Product R&D Intern (Summer 2027)

Post Holdings, Inc.; Lakeville (MN); On-site; USD 17,909,000 - 20,664,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Housing assistance

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Networking events

Job summary

Post Consumer Brands, headquartered in Lakeville, MN, seeks an R&D Intern for a 13-week Summer 2027 program. You will collaborate with scientists, engineers, and cross‑functional partners to support product innovation, development, testing, pilot plant trials, and commercialization across cereal, peanut butter, and pet food.

You will gain hands-on experience in product development, testing, and manufacturing while building technical and professional skills for a career in R&D, with opportunities

Qualifications

• Pursuing BS or MS in Food Science, Chemical Eng, Biological/Biosystems Eng, or related field with a graduation date Dec 2027, Spring 2028, or Summer 2028.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Willing to travel to manufacturing facilities as needed.
• Prior lab, research, manufacturing, or internship experience preferred.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Interest in CPG/manufacturing and Post after graduation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support product innovation and renovation projects from concept through commercialization.
• Design and execute laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing trials to evaluate products, ingredients, and processes.
• Analyze data and manufacturing performance to identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, and product performance.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support product development, scale-up activities, and manufacturing implementation.

Skills

Analytical

Problem-solving

Communication

Teamwork

Independence

Education

Food Science or related field

Job description

Business Unit Overview

Headquartered in Lakeville, Minn., Post Consumer Brands, a business unit of Post Holdings, Inc., is dedicated to providing people and their pets with delicious food choices for every taste and budget. The company's portfolio includes beloved brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats™, PEBBLES™, Grape-Nuts™ and Malt-O-Meal™ cereal and Peter Pan™ peanut butter, as well as Rachael Ray® Nutrish™, Kibbles 'n Bits™ and 9Lives™ dog and cat food. Post also provides private label solutions to customers in pet food, cereal, nut butters and granola. As a company committed to high standards of quality and to our values, we are driven by one idea: To make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all. For more information about our brands, visit www.postconsumerbrands.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook for the latest news.

Location Description

Post Consumer Brands corporate headquarters in Lakeville, Minnesota, is about 20 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Lakeville has all the benefits of smaller town living with access to everything a large metropolitan area has to offer. Join more than 400 team members collaborating on the two-building campus to help put breakfast on the tables of millions of consumers in North America.

Responsibilities

Launch your career with one of the nation's leading consumer packaged goods companies.

Interested in developing innovative food and pet food products that consumers love? Looking to gain hands‑on experience in research, product development, and manufacturing within a dynamic consumer packaged goods organization? Post Consumer Brands is seeking an R&D Intern to join our team for a 13-week internship during Summer 2027.

As an intern, you'll work alongside scientists, engineers, and cross‑functional partners to support product innovation, product improvement, and manufacturing initiatives across our cereal, peanut butter, and pet food businesses. You'll gain experience in product development, testing, pilot plant trials, and commercialization while building the technical and professional skills needed for a successful career in Research & Development.

Join us in delivering our purpose: To make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all.

What You'll Do

As a member of our Research & Development team, you'll help bring new products and product improvements to life. Depending on business needs and your interests, you may have opportunities to:

• Support product innovation and renovation projects from concept through commercialization
• Design and execute laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing trials to evaluate products, ingredients, and processes
• Analyze data and manufacturing performance to identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, and product performance
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to support product development, scale‑up activities, and manufacturing implementation

Specific projects are determined prior to the internship based on business needs and intern interests.

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Biological/Biosystems Engineering, or a related field, with a graduation date of December 2027, Spring 2028, or Summer 2028
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and teamwork skills with an interest in product development, innovation, and manufacturing
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment, including occasional travel to manufacturing facilities for product and process testing
• Previous laboratory, research, manufacturing, or internship experience is preferred
• Interest in the consumer‑packaged goods/manufacturing industry and the desire to start a career with Post Consumer Brands after graduation is strongly preferred
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship

Additional Program Information & Perks

• Competitive compensation, subsidized housing, and relocation assistance for eligible students
• Access to professional development, networking, and social activities throughout the internship
• Exposure to R&D leaders and cross‑functional teams, with the opportunity to be considered for future full‑time opportunities upon graduation
• Free cereal, oatmeal, milk, coffee, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow interns and teammates

Compensation for this role is $25.00 per hour.

This role will be posted until October 4, 2026.