Innovation Intern - 2027

About the role

The Innovation Department provides technical leadership, scientific expertise, and business partnership that support Mennel's commitment to delivering superior quality, uniformity, and service. As an Innovation Department Intern, the individual gains hands-on experience supporting projects and initiatives across the department's core functional areas while developing technical and professional skills. This position will sustain the Mission and Motto and Food Safety and Quality Statement of the Mennel Milling Company.

The Innovation Department serves as the company's center of excellence for:

• Research & Development
• Food Safety
• Regulatory Affairs
• Site Quality Management
• Corporate Quality Systems
• Sustainability

Through exposure to these functions, interns develop an understanding of how scientific, technical, and cross-functional disciplines work together to support product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, sustainability, and customer success across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Assist department team members with projects, initiatives, and day-to-day activities.
• Support data collection, analysis, organization, and documentation efforts.
• Participate in assigned projects while developing technical and professional skills.
• Assist with preparing reports, presentations, training materials, and other business communications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support departmental and organizational objectives.
• Maintain accurate records, files, and documentation as assigned.
• Participate in meetings, training opportunities, and team discussions.
• Develop an understanding of company operations, products, processes, and customer requirements.
• Follow all applicable food safety, quality, regulatory, safety, and company policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate professionalism, initiative, teamwork, and a willingness to learn.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Engineering, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Agriculture, Data Analytics, Statistics, Computer Science, Regulatory Affairs, or another related scientific or technical field.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze information and solve problems in a structured manner.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and willingness to learn.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Interest in research and development, food safety, quality, regulatory affairs, sustainability, or related technical fields.

Language skills

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos, procedures, and plans.
• Ability to write, complete checklists and other basic documentation and correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information or data in one-on-one and small group situations to co-workers, supervisors, and managers.

Mathematical skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning ability

• Must use solid judgment when making decisions.
• Must have ability to quickly recognize and plan for changing work duties and events.

Physical demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to perform maintenance tasks, reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, twist, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to conditions that are typical to an office environment.

Schedule

This internship is available for the Summer of 2027. Flexible hours. Office hours open from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Supervisory responsibilities

This position has no supervisory duties.