Product Development Intern - Summer 2026 - La Palma, CA

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INTERN – SUMMER 2026

Marshall, MN   |   La Palma, CA   |   Florence, KY

Schwan’s Company, a U.S. affiliate of the global lifestyle company CJ CheilJedang Corporation, is a leading U.S. manufacturer and marketer of quality foods offered through retail-grocery and food-service channels. Its many popular brands include Red Baron®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Villa Prima™ and Freschetta® pizza; Mrs. Smith’s® and Edwards® desserts; and Pagoda® and Bibigo Asian-style snacks. To learn more about Schwan’s, visit www.schwanscompany.com.

Your Internship Experience:

• Dynamic 12-Week Internship: Dive into a hands-on experience with real-world projects that align with your studies and make a real impact.
• Take Charge of Strategic Projects: Own exciting, high-stakes initiatives with direct relevance to your coursework and gain invaluable experience that goes beyond the classroom.
• Exclusive Access to Leadership: Engage with company executives and senior leaders through frequent interactions that offer unique insights and career inspiration.
• A Culture of Care: Join a company that prioritizes health, safety, and well-being, fostering a supportive environment.
• Guidance from Industry Experts: Receive guidance from skilled, genuine, and good-natured team members who are invested in your success.
• Pathway to a Thriving Career: Build your future with a leading food company where internships often pave the way to full-time roles after graduation.

Your Impact:

• Innovate & Renovate: Partner with Food Scientists to develop new products, enhance existing ones, and identify opportunities to improve processes and efficiencies.
• Experiment & Test: Prepare experimental formulas, processing techniques, and product specifications under guidance, while actively supporting lab and pilot plant test runs.
• Analyze & Document: Collect data, record observations, and ensure accurate documentation of test results to drive informed decision-making.
• Explore Ingredients: Assist in evaluating alternative ingredients that can improve product quality, reduce costs, or strengthen supply resilience.
• Validate Quality: Verify preparation instructions and document product performance, quality, and sensory attributes to ensure consumer satisfaction.
• Research & Benchmark: Conduct literature reviews and competitive product assessments to identify emerging trends, technologies, and innovation opportunities.
• Support Commercialization: Assist in scaling successful prototypes from lab to production, ensuring technical feasibility and compliance with company standards.
• Safety & Compliance: Follow laboratory safety protocols and support adherence to food safety and regulatory requirements throughout development.
• Communicate Insights: Share test findings and recommendations in clear, professional formats (reports, presentations, or demonstrations) for technical and non-technical audiences.

What You Bring:

• Education: Current enrollment in bachelor’s degree Food Science program or related field such as Bakery Science, Meat Science, Dairy Science, or Culinary Science with an anticipated graduation date of December 2026 or May 2027. GPA of 3.0+ preferred. 
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 
  • Foundational understanding of food science or related disciplines, with awareness of product development, food safety, and quality standards.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills with the ability to collect, interpret, and present data.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with lab or statistical software is a plus.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and the ability to clearly document and share results.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, follow laboratory protocols, and meet project timelines.
  • Collaborative mindset with eagerness to learn, adaptability in a fast-paced environment, and the ability to connect technical findings to consumer and business needs.

The employing subsidiaries of Schwan's Company are Equal Employment Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, age, race, color, religion, gender, vet status, national origin, or other protected class.