About the role#
This internship offers hands-on experience in food product development, process optimization, and commercial manufacturing. You will work alongside R&D professionals to support business growth across Retail and Foodservice channels. The role covers the full product development lifecycle, from initial concept and formulation through to commercialization and production.
What you'll do#
- Work with product development scientists on value-added food projects.
- Formulate and prepare product prototypes in the lab and pilot plant.
- Operate a variety of food processing equipment in pilot plant and manufacturing settings.
- Apply food science, meat science, and engineering principles to development tasks.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret product, process, and quality data.
- Support plant trials and product scale-up activities.
- Assist with process and product troubleshooting to improve quality and efficiency.
- Evaluate new ingredients, technologies, and processes.
- Conduct meat quality assessments and product evaluations.
- Participate in project meetings with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.
- Lead an individual summer project and present findings to business stakeholders.
What you'll need#
- Completed at least two years of study toward a degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Meat Science, or a related field.
- Expected graduation date between December 2027 and August 2028.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Demonstrated leadership experience and a strong work ethic.
- Ability to work safely in pilot plant and manufacturing environments.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Access to reliable transportation and the ability to use a personal motor vehicle for work-related travel.
- Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
- Previous experience in food manufacturing, meat processing, laboratory work, or product development is preferred.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, on-site position based in Northbrook, Illinois.
- The internship term is Summer 2027.
- Travel to manufacturing facilities within the United States may be required.
About Hormel Foods
Hormel Foods is a global branded food company based in Austin, Minnesota. Founded in 1891, the organization manages a portfolio of brands including SPAM, SKIPPY, and PLANTERS. It operates as a public company and is a member of the S&P 500 Index. The business employs over 10,000 people.
How to get in at Hormel Foods
Applying early to Hormel Foods gives you a better chance of being seen before the applicant pool grows too large. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, so you can submit your materials among the first. Getting your application in early is a practical way to manage the competition. You can use Intern Insider to identify the specific recruiters behind these roles and reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral. Connecting with a human at Hormel Foods often improves your response rates compared to waiting in a queue. This approach takes more effort than a standard application, but it is a common way to gain visibility.
