Food Safety, Quality And Regulatory Internship

Job Description

About Company

Cargill is a global company with significant size and scale, dedicated to making a positive impact in the world. Its core purpose is to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. As a family company, Cargill provides a wide range of vital products and solutions, including food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products. They act as a crucial link, connecting farmers with markets for prosperity and connecting customers with ingredients for beloved meals. Their reach extends to daily essentials that touch billions of lives, from eggs and edible oils to salt, skincare, feed, and alternative fuel. Cargill operates in 70 countries with a workforce of 160,000 colleagues. The company fosters a vibrant global community that celebrates diversity, evident in its culture and Business Resource Groups (BRGs) like the Asian Alliance Network, Cargill Young Professionals Network, Cargill Ability Network (iCAN), Cargill Ebony Council, Indigenous Peoples Network (IPN), Hispanic-Latino Council, Cargill Pride Network, Veterans & Military Support Network, and Cargill Women’s Network.

Job Description: Food Safety, Quality And Regulatory Internship

This internship program at Cargill is designed to provide students with a career interest in the food industry and a strong scientific academic background with real-world experience. It offers the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge within a food business and manufacturing environment. The program aims to equip interns to learn and collaborate with Cargill business units/functions to deliver solutions to customers, positively impacting food safety, quality, and efficiency initiatives through assigned projects.

Your Internship Experience:

• Real Experience: Gain practical experience in a professional setting.
• Learning: Learn from experienced leaders and access expansive learning resources and curated development courses.
• Impact: See how your work contributes to a global purpose, solving tomorrow’s global issues.
• Community: Be welcomed into a safe learning environment, fostering curiosity, meaningful relationships, and career propulsion.

Exposure Areas:

Interns will gain broad exposure across various manufacturing sectors, including edible oil refining/packaging, protein, and starches/sweeteners. Additionally, the program provides experience with several Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory (FSQR) programs such as:

• Food Safety, HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point), and auditing processes.
• Laboratory & Instrumentation programs.
• Food manufacturing & Pre-requisite programs.
• Product inspection and disposition.
• Supplier and external manufacturing.
• Meaningful project work in related areas.

Your Work (Key Responsibilities):

• Primary Project: Complete a significant project assigned for the summer, contributing to personal and professional development while benefiting the organization.
• Product Approval: Ensure final products meet customer specifications and compliance standards.
• Daily Quality Assessment: Monitor process quality parameters and quality assurance systems, including calibration, raw materials, maintenance, procedures, food safety, training, and auditing.
• Data Analysis: Perform data analysis, identify trends, troubleshoot issues, implement corrective actions, and communicate findings related to processing data, final product, and wastewater.
• Instrumentation: Operate and maintain laboratory, control room, and in-process instrumentation.
• Waste Management: Dispose of hazardous wastes (biological and chemical) appropriately.
• Miscellaneous Duties: Undertake other assigned tasks such as process improvement projects, development and modification of Food Safety and Quality procedures and documents, and assisting other locations with process start-ups and projects.

Our Programming:

• Learning Resources: Access comprehensive learning resources for continuous development.
• Community Outreach: Participate in volunteer and community outreach opportunities, including paid time off for volunteer activities.
• Networking & Development: Engage in events providing exposure to leadership, development opportunities, and networking with cross-functional interns/co-ops across the U.S.

Internship Details:

• Duration: Typically 12 weeks.
• Compensation: Paid hourly for time worked.
• Transportation: Interns are responsible for their own transportation to and from work.
• Future Opportunities: Interns demonstrating outstanding performance and curiosity may be offered an internship, co-op, or full-time position for the following year.

Our Benefits (for Interns):

• Paid time off.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing program.
• Digital Learning Library.
• Housing and Relocation Assistance (for those who qualify).

Compensation:

The expected hourly rate for this position ranges from $20.40 to $28.20. The final compensation decision is based on the intern’s graduation date and their eligibility for full-time employment with Cargill.

Our Network:

Cargill prioritizes intern development through its extensive global network. Interns will establish relationships, acquire mentors, and build professional contacts. The program actively encourages and orchestrates networking opportunities to benefit interns both during the program and in their future careers. Consistent support is provided by university recruiting staff, mentors, colleagues, and supervisors.

Job Locations:

Multiple locations across the U.S.

Required Qualifications:

• Must possess the right to work in the U.S. (not solely based on a student visa or a third-party sponsored visa).
• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a technical science program (Food Science, Animal Science, Meat Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related science degree).
• Must have a graduation date between December 2026 and Summer 2028.
• Ability to complete a 12-week internship in the summer (May/June – August 2026).
• Must be geographically flexible and willing to relocate for an internship opportunity anywhere in the U.S.
• Proven ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Must possess a high degree of initiative and resourcefulness in completing work with limited guidance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
• Basic food safety knowledge, with specific emphasis on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), labeling, food additives, sanitation, and food microbiology.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Experience in applying statistical and quality management tools (e.g., control charts, histograms, capability studies).
• Strong leadership and technical skills.
• Demonstrated ability in collaboration, communication, motivation, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, and successful completion of work.
• Moderate computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, and database navigation).
• Experience applying Continuous Improvement concepts.

Cargill is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Vet.