Operations Planning Internship

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

Job summary

KLN Family Brands/Kenny’s Candy & Confections is seeking an Operations Planning Intern for Summer 2027 at our Perham, MN facility. Open to college juniors and seniors pursuing operations-related degrees, the role offers hands-on experience in routing, scheduling, and process improvement within a growing confectionery environment.

You’ll work with the Operations Planning Manager and our team on-site for 10–12 weeks, with pay at $17.94 per hour.

Qualifications

• Junior in college pursuing a degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Available for a 10–12 week summer internship in Perham, MN.
• On-site work at KLN Family Brands facility.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and evaluate routing processes and scheduling sequences for efficiency.
• Collaborate with teams to identify trends and improve operations.
• Support unique projects to automate sample requests and optimize routing.
• Learn KPI measurement, problem solving, and teamwork in a confectionery setting.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Oral and written communication

Teamwork and leadership

Education

Junior college student pursuing Operations Management / Supply Chain / Logistics / Project Management / Business Administration

Job description

Internship

KLN Family Brands/Kenny’s Candy & Confections

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

Our Story

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.

Operations Planning

Internship

KLN Family Brands/Kenny’s Candy & Confections

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

Our Story

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.”

We’re looking for an Operations Planning Intern for the summer of 2027 that is serious about a career in food manufacturing, specifically within the confectionary industry. 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 confectionary industry, you’ve stumbled upon the right job.

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.

The Opportunity

As an Operations Planning Intern, you’ll work closely with our Operations Planning Manager and the entire operations team.

Daily Duties And Responsibilities

• Analyze and evaluate current routing processes
• Review and assess current scheduling sequences for efficiency and effectiveness
• Analyze historical and current customer minimum requirements
• Collaborate closely with the sampling team to identify trends, gain operational insight, and improve processes

Unique Projects

• Automate sample requests and shipping
• Evaluate and refine customer minimum requirements
• Optimize routing strategies to improve overall utility, efficiency, and resource utilization

You Will Learn Things Like

• Innovation and creativity
• Goal setting and KPI measurement
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Oral and written communication
• Teamwork and leadership

What You’ll Need to Be Successful at KLN Family Brands/Kenny’s Candy & Confections:

• At least a Junior in college pursuing a degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field
• 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.