Food Quality Intern
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?
Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:
- 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.
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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.
Ingredion uses AI-enabled tools to support parts of the recruitment process, including resume screening and interview scheduling. These tools help match candidate skills to job requirements and streamline communication. All AI-assisted decisions are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team to ensure fairness and compliance with applicable laws. By applying, you acknowledge that AI may be used to support your application journey.
Relocation Available:
Yes, Within RegionThis 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 .