Microbiology Quality Intern

BUSINESS SUMMARY/SCOPE

Home Run Inn Pizza is a fourth-generation family business that competes in both the restaurant and frozen food industries. Ideally you have one of our frozen pizzas in your freezer right now. Our primary goal at Home Run Inn Pizza is to be more than a participant in these industries. Our goal is to be a leader in the retail space, and to make a positive impact on our communities. We are building a world-class internship program for students to learn first-hand what it takes to see true personal growth, and to grow a business that operates by its values. We currently dominate the Chicago frozen pizza landscape, and we know exactly why. We’ve identified the key elements of our Chicago strategy and have decided it is time to become the leading tavern style pizza nationally!

OUR VALUES

• Courage allows us to not be defensive in the face of undesired results or constructive feedback. We do not rationalize our mistakes; we do not blame others. Courage pushes us to seek truth so we can make informed decisions
• Pride drives us to set high standards and pay attention to results. With Pride no one is needed to hold us accountable to our commitments other than ourselves.
• Family is a willingness to be a productive teammate. Healthy teams, Family, align around commitments that have been established and agreed upon.
• Grit allows us to challenge the past, and any existing bias or old ways of doing things. Grit sets the mindset that we should always work hard to challenge the status quo.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Microbiology Quality Intern to join our Quality Assurance team at our frozen food manufacturing facility. This role will involve participating in the environmental monitoring program, including: swabbing food contact and non-food contact surfaces, sampling air and water, analyzing the resulting microbiological data, and observing and documenting general quality functions to recommend improvements to their mentor.

By the end of the internship, the candidate will have developed and utilized their critical thinking skills to help execute multiple microbiological validation studies. They will gain an understanding of a key component of food safety through hands-on performance of tasks, and data analysis. They will have gained experience in the food manufacturing industry and learned teamwork and leadership skills that can be applied across nearly any field.

This is a hands-on internship ideal for a student interested in industrial applications of life sciences, food manufacturing processes, or business operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in collecting environmental samples (e.g. swabs from food contact and non-food contact surfaces, air, water) according to scheduled EM plans.
• Properly label, transport, and document samples for microbiological analysis.
• Maintain accurate records of sampling data, test results, and corrective actions.
• Support root cause analysis and trend investigations for any positive or out-of-spec results.
• Collaborate with intern’s mentor, sanitation, production, and quality teams to identify and mitigate potential contamination risks.
• Perform ATP testing, allergen testing, and other rapid sampling procedures as required.
• Maintain swabbing supplies and equipment in a clean, organized, and calibrated condition.
• Observe and document quality practices on the production floor, and aid in standardizing work through written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Work Instructions (WIs).
• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety standards, and plant safety policies.

SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supports a culture of safety; follows all safety procedures.  Responsible for safety performance in respective area.  Ensures the implementation of, adherence to, and enforcement of workplace health and safety requirements.  Ensures activities are completed to promote and enforce safe behaviors by supervisors and employees.  Fulfills responsibilities as outlined in the company safety program.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently pursuing a degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow procedures precisely.
• Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Basic computer and data entry skills; experience with MS Office Suite is a plus.
• Comfortable working in cold environments (refrigerated areas, PPE provided).
• Ability to stand and walk throughout work day.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Basic understanding of microbiological sampling and aseptic techniques.
• Experience performing basic benchtop lab tests involving plating, streaking, and inoculating samples
• Experience handling swabs, pipettes, and environmental samples
• Interest in moving into R&D, Quality Control, Manufacturing Quality, or Quality Assurance roles.
• Comfortable working in cold environments for short periods (refrigerated areas, PPE provided).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Comfortable working in cold environments (refrigerated areas, PPE provided).
• Ability to stand and walk throughout work day.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an intern encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• As required, works in a loud area that requires hearing protection and other protective equipment to be worn.
• May be exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals and biological materials.   
• Frequently exposed to some of the FDA designated major food allergens (Milk and Wheat)

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• How large-scale food manufacturing works behind the scenes:
  • Understanding the end-to-end manufacturing process: from dough preparation to topping application, baking, freezing, and packaging.
  • Learning about automated machinery and assembly line operations.
  • Exposure to quality control checkpoints and procedures.
• Learn aseptic techniques, Good Documentation Practices (GDP), and several methods of environmental sampling.
• Develop skills analyzing large amounts of biological data, and coming to conclusions
• Exposure to proper method validation, in the context of industrial microbiology
• Improve verbal and written communication skills by working cross-functionally (production, quality, maintenance)
• Real-world exposure to food safety practices in a high-volume, frozen food production environment.
• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
• Networking and mentorship opportunities within the food manufacturing industry.

SUPERVISOR / MENTOR

The candidate’s direct supervisor and mentor is the Quality Manager. The Quality Manager is a College of DuPage and Cedarville University alum and holds a master’s degree in microbiology and cell science from the University of Florida.

He has over a decade of Food Manufacturing, Laboratory, and Quality control/assurance experience. He has developed food safety and quality assurance programs, authored SOPs and work instructions, and led employee-safety programs. 

The Quality Manager has extensive experience in both training and overseeing interns and direct reports. He is passionate about student success and has served as an Adjunct Instructor in the Biology Department at Elmhurst University since Fall 2021. He employs a servant leadership attitude and is involved in the Stagen Leadership Academy.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted through College Central & Handshake Portals. Please be ready for an on-site interview and to submit a resume, cover letter, and references. Writing samples may also be requested.