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 formulas
Engage with customers to gather meaningful insights and translate them into concepts, prototypes, and commercial offerings
Suggest, build, and apply tools to improve processes and learnings
Collaborate with external partners to source innovative solutions and identify new capabilities
Work 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 creativity
Goal setting and KPI measurement
Analytical and critical thinking
Problem solving
Oral and written communication
Teamwork 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 field
The ability to dedicate 10-12 weeks to the internship program for the summer of 2027
A positive attitude and willingness to learn
The ability to work in a team atmosphere and be a great co-worker
The ability to work on-site at our Perham, MN facility for the summer

Interns who demonstrate exceptional performance and a passion for our business may have the opportunity for full-time employment upon graduation.

Pay for this position will be a percentage of industry standards based on typical full-time starting salaries and will depend on your year in school and your timeline to graduation.

KLN ENTERPRISES INC

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R&D Food Technologist Internship