Continuous Improvement Internship

KLN Family Brands; Perham (MN); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

KLN Family Brands/Tuffy’s Pet Foods is seeking a Continuous Improvement Intern for the summer of 2027 in Perham, MN. The role focuses on identifying opportunities across departments, leading improvement projects, and applying lean manufacturing principles.

You will work closely with the Continuous Improvement Manager, participate in tier meetings, and present outcomes to leadership. Must be a junior in college in Industrial/Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering and available for 10–12 weeks

Qualifications

• Junior in college pursuing a degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechanical Engineering.
• 10–12 weeks summer internship period.
• On-site at Perham, MN facility.
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Able to work in a team atmosphere.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with employees across multiple departments to identify improvement opportunities and support operational excellence.
• Attend and participate in tier meetings throughout the day.
• Support and lead continuous improvement projects including Just Do It (JDI) initiatives and data collection efforts.
• Participate in meetings, training sessions, and cross-functional projects supporting strategic initiatives.
• Lead and complete a meaningful improvement project addressing a business need.
• Projects may focus on waste reduction, cost savings, process optimization, 5S, equipment support, or data analysis.
• Present project results and measurable outcomes to business leaders at internship conclusion.

Skills

Project management

Lean manufacturing

Data analysis

Root cause analysis

Teamwork

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Junior in college (Industrial/Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering)

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Office Tuffy's Pet Foods, Perham, MN, US

Internship

KLN Family Brands/Tuffy's Pet Foods

College Juniors and Seniors…We’re looking for you!

OurStory

KLN Family Brands is a 3 rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.

At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company. We are successful because of trust-based relationships, and first-rate products for our families and friends. We better the world by caring for others. We challenge. We grow. We inspire.”

Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little. Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves. That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do. We tell the story of our brand – our people, the quality & safety of our products, our tradition & trust, our bold innovation, and the way we treat our community & beyond. We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company.

We’re looking for a Continuous Improvement Intern for the summer of 2027 that is serious about a career in manufacturing. If you are willing to learn from the best and have a desire to participate in the growth of some of the fastest growing brands in the pet food industry, you’ve stumbled upon the right job.

The Opportunity

As a Continuous ImprovementIntern, you’ll work closely with our Continuous Improvement Manager and various other team members.

Daily Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with employees across multiple departments to identify improvement opportunities, solve problems, and support operational excellence initiatives while maintaining food safety practices
• Attend and participate in tier meetings throughout the day
• Support and lead continuous improvement projects, including Just Do It (JDI) initiatives, data collection efforts, process improvement activities, and operational excellence projects identified through tier meetings and business priorities
• Participate in meetings, training sessions, and cross-functional projects that support strategic business initiatives and continuous improvement objectives
• Lead and complete a meaningful improvement project that addresses a business need
• Projects may focus on waste reduction, cost savings, process optimization, workplace organization (5S), equipment implementation support, operational data analysis, or other strategic improvement opportunities
• Present project results, recommendations, and measurable outcomes to business leaders at the conclusion of the internship

You Will Learn Things Like:

• Innovation and creativity
• Project management, timeline ownership, and follow-through
• Goal setting, KPI, and performance measurement
• Data collection, analysis, and business case development
• Root cause analysis and structured problem solving
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles
• Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement
• Oral and written communication
• Teamwork and leadership

What You’ll Need to Be Successful at KLN Family Brands/Tuffy’s Pet Foods :

• At least a Junior in college pursuing a degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechanical Engineering
• The ability to dedicate 10-12 weeks to the internship program for the summer of 2027
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn
• The ability to work in a team atmosphere and be a great co-worker
• The ability to work on-site at our Perham, MN facility for the summer

Compensation

The starting hourly rate of pay is $17.94 and will be a percentage of industry standards based on typical full-time starting salaries, and will depend on your year in school and timeline to graduation.

Potential

Interns who demonstrate exceptional performance and a passion for our business may have the opportunity for full-time employment upon graduation.