Innovation Intern

PetIQ•Eagle, ID

About The Position

The Innovation Intern will support critical operational initiatives within the Innovation team, with a primary focus on palatability testing execution and science-backed claims sourcing. This role is designed for a highly organized, analytical, and proactive individual who is excited to work cross-functionally with R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Brand Marketing, Project Management, Legal/Regulatory and external partners. The intern will play a hands-on role in scaling and streamlining innovation processes, owning defined projects with clear deliverables that directly support product development and go-to-market readiness. This is an excellent opportunity to gain real-world experience in product innovation, testing operations, and claims strategy within a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with comfort drafting professional emails, surveys, and documentation
Analytical mindset with the ability to synthesize information into clear summaries, comparisons, and recommendations
High attention to detail and follow-through, especially when managing timelines, data, and external stakeholders
Ability to work cross-functionally and collaborate with R&D, Operations, Brand Marketing, and external partners
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Sheets/Excel, Docs/Word, Slides/PowerPoint)
Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree (Junior or Senior standing preferred) or recently completed a Bachelor’s degree
Relevant fields of study include (but are not limited to): Business, Marketing, or Operations Product Management or Innovation Food Science, Nutrition, Biology, Chemistry, or a related science discipline Engineering or Analytics-focused programs

Nice To Haves

Interest in product innovation, consumer research, or new product development
Experience with data analysis, survey tools, or dashboards
Exposure to process improvement, automation, or operational scaling (coursework, internships, or projects)
Experience working with cross-functional teams or managing external vendors
Comfort working in fast-paced environments and taking ownership of defined deliverables
Familiarity with consumer testing, sensory studies, or science-backed claims (a plus, not required)

Responsibilities

Support the execution and analysis of palatability (PAL) studies in partnership with R&D, Operations, Brand Marketing and Project Management
Manage end-to-end PAL study logistics, including sample tracking, participant communications, and follow-through
Drive participant engagement to ensure timely survey completion and high-quality data
Assist in the design, documentation, and scaling of the PAL process, identifying opportunities for automation, efficiency, and cost optimization
Develop standardized communication templates and reporting outputs to support repeatable execution
Track progress across multiple concurrent studies and flag risks or delays proactively
Research and evaluate external claims houses to support science-backed product claims
Compare claims houses across capabilities, testing methodologies, timelines, pricing, and types of claims supported
Build a structured comparison matrix to support internal decision-making
Synthesize findings into clear recommendations for preferred claims house partners
Support Innovation and cross-functional stakeholders in understanding trade-offs and next steps
Develop standardized communication templates and reporting outputs to support repeatable execution
Track progress across multiple concurrent studies and flag risks or delays proactively