Product Development Intern

ABOUT KATE FARMS

Kate Farms is a company with heart. Our company was founded on the belief that good nutrition leads to good health, and good health opens the door to endless possibilities. That’s why our mission is to make nutrition the cornerstone of healthcare so people can live their best lives. We are a medical food company that makes complete nutrition formulas for people who have a medical need for liquid nutrition. 

 Kate Farms works to be the place where a diverse mix of talented individuals want to come, stay, and do their best work. Ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other is at the core of Kate Farms’ values. We are an equal-opportunity employer and fully focused on equality; we believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different. We invite you to do the best work of your life with us at Kate Farms.

POSITION OVERVIEW

 Kate Farms creates products for both the medical and retail space. The Product Development Intern position is three months long with the potential to extend up to one year with potential for full-time employment. The intern will gain hands-on experience in the industry while working on critical projects in various stages from concept to commercialization. The intern will have an opportunity to use the in-house pilot plant to further extend learning. We are a hard-working, detail-oriented team looking for someone with a "roll up your sleeves" attitude, a collaborative spirit, and an interest in streamlining processes and procedures for Product Developers.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES/ WHAT YOU WILL DO

·        The intern will have projects in Product Development and Research:

o   Product Development – projects focus on formulation to create new or improve existing products.

o   Research - projects consist of topics related to technology development to enhance existing products or investigate new ingredients.

·        Other assignments as needed, which may include:

o   Perform bench-scale trials including weighing, mixing, heating, filling, and putting finished products into inventory.

o   Analyze finished products from multiple production locations for physical, sensorial, and potentially some chemical analyses.

o   Coordinate product testing with the Quality Department.

o   Update/maintain a nutritional database.

o   General laboratory organization, keeping inventory of raw materials on hand, and working with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of necessary materials.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

·        Strong commitment to company mission and values.

·        Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

·        Respectfully shares and accepts feedback willingly from all levels of the organization.

·        Self-motivated and able to think independently and to work with minimal supervision.

·        Ability to work flexible hours.

·        Written and oral communication skills in the English language.

·        Strong Excel and math skills.

·        Exceptional attention to detail.

·        Desire to work in the food industry and interest in developing problem-solving and analytical skills in a real-life research and development environment.

·        Recent graduate or pursuing a BS or MS degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or other related degree.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Effectively handle lifting of various objects weighing up to 30 pounds.

While performing the essential functions of the job, the employee will be required to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb stairs.

Possess the ability to sit at a computer for extended periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

This position will be in the Goleta corporate office. May require some additional travel.

It is Kate Farms policy that any position that requires regular interaction with healthcare

professionals require that, if hired, you be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless you need a reasonable accommodation due to sincerely held religious beliefs, medical needs, or other reasons protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.