Product Development Intern - Spring 2027

Select Milk • La Crosse, WI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a Product Development Intern in La Crosse, WI. Timeframe: Spring 2027, Beginning January 2027 – Ending May 2027 Hours: Flexible, approximately 20 hours per week The Product Development Intern supports the Innovation team by assisting with product innovation, sample preparation, and day-to-day operations of the sample program. This role provides hands-on experience in food product development, including ingredient handling, formulation support, inventory management, and sample fulfillment. The intern collaborates cross-functionally with Innovation, Sales, and Customer Experience (CX) to ensure timely and accurate delivery of product samples while gaining exposure to food science, ingredient functionality, and the product development lifecycle.

Requirements

• Completion of one (1) year in a Bachelor’s Degree program with technical and/or scientific coursework required.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience in a professional lab environment required.

Nice To Haves

• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Perform data entry accurately and efficiently, utilizing, accessing and/or retrieving data in Word, Excel, UPS software, SalesForce, and Sample Request and Document Manager databases.
• Ability to read a batch formulation and correctly weigh up ingredients using appropriate scale.
• Determine availability of ingredients required to complete the sample request.
• Obtain needed labels and inserts (cards, product bulletins, nutritional info) from Customer Experience.
• Communicate with Innovation/Sales/CX any problems or delays from expected delivery date of the samples.
• Photograph container fills and other visual samples and send digital images as needed.
• Use barcode scanner to inventory new ingredient samples into Innovation inventory.
• Locate and removing product from inventory as needed.
• Locate and pull ingredient samples in the warehouses to replenish Innovation inventory and complete a powder blend for testing or for the fulfillment of a sample request.
• Follow Quality, Inventory and Sales guidelines when removing product from inventory.
• Prepare samples with special shipping materials (ex. packaging, dry ice) as needed.
• Have samples boxed, labeled and ready to ship with paperwork by daily UPS deadline.
• As necessary, make other arrangements for shipping (Fed Ex, other carrier, hand deliver).
• Develop a working understanding of the types and categories of food ingredients used, the brand names and vendors that supply them and the product codes used internally to identify each.
• Participate in Innovation group activities as time allows, which includes but is not limited to attending meetings as needed, performing clean-up tasks, and working on special projects as coordinated with a Food Technologist or Product Development Manager.
• Understand and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices and Safety Protocol.
• Stop any observed unsafe acts and obey facility safety rules and procedures.
• Correct or report any observed safety hazards.
• Support safety policies and programs.

Benefits

• Uniform Program
• Shoe Allowance
• Onsite gym
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Leadership Development Opportunities to support our local communities
• Chance to apply best practices in sustainability and environmental initiatives
• Commitment to producing high quality nutritious products and providing nourishment around the world

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree