Quality Summer Intern – 2026

February 16, 2026
$20 / hour

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Job Description

Quality Summer Internship Program – 2026

About Kerry: Nourish Your Future.

At Kerry, we are passionately obsessed with food and committed to an ambitious goal: to provide 2 billion people access to more sustainable nutrition. This isn’t a ‘typical’ program, because we believe you’re not a typical student.

If you’re seeking real responsibility and exposure to meaningful projects around the world, and if you possess an open and flexible approach, then a career at Kerry could be the right path for you. The world demands more nutritious, tastier, and sustainably produced food, and we pride ourselves on helping our customers make better food, in a better way, for a better future. If you want to help solve the critical food challenges of our time, we invite you to apply.

The Opportunity: 11-Week Summer Internship Program

Join Kerry’s dynamic team for an immersive 11-week summer internship program where you will gain hands-on experience in real, impactful roles within the ever-growing food industry. This program is designed to provide comprehensive learning and development opportunities.

Program Dates: June 1, 2026 – August 14, 2026

About the Role: Quality, Health, Safety & Environmental (QHSE) Internship

Kerry is deeply committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. We are dedicated to producing safe, high-quality food products that consistently satisfy customer needs while complying with all applicable regulatory requirements. Furthermore, Kerry is committed to conducting all aspects of its business in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. The Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) function is pivotal in enabling and supporting the delivery of these critical commitments.

We are offering two plant-level Quality Intern positions for the 2026 cohort:

  • Manitowoc, WI
  • Sturtevant, WI

Key Responsibilities:

  • Actively job shadow and collaborate with experienced employees across various functional teams.
  • Contribute to this plant-level role by focusing on ensuring that plant production processes deliver optimal quality food products for our customers.
  • Provide support for oversight of quality control measures, including conducting audits and ensuring strict compliance with paramount food safety standards such as HACCP and GMP.
  • Actively embody and promote the core Kerry values of Courage, Ownership, Inclusiveness, Open-mindedness, and Enterprising Spirit.

Qualifications & Skills:

  • Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited college or university in a relevant field such as Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or an Engineering-related discipline.
  • Anticipated graduation date between December 2026 – May 2027.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships and communicate effectively across all levels of an organization.
  • Legal Authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Please note: Sponsorships will not be provided for early career roles now or in the future.
  • Proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
  • All candidates must be geographically flexible and willing to relocate for this internship opportunity.
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Strong problem-solving ability and a proactive approach to challenges.
  • Possession of strong technical skills pertinent to the field.

Desired Competencies:

  • Hands-on, with a practical and results-oriented mindset.
  • Flexible & resilient, demonstrating openness to feedback and adaptability.
  • Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams.
  • Highly responsible for assigned work with excellent communication skills.

Compensation:

The starting hourly wage for this internship position is $20.00 per hour. Actual offers may vary based on several factors including, but not limited to, education, relevant work experience, certifications, and location.

Application Process & Key Dates:

Kerry is accepting applications on a continuous basis until the 2026 cohort is full. The estimated application expiration date is April 1, 2026.

We may utilize artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. Please be assured that we do not use AI to make final hiring decisions; all candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams.

Equal Opportunity Employer & Legal Authorization:

Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening.

Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen.

Additional information regarding workplace discrimination can be found at Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).

Sponsorships will not be provided for this early career role now or in the future.