Product Development Intern - Summer 2026

Select Milk Producers • La Crosse, WI

19h • Onsite

About The Position

At Select Custom Solutions, located in La Crosse, WI, the company specializes in contract manufacturing, branded dairy and non-dairy ingredients, custom blends, and ingredient distribution. They provide innovative functional ingredients and contract manufacturing services to the food, beverage, and nutritional industries. The company is partnered with Select Milk Producers, a dairy cooperative with over 110 family-owned dairies. This Product Development Intern role supports the Innovation team by assisting with product innovation, sample preparation, and day-to-day operations of the sample program. It offers hands-on experience in food product development, including ingredient handling, formulation support, inventory management, and sample fulfillment. The intern will collaborate cross-functionally with Innovation, Sales, and Customer Experience (CX) to ensure timely and accurate delivery of product samples, gaining exposure to food science, ingredient functionality, and the product development lifecycle. The internship is for Summer 2026, from the beginning of June to the end of August, with hours Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

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.

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
• 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

• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees