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 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

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.