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Food Product Development Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

General Mills

$31.73/hr

Internship - Research & Development Scientist, Pet Food General Mills makes food the world loves ... Create new products with an emphasis on consumer-first design * Improve existing products and ...

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How much do food product development internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for food product development internship in the United States is $21.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food product development internship?

A Food Product Development Internship is a temporary position designed for students or recent graduates interested in the food industry. Interns work alongside food scientists and product developers to create, test, and improve new food products. The role often involves tasks like sensory evaluation, recipe formulation, ingredient research, and quality control. This experience provides valuable hands-on learning about the product development process and helps interns build practical skills for future careers in food science or related fields.

What are typical projects and responsibilities for a food product development intern?

As a Food Product Development Intern, you can expect to assist with a variety of hands-on projects, such as formulating new recipes, conducting sensory evaluations, and supporting shelf-life testing. You'll likely collaborate closely with food scientists, quality assurance teams, and marketing professionals to refine product concepts and ensure they meet both regulatory and consumer requirements. Interns often help with ingredient sourcing, documentation, and compiling data for analysis, providing a well-rounded experience that supports skill development and exposes you to the full product development lifecycle. This role is a great stepping stone for learning industry standards and gaining practical experience in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food product development intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Product Development Intern, you need a background in food science or a related field, with knowledge of food safety, ingredient functionality, and basic research methods. Familiarity with lab equipment, formulation software, sensory evaluation tools, and regulatory guidelines is typically required. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help you work effectively on cross-functional teams and present findings. These skills are vital to innovating safe, appealing products and advancing projects from concept to market.

What is the difference between Food Product Development Internship vs Food Product Development Coordinator?

AspectFood Product Development InternshipFood Product Development Coordinator
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in food science, nutrition, or related fieldBachelor's degree in food science, culinary arts, or related field; some experience preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship setting within food companies, labs, or R&D departmentsFull-time role in food companies, overseeing product development projects
ResponsibilitiesAssisting in product testing, research, and documentationManaging product development processes, coordinating teams, and ensuring project timelines

The Food Product Development Internship is an entry-level position designed for students or recent graduates gaining hands-on experience. In contrast, the Food Product Development Coordinator is a full-time professional role with greater responsibilities in managing product projects. Both roles are essential in the food industry, but they differ mainly in experience level and scope of duties.

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Food Product Development Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Product Development Internship job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,083 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

Food Product Development Scientist

Mishawaka, IN • On-site

United Petfood Producers USA Inc.
See more jobs at United Petfood Producers USA Inc.external

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Entry-Level Nutritionist

Location: Mishawaka, IN

Department: Procurement

Reports to: Quality Manager

Job Type: Full-time

About United Petfood:

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US. 

Joining us, means joining an international, passionate and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there: we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a spot in which you can grow, bloom and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!

Job Summary:

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Entry-Level Nutritionist to join our team. This individual will support the development and implementation of nutrition programs and strategies, with a focus on optimizing the health and performance of pets. The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in the feed industry and possess a solid foundation in nutritional science.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Nutritional Analysis: Assist in analyzing and evaluating the nutritional content of feed ingredients and formulations to ensure they meet the required standards.
  • Product Development: Support the development of new pet food products and formulations, ensuring they are nutritionally balanced and meet market demands as well as AAFCO regulations. 
  • Research and Data Collection: Conduct research on nutritional trends, new ingredients, and innovations in the pet food industry. Collect and analyze data to support nutrition projects.
  • Quality Control: Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of pet food quality to ensure compliance with nutritional standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Technical Support: Provide technical support to sales and marketing teams by preparing nutritional information and answering customer queries.
  • Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of nutritional data, formulations, and research findings. Prepare reports and presentations as required.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, including production, and quality assurance, to support the implementation of nutrition programs and initiatives.
  • Field Support: Participate in field visits and trials to monitor the performance of pet food products and gather feedback from customers and stakeholders.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Food Science, or a related field.
  • Basic understanding of animal nutrition principles and feed formulation.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience or internship in the feed or pet food industry.
  • Familiarity with pet food formulation software.
  • Knowledge of pet food manufacturing processes and quality control standards.
  • Understanding of regulatory requirements related to animal feed.
  • Strong interest in ongoing learning and professional development in the field of animal nutrition.

Working Conditions:

  • Full-time position with occasional travel to production facilities, research sites, and customer locations.
  • Work primarily in an office setting with some fieldwork and laboratory activities.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.