What are the responsibilities and job description for the R&D Process Intern/Co-op position at Perfetti Van Melle?
Overview
Perfetti Van Melle - a global confectionary company and makers of great product brands such as Airheads and Mentos- is seeking an enthusiastic college student for an internship/co-op with our US Research & Development (R&D) team. This internship/co-op will be based in our Erlanger, KY facility (near the Cincinnati /CVG airport) with an expectation of 35-40 work hours per week. This internship is for an immediate start for the Fall 2025 semester, with the possibility of extension or rotation
What You Will Do
The R&D Process Intern/Co-Op role is designed to provide hands-on work experience and skill building for college students interested in pursuing a career in Manufacturing/Process Engineering or Research & Development. During this assignment, the Process Intern/Co-Op will support process improvements for the manufacture of high-quality confectionery products. Specific responsibilities for the Process Intern/Co-Op position include:
Perfetti Van Melle, USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other applicable statutorily protected group status under local, state, or federal law.
Nearest Major Market: Cincinnati
Perfetti Van Melle - a global confectionary company and makers of great product brands such as Airheads and Mentos- is seeking an enthusiastic college student for an internship/co-op with our US Research & Development (R&D) team. This internship/co-op will be based in our Erlanger, KY facility (near the Cincinnati /CVG airport) with an expectation of 35-40 work hours per week. This internship is for an immediate start for the Fall 2025 semester, with the possibility of extension or rotation
What You Will Do
The R&D Process Intern/Co-Op role is designed to provide hands-on work experience and skill building for college students interested in pursuing a career in Manufacturing/Process Engineering or Research & Development. During this assignment, the Process Intern/Co-Op will support process improvements for the manufacture of high-quality confectionery products. Specific responsibilities for the Process Intern/Co-Op position include:
- Identify areas for improvement and implement effective, permanent, and systemic solutions to process reliability and efficiency issues.
- Investigate, test, and collect data to improve processes, products, or product packaging.
- Modify recipes, research raw material interactions, and make recommendations based on scientific studies to improve existing products as well as to build on new product developments.
- Ingredient research and application
- Food manufacturing process improvement studies/solution recommendations
- Commissioning/Validation for new equipment and/or procedures
- Statistical correlation of process variables with product properties/design of experiments
- Sample collection, preparation, evaluation, and data analysis
- End of assignment presentation to cross-functional departments
- Qualified candidates will be pursuing a degree in STEM discipline or another related field.
- Ability to work a minimum of 35 hours per week.
- Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, and effective presentation skills,
- Intermediate level in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with Microsoft Teams is helpful.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and present and to draw and interpret graphs.
- Strength in decision-making, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Basic knowledge of GMPs, testing/sampling methods, and food safety.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Ability to be flexible with work schedule, with occasional extended work hours.
- Ability to effectively communicate with suppliers, internal customers, colleagues, co-packers, auditors.
- Ability to prepare and interpret charts and graphs for process capabilities.
- Willingness to help with trials on the production floor, analyze data from candy production processes, write reports, and report out to cross-functional teams.
- Ability to transport finished good cases from nearby off-site warehouse
Perfetti Van Melle, USA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other applicable statutorily protected group status under local, state, or federal law.
Nearest Major Market: Cincinnati
