R&D Contract Manufacturing Internship
At Milk Specialties Global, our focus is to create high-quality ingredients designed to optimize health and nutrition. We are passionate and dedicated people. Each day, we collectively explore new, innovative ways to enhance product performance and value through our broad human and animal nutrition portfolios. The human nutrition division focuses on industry leading whey and milk protein isolates, concentrates, and hydrolysates. The animal nutrition division is a leading supplier of functional fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Both divisions are backed by the speed, execution and passion it takes to exceed the expectation of our customers. We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance as well as a healthy 401(k) company match program.
The R&D Extrusion Intern will assist in commercializing new process and products in production sites and optimizing them, specifically for extruded products. The internship will aid in product quality, process yield, and efficiency by utilizing statistical analysis, root cause analysis, design of experiments, and CI principles.
Essential Functions:
- Conceive and plan commercialization projects, in collaboration with R&D, QA and manufacturing team, involving major production activities (plant tests and commercialization of new products), exploration of product and/or process problems, definition and selection of new concepts and approaches in manufacturing operations.
- Aid in new ingredient development projects.
- Complete plant trials to support all corporate strategies and initiatives utilizing the plant trial database process and procedures.
- Supporting the applications team with ingredient processing trials.
- Work with employees to identify and scope new process improvement opportunities in the areas of quality, cost, performance and preventative/predictive maintenance.
- Develop projects to eliminate waste and streamline the manufacturing flow.
- Identify, research, and adapt machine and equipment design to accommodate factory and production improvements.
- Aid in projects with significant productivity and cost reduction impacts. Areas of focus are overall yield, waste reduction, chemical usage, and CIP optimization.
- Study and improve manufacturing processes, procedures, and sequence of operations aimed at lowering manufacturing costs.
- Aid in creating, implementing, and maintaining Standard Work for all production areas.
- Conduct time studies for time standard development, plant and process layout, optimizing product flow, equipment and labor utilization. Create an understanding of material flow and design optimized layouts.
- Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Position Requirements:
- Working towards a degree in food science, dairy science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or biology.
- Demonstrates high attention to detail, hands-on mind-set, effective time management, proactive disposition and be a flexible team player.
- Strong leadership with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment across functions and all levels of management.
- Self-motivated, proactive individual who will constantly seek improvement opportunities.
- Confident problem solver with quick decision-making capability.
- A strong working knowledge of food science and food processing.
- Problem identification and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and initiative, ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Proficient Windows skills (Excel, Word, etc.)