Food Safety & Quality Intern

Description

We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable and transparent supply. Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

Position Summary

OFI’s internship program is a great way to gain the relevant experience needed to jump start your career. Here at OFI this role will work closely with exceptional talent building on OFI’s purpose to “Be the Change for Good Food and a Healthy Future”. As part of the program, you will have opportunities to learn and contribute to what’s on trend in food & beverage, build a robust network, demonstrate leadership skills, and have some fun.

As a 2024 summer intern, you will have an opportunity to lead and contribute to critical work for the business.

Reporting to the Quality and Food Safety Manager, the QA/FS Intern will learn about the spice industry including spice processing, food safety, and product development work. They will acquire this knowledge by supporting the Innovation Team while completing an estimated 10-12-week summer project. The project will focus on the ins and outs of food safety and quality decision-making based on risk assessments.

This intern will present their findings to the Innovation Team and the Summer 2024 Intern Cohort at the completion of the internship.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with a high level of curiosity, initiative and resourcefulness. They should work well within a team and be open to direction and feedback.

Reporting to Quality and Food Safety Manager, the Quality and Food Safety Intern will possess the ability to work effectively while ensuring attention to detail and deliverables are met will be required for successful completion of this internship.

Position Responsibilities

• Assist in conducting routine inspections and audits of production facilities to ensure compliance with quality and food safety standards that meet the USDA, FDA, GFSI, Organic, gluten free and other regulatory bodies.
• Collect and analyze samples from various stages of production to monitor the quality and safety are being held to the highest company set standard.
• Learn and perform the tests on raw materials, in process products and finished goods to ensure the goods are meeting established specifications.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of inspection results, test data, and other quality related documentation.
• Prepare reports on data collected in the quality control activities and assist in identifying areas for improvement.
• Analyzing SPC (Statistical Process Control) to turn defects into reduced costs, efficient controls, to more efficient run times.
• Support the implementation of food safety program such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).
• Participate in RCA’s (root cause analysis) and CAPA (corrective action, preventative action) plans to address quality deviations or short comings.
• Support quality improvement initiatives and projects to enhance product quality and safety.
• Work closely with other departments to ensure that quality and food safety standards are consistently met.
• Assist in training the employees on quality and food safety standards and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required

Position Requirements

• Current academic standing of a Junior or Senior at an accredited college or university and working toward a bachelor’s degree in food science, Agriculture, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or related field is required. Will also consider those working towards an M.S., or Ph.D. degree in similar degreed.
• Grade point average overall minimum of 3.0/4.0 and 3.25 within major.
• A firm knowledge of engineering, chemistry or biology with the ability to apply this knowledge to food systems is required.
• The ability to work effectively within a fast-paced environment is required.
• Proven record of being a self-starter with a high degree of curiosity, initiative, and resourcefulness is required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook, is a plus.
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team is required.
• The ability to effectively utilize problem-solving skills is required.
  
  

Preferred

• Interest in product / process development, food manufacturing.
• Experience working in a laboratory environment.
• Ability to perform data analysis.
• Prior exposure to and/or familiarity with food science and processing concepts
  
  

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us for support at: US-Talent.Acquisition@ofi.com

At ofi, we celebrate our diversity. Olam Americas LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.