptive panel trainings and methods to support product evaluations for the company
• Performs a variety of routine scientific tasks that provide experience and familiarization with technical and other functional areas using the methods, practices, and programs of Sargento Foods, Inc
• Learns methods to improve quality of foods such as flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, convenience, or physical, chemical, and microbiological composition of foods and applies to assigned projects
• Studies food standards, safety and sanitary regulations, good manufacturing practices and supply specifications to ensure projects meet applicable standards
• Evaluates food products, processes, and packaging, and develops specific production methodology under test conditions
• May assist plant scale-up of products and processes into the manufacturing plant
• Seeks information from internal (process engineers, marketing, quality systems) and external (suppliers, consultants) functional experts to resolve issues
• Maintains written technical documentation, and product and process specifications

What they're looking for:

• You are enthusiastic, creative, analytical, collaborative and goal driven
• You have a fundamental understanding of food science principles, practices, and procedures
• Pursuing a bachelor's degree in food science, food process engineering or related with a junior status or above; or pursuing a master's degree in food science with at least the first year of course completed
• Ability to effectively present information to peers and colleagues
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables
• Proficiency in MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
• Valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, and vehicle required. There is no mass/public transit system to/from corporate housing location to company locations

Benefits:

• Lead and own real and relevant projects aligned with business objectives
• Gain valuable skills and experiences to be prepared for entry level opportunities
• Mentorship and career development to learn and grow personally and professionally
• Volunteer in community service activities
• Social professional networking experiences
• Flexible work week onsite Mondays through Thursdays and optional remote Fridays; plus, half day Fridays
• Paid relocation and housing
• 5 unpaid days off for interns
• 401(k) employer contribution top 1% in the nation
• Discounts at the company cheese store and local attractions/events