Food Quality Intern

Ingredion Incorporated; South Sioux City (NE); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Capstone Summit

Mentor program

Inclusion & Belonging programs

Employee discounts

Job summary

Ingredion Incorporated is seeking a Food Quality Intern for Summer 2026 in South Sioux City, Nebraska. You will support the Quality team with food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance in a manufacturing environment.

You will gain hands-on experience in laboratory testing, process audits, and CAPA initiatives while collaborating with cross‑functional teams to improve quality and compliance. This internship offers mentorship, training, and exposure to global ingredients.

Qualifications

• Progress toward a Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field.
• Interest in food quality, safety, or manufacturing operations.
• Strong analytical and written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work safely in manufacturing and laboratory environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist with routine quality and food safety testing of raw materials, in‑process products, and finished goods.
• Support quality investigations by collecting, analyzing, and documenting data related to product quality and process performance.
• Participate in facility audits, inspections, and food safety assessments.
• Collaborate with production and laboratory teams to identify opportunities for product quality and process improvement.
• Review and maintain quality documentation, records, and reports in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in tracking quality metrics and preparing summaries for management review.

Skills

Analytical

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Communication

Office suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Food Quality Intern

About Ingredion

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you've experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet's food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you're just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

Location: South Sioux City, Nebraska • Workplace Type: On-Site

We have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious student to join our Quality team for Summer 2026! As the Food Quality Intern, you will support the Quality team in maintaining Ingredion's high standards for food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance. You will gain hands‑on experience in a food manufacturing environment while assisting with quality assurance programs, laboratory testing, process audits, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role offers a unique opportunity to learn how quality systems support the production of safe, high‑quality ingredients used by customers around the world.

What you will do:

• Assist with routine quality and food safety testing of raw materials, in‑process products, and finished goods.
• Support quality investigations by collecting, analyzing, and documenting data related to product quality and process performance.
• Participate in facility audits, inspections, and food safety assessments.
• Collaborate with production and laboratory teams to identify opportunities for product quality and process improvement.
• Review and maintain quality documentation, records, and reports in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in tracking quality metrics and preparing summaries for management review.
• Support implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) related to quality and food safety issues.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation procedures, and food safety protocols at all times.
• Present internship project findings and recommendations to plant leadership at the completion of the internship.

What you will bring:

• Progress toward a Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, or a related field.
• Interest in food quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, or manufacturing operations.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work safely in a manufacturing and laboratory environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams.
• Reliable transportation required to get to and from the facility each workday.

Who you are: Eager to explore a career in food quality, food safety, or manufacturing. Detail‑oriented with a commitment to accuracy and compliance. Curious and motivated to learn in a fast‑paced production environment. A collaborative team player who enjoys working with diverse groups. A proactive problem‑solver with a continuous improvement mindset. Passionate about delivering safe, high‑quality products to customers.

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must:

• Currently possess unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.
• Ingredion does not intend to sponsor work visas with respect to this position or to provide this position as OPT or CPT.
• Be a currently enrolled student in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program.
• If currently enrolled in undergraduate status, have completed at least two years of coursework and hold sophomore, junior, or non‑graduating senior status.
• Be available to work full‑time during the internship period.
• If you have completed your degree, please consider other opportunities with Ingredion, posted at www.ingredion.com/careers.

Why Join Ingredion?

• Total Rewards Package – Competitive hourly pay based on your degree program.
• Housing stipends may be available to students relocating 51+ miles from the Ingredion work location.
• Internship Program Events & Activities – Programming focused on career exploration, networking, and professional development, including the annual Capstone Summit at Ingredion Headquarters in Westchester, Illinois.
• Intern Coaching Program – Paired with a mentor to support your professional development and integration into Ingredion's culture.
• Involvement in Ingredion's Business Resource Groups – Contribute to the organization's Inclusion & Belonging strategy while building meaningful connections.
• Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation with personalized recognition rewards.
• Employee Discount Program – Exclusive discounts on everyday products, services, and travel.
• Hands‑on Manufacturing Experience – Gain practical exposure to food safety, quality systems, laboratory testing, and continuous improvement within a global food ingredient company.
• #wayup #Internship #FoodQuality #QualityAssurance #FoodSafety #SouthSiouxCity #IngredionCareers #LI-Onsite

Pay Range: $22-26 USD/hr

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Relocation Available: Yes, Within Region

This pay rate is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Benefits: Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with a competitive company match.

Ingredion is a leading global, plant-based ingredients solutions company.

We make sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients and biomaterials that are used by customers in everyday products from foods and beverages to paper and pharmaceuticals.

At Ingredion, we embrace possibilities and inspire each other to think big.

Together, we are reimagining how we can make life better through our differentiated ingredients and innovative solutions.

We share an inspiring purpose — to make life better, for our colleagues, our customers, our communities, and the world.

We belong to a culture of bold innovators, of people who believe that their skills, creativity, and passion can deliver solutions that can enhance people’s lives.

We create what's next, transforming our imagination into innovation.

We have a welcoming and collaborative environment to build and grow a career in a multinational company.

Here, everyone can be their authentic selves and be part of a community of talented and caring people, interacting with professionals around the world, made up of varied backgrounds, cultures and industries.

We are encouraged to think differently and innovate through collaboration and experimentation.

We are constantly imagining new ways to bring value to our customers, through new ingredients, solutions, and ways of working.