R&D Intern (Summer 2027)

JonnyPops•Plymouth, MN

21h•$20 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

The Research & Development Intern will gain work experience at a high-growth frozen novelty company in preparation for a future role in R&D. The intern will support continuous improvement projects, product quality initiatives, and product commercialization. The role involves work with fluid, cultured, and frozen dairy and non-dairy products, as well as laboratory and pilot plant trials. A Senior Intern has additional leadership, coordination, supplier, and planning responsibilities for the intern cohort.

Requirements

Junior, senior, or MS student.
Understanding of hazard analysis and risk assessment.
Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods.
Reliable transportation.
Ability to travel to the Elk River, MN facility and Plymouth, MN offices.
Foundational knowledge of food safety and food hygiene.
Foundational knowledge of biological, chemical, and physical food hazards.
Attention to detail.
Ability to learn quickly, follow instructions, and work independently.
Curiosity, appreciation for ambiguity, and ability to embrace a test-and-learn approach to continuous improvement.
Alignment with JonnyPops' mission to spread kindness.
Versatility, flexibility, and willingness to work enthusiastically with changing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Preferred majors include Food Science, Chemistry, Packaging Science, or another related major, with an interest in food safety in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Participate in improving existing frozen pops, maintaining cost-effective measures, and resolving technical service issues related to fluid, cultured, and frozen dairy and non-dairy products.
Research how ingredients function in different products and processes.
Support product stability studies and shelf-life assessments.
Conduct laboratory and pilot plant trials.
Work with suppliers to procure samples for formulation testing.
Participate in implementing product quality initiatives.
Perform other tasks as assigned by R&D Scientists.
Ensure R&D activities comply with GMPs and do not compromise food safety or production quality.
Assist QA and production teams with root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Senior Intern: Lead new-intern onboarding and lab training, including water/cream pop base training and instruction on pH, Brix, viscosity, and density standards.
Senior Intern: Support secondary-supply qualification with Procurement and lead documentation reconciliation with R&D team support.
Senior Intern: Contribute to scoping projects for the next intern cohort, including drafting project briefs and category assignments during end-of-Q1/Q2 planning.
Senior Intern: Co-lead supplier workshops by helping identify outside experts, coordinate scheduling, and prepare questions.
Senior Intern: Own the sales sample queue by triaging and prioritizing requests across the intern cohort, flagging capacity conflicts, and directing back-stock priorities.