R&D Packaging Intern

Balconi - Valeo Foods Group; Nerviano; On-site; EUR 8,100 - 9,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal vouchers

Stipend 800 EUR monthly

Job summary

Balconi - Valeo Foods Group is seeking a motivated R&D Packaging Intern to support packaging innovation, sustainability projects, specification management, testing, and implementation across our Italian manufacturing network.

You will collaborate with R&D, Operations, Marketing, Procurement, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to drive packaging development and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Food Technology, Food Engineering or related field.
• Strong interest in packaging development, materials and sustainability.
• Basic knowledge of packaging materials (paper, plastic, glass, metal and flexible packaging).
• Good analytical and data management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proactive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional and international teams.
• Good command of English (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Develop, review and finalize packaging specifications across Italian manufacturing facilities.
• Support development of special packaging projects including limited editions and new formats.
• Contribute to palletization studies and logistics efficiency improvements.
• Draft packaging guidelines and project management workflows with sustainability focus.
• Create packaging specifications and support material coding activities.
• Participate in pilot projects related to Life Cycle Assessment and sustainability plans.
• Assist in planning and coordinating industrial and experimental trials for new materials and suppliers.
• Help develop validation protocols, testing procedures and manufacturing guidelines.
• Consolidate data on European packaging regulations and trends.
• Support packaging solutions in response to Marketing and Innovation briefs.
• Monitor packaging market trends and emerging innovations.
• Provide technical support to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Contribute to packaging optimization for waste reduction and cost savings.

Skills

Packaging development

Sustainability

Data management

Excel

PowerPoint

Cross-functional teamwork

English communication

Education

Master’s in Food Technology or Food Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

We are looking for a motivated and curious R&D Packaging Intern to join our team. The intern will support packaging innovation, sustainability projects, specification management, testing activities, and industrial implementation across our Italian manufacturing network.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in packaging development within a dynamic international food company, working closely with R&D, Operations, Marketing, Procurement, Quality, and Supply Chain teams.

Key Responsibilities

The intern will support the team in the following activities:

• Development, review and finalization of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging specifications across the Italian manufacturing facilities.
• Support the development of special packaging projects, including limited editions, promotional packs and strategic new formats.
• Contribute to finished product palletization studies, optimization projects and logistics efficiency improvements.
• Assist in the creation of packaging guidelines and project management workflows with a focus on sustainability, lean design principles and quality requirements.
• Draft packaging specifications and support packaging material coding activities.
• Participate in pilot projects related to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and packaging sustainability action plans.
• Support the planning, execution and coordination of industrial and experimental trials aimed at qualifying new materials and suppliers.
• Help develop validation protocols, testing procedures and technical guidelines for manufacturing sites.
• Collect, analyze and consolidate data related to emerging European packaging and sustainability regulations.
• Support the development of packaging solutions in response to Marketing and Innovation briefs.
• Monitor packaging market trends, technological developments and emerging innovations.
• Provide technical support to cross-functional stakeholders including Operations, Procurement, Quality, Marketing and Sales.
• Contribute to packaging optimization initiatives focused on waste reduction, cost savings, efficiency improvements and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Analyze packaging performance data and prepare technical reports and presentations.

Requirements

• Degree completed or currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Food Technology, Food Engineering or related scientific disciplines
• Strong interest in packaging development, materials and sustainability.
• Basic knowledge of packaging materials (paper, plastic, glass, metal and flexible packaging).
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and quality principles.
• Good analytical and data management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proactive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively within cross‑functional and international teams.
• Good command of English (written and spoken).

What We Offer

• Hands‑on experience in packaging development and innovation projects.
• Exposure to an international FMCG environment.
• Opportunity to work on sustainability and packaging transformation initiatives.
• Collaborati on with multidisciplinary teams across R&D, Operations, Marketing and Procurement.
• Professional development and learning opportunities within a dynamic and growing organization.
• 6 months internship with monthly reimburse of 800 euros + ticket restaurants.