Product Development & Food Processing Assistant / Intern

Job Description

Product Development & Food Processing Assistant / Intern | Golden State Foods

The Tone:
This is an internship at Golden State Foods, a distinguished leader in the food service sector. Golden State Foods prides itself on delivering an extensive and innovative array of products and services to a diverse clientele worldwide, built upon values of quality, integrity, and fostering an empowering atmosphere. This hands-on role is crucial for our innovation team, designed to immerse you in real-world food processing and product development by applying foundational classroom knowledge. You will gain invaluable practical experience, contribute to tangible projects, and lay a robust foundation for a career in food science or culinary arts.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Team: Product Development (PD) team, reporting to a PD mentor
• Mission: Apply foundational knowledge to real-world food processing and product development, specifically focusing on the manufacturing of liquid sauces and dressing-type products.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Protocol Implementation: Collaborate with a PD mentor to learn and implement basic lab protocols, best practices, and standard operating procedures, ensuring scientific rigor and safety.
• Product Creation: Engage directly in the precise weighing and preparation of various liquid food products, including sauces, dressings, sandwich spreads, shakes, and smoothie syrups as assigned.
• Data Recording: Meticulously maintain accurate records and comprehensive documentation for all product tests, precisely measuring and recording critical parameters like viscosity, Brix, water activity, and yields.
• Presentation Support: Work alongside the Corporate Chef to contribute to the preparation and execution of internal customer presentations, gaining exposure to culinary artistry and professional communication.
• Product Development Project: Undertake a full-cycle project to research, ideate, and develop a novel product for a mock customer, including supporting materials such as menu gap analyses and a professional oral and visual presentation.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Early career individual who has successfully completed at least one year of college-level education.
• Experience: Foundational knowledge acquired through at least one year of college-level study, demonstrating readiness to apply academic principles to practical food processing and product development scenarios.
• Skills: Ability to learn and apply scientific lab protocols and safety standards; strong attention to detail for precise measurement, weighing, and data recording; fundamental understanding of quantitative parameters (e.g., viscosity, Brix, water activity); basic culinary preparation and presentation support capabilities; and developing research, ideation, and presentation skills.