R&D Food Technologist Internship

  • Internship
  • Perham

KLN Family Brands

Job Description

Job Description

R&D Food Technologist Internship


KLN Family Brands/Kenny’s Candy & Confections


College Juniors and Seniors…We’re looking for you!



Our Story

KLN Family Brands is a 3rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.



At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company. We are successful because of trust-based relationships, and first-rate products for our families and friends. We better the world by caring for others. We challenge. We grow. We inspire.”



Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little. Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves. That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do. We tell the story of our brand – our people, the quality & safety of our products, our tradition & trust, our bold innovation, and the way we treat our community & beyond. We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company.

We’re looking for an R&D Food Technologist Intern for the summer of 2025 that is serious about a career in food manufacturing, specifically within the confectionary industry. If you are willing to learn from the best and have a desire to participate in the growth of some of the fastest growing brands in the confectionary industry, you’ve stumbled upon the right job.



The Opportunity

As an R&D Food Technologist Intern, you’ll work closely with our R&D team and the entire operations team.

Daily Duties and Responsibilities:


  • Benchtop samples
  • Supplier requests
  • Line trials
  • Data collection and data analysis

Processing Related Project:


  • Create samples using different processing methods to understand different quality characteristics

You Will Learn Things Like:

  • Innovation and creativity
  • Goal setting and KPI measurement
  • Analytical and critical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Oral and written communication
  • Teamwork and leadership

What You’ll Need to be Successful at KLN Family Brands/Kenny’s Candy & Confections:


  • At least a Junior in college pursuing a degree in Food Science or a related field
    1. Having a focus on candy and confections is encouraged

  • The ability to dedicate 10-12 weeks to the internship program for the summer of 2025
  • A positive attitude and willingness to learn
  • The ability to work in a team atmosphere and be a great co-worker
  • The ability to work on-site at our Perham, MN facility for the summer

Interns who demonstrate exceptional performance and a passion for our business may have the opportunity for full-time employment upon graduation.

Pay for this position will be a percentage of industry standards based on typical full-time starting salaries, and will depend on your year in school and your timeline to graduation.