Innovation Marketing Internship

'' • Chicago, IL

1d • $23 - $26 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an Innovation Marketing Intern to support our Global Snacking Innovation Marketing team for a 12-week internship beginning in May 2026. This role is designed for a curious, analytical, and future-focused marketer who is passionate about innovation, food trends, and retail strategy.
In this position, you will build critical strategic thinking skills required for a career in innovation marketing, brand management or consumer insights. You will gain hands-on exposure to how consumer and operator insights translate into innovation strategies, pipeline decisions, and retail-ready solutions that come to life in the marketplace.
A core focus of this role will be helping the team identify innovation white space opportunities in the retail channel across the globe by turning data into insights and insights into “jobs to be done”—ultimately helping McCain differentiate, grow, and win with consumers and customers.

Requirements

• Currently working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or Business Strategy
• Strong curiosity—always asking why consumers behave the way they do and what’s next
• Interest in food, food culture, and emerging food trends
• Passion for innovation, retail strategy, and future-forward thinking
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• A self-starter who is comfortable working independently and collaboratively
• Analytical mindset with a love for digging into data and uncovering insights
• Ability to commute to the Oakbrook Terrace, IL office and work a hybrid schedule (3 days/week onsite)

Responsibilities

• Support the team in diving into McCain’s Global Snacking Innovation pipeline architecture, with a focus on Tastiez/Pickers platform
• Explore and evaluate Better-for-You (BFY) trends, Ethnic flavors and formats, and pack-size innovation to unlock new availability and retail opportunities
• Translate consumer, shopper, and operator data into actionable insights and “jobs to be done” that inform future innovation and renovation
• Identify white space opportunities that strengthen McCain’s retail differentiation
• Develop a strong understanding of how insights drive strategy across the Retail channels
• Analyze how innovation shows up at shelf and on menu—linking consumer needs to retail execution
• Support projects that examine how to build the Tastiez/Pickers portfolio within the category
• Build data analytics skills using external data sources such as NPD and IRI
• Mine insights from McCain’s Demand Landscape and Sub-Spaces to inform innovation priorities
• Participate in the creation and presentation of Key Insights and Strategic Recommendations for cross-functional partners
• Own real-world initiatives that evolve into strategies executed in the marketplace
• Gain exposure to brand marketing, communication development, and new product innovation
• Receive 1:1 coaching and mentorship from Innovation team members and cross-functional partners

Benefits

• McCain's early careers programming offers a multitude of learning experiences aimed at advancing your career in the future.
• Your well-being matters to us, and we’re here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work — and at home.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees