R&D Food Technologist Internship

R&D Food Technologist Internship KLN Family Brands/Kenny’s Candy & Confections College Juniors and Seniors…We’re looking for you! Our Story KLN Family Brands is a 3 rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products. At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company. We are successful because of trust-based relationships, and first-rate products for our families and friends. We better the world by caring for others. We challenge. We grow. We inspire.” Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little. Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves. That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do. We tell the story of our brand – our people , the quality & safety of our products, our tradition & trust , our bold innovation , and the way we treat our community & beyond . We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company. We’re looking for an R&D Food Technologist Intern for the summer of 2027 that is serious about a career in food manufacturing, specifically within the confectionary industry. If you are willing to learn from the best and have a desire to participate in the growth of some of the fastest growing brands in the confectionary industry, you’ve stumbled upon the right job. The Opportunity As an R&D Food Technologist Intern, you’ll work closely with our R&D Application Supervisor, other R&D team members, and the entire operations team. Daily Duties And Responsibilities Create new products for our brands and business-to-business (B2B) partners Improve existing products and optimize formulasEngage with customers to gather meaningful insights and translate them into concepts, prototypes, and commercial offeringsSuggest, build, and apply tools to improve processes and learningsCollaborate with external partners to source innovative solutions and identify new capabilitiesWork cross-functionally to develop packaging design, establish product specifications, and define First Production Run (FPR) expectations Unique Projects Develop one or more products that address specific Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) needs and capitalize on market opportunities Contribute in strategic planning initiatives that support long-term business growth You Will Learn Things Like Innovation and creativityGoal setting and KPI measurementAnalytical and critical thinkingProblem solvingOral and written communicationTeamwork and leadership What You’ll Need to Be Successful at KLN Family Brands/Kenny’s Candy & Confections: At least a Junior in college pursuing a degree in Food Science or a related fieldThe ability to dedicate 10-12 weeks to the internship program for the summer of 2027A positive attitude and willingness to learnThe ability to work in a team atmosphere and be a great co-workerThe ability to work on-site at our Perham, MN facility for the summer Compensation The starting hourly rate of pay is $17.94 and will be a percentage of industry standards based on typical full-time starting salaries, and will depend on your year in school and timeline to graduation. Potential Interns who demonstrate exceptional performance and a passion for our business may have the opportunity for full-time employment upon graduation.