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 3rd 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.