R&D Product Development Intern (Northbrook IL) - Summer 2027 - Campus Recruiting

Hormel Foods Family of Companies•Northbrook, IL

1h•$25•Onsite

About The Position

Gain hands-on experience in food product development, process optimization, and commercial manufacturing while working alongside R&D professionals to develop products and solutions that support business growth across Retail and Foodservice channels. This internship provides exposure to the complete product development lifecycle, from concept development and formulation through commercialization and production.

Requirements

Completed at least two years of study toward a degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Meat Science, or a related field at the time of application.
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Expected graduation date between December 2027 and August 2028.
Demonstrated leadership experience through academic, professional, volunteer, or extracurricular activities.
Strong work ethic, initiative, and desire to learn.
Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively in a team environment.
Ability to work safely in a pilot plant and manufacturing environments.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Applicants must not currently require, nor in the future require, sponsorship for employment visa status.
Must have access to reliable transportation and the ability to utilize a personal motor vehicle for work-related travel as necessary.

Nice To Haves

Previous food manufacturing, meat processing, laboratory, or product development experience.
Knowledge of food formulation principles and food processing operations.
Experience with laboratory testing methods and data analysis.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Responsibilities

Work closely with product development scientists on a wide variety of value-added food projects across the Planters®, NUT∙rition® and Skippy® brands (may require travel to other production facilities within the USA)
Gain experience and apply knowledge of food science to the product development process
Learn to operate a wide variety of food processing equipment
Practice communication skills, use analytical techniques, and apply critical thinking skills
Learn about product formulation and prepare prototypes in the lab/pilot plant for review by marketing, sales, operations and R&D
Gain practical experience applying food science, meat science, and engineering principles to product development and commercialization.
Learn and operate a variety of food processing equipment within a pilot plant and manufacturing settings.
Collect, analyze, and interpret product, process, and quality data to support project recommendations and decision making.
Develop communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through project execution and cross-functional collaboration.
Participate in project meetings with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and R&D teams to gain insight into the product development process.
Support plant trials and product scale-up activities from pilot plant through commercial production.
Assist with process and product troubleshooting to improve product quality, consistency, and manufacturing efficiency.
Evaluate new ingredients, technologies, and processes to support innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
Formulate and prepare product prototypes for review by cross-functional stakeholders.
Conduct meat quality assessments and product evaluations.
Lead an individual summer project under the guidance of an R&D scientist and present findings and recommendations to business stakeholders at the conclusion of the internship.
Travel to manufacturing facilities within the United States may be required.

Benefits

Competitive hourly pay of $24.50 per hour, paid weekly.
Housing assistance through company-provided housing or a housing stipend, based on location and availability.
Reimbursement of eligible relocation expenses.
Reimbursement for approved business-related travel and expenses.
Opportunity to participate in the Company's 401(k) retirement savings plan, including Company match where applicable.
Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual during the internship.
Professional development programming, including leadership presentations, networking opportunities, and career development workshops.
Mentorship from experienced R&D professionals.
Exposure to commercial manufacturing operations, product scale-up, and cross-functional business teams.
Opportunity to present project results and recommendations to business leaders.
High-performing interns may be considered for future internships, co-op opportunities, and full-time employment following graduation.