Opportunity Details

Want to build a stronger, more sustainable future and cultivate your career? Join Cargill’s global team of 160,000 employees who use new technologies, dynamic insights and over 157 years of experience to connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive.

Job Purpose and Impact

Your Internship:
Gain real experience. Learn from the best. See how your work matters.
Our internships are designed to prepare you for your career journey, not a final destination. When you join our team, you are welcomed into a community committed to providing you with a safe environment to learn, grow, and cultivate your skills. With our expansive learning resources, our well-respected leaders, and our carefully curated development courses, you will be equipped to confidently solve tomorrow’s global issues. And, truthfully, our future relies on you. Your innovative minds, your intentional collaboration, and your sincere desire to nourish the world. Your work may be local, but at Cargill, your impact will be global. Join our community to cultivate your curiosity, develop meaningful relationships, and propel your career.

Key Accountabilities

Food Safety, Quality, & Regulatory Internship:
This position is part of Cargill’s Turkey Protein Business and will support a primary production facility in the United States. The Food Safety, Quality, & Regulatory (FSQR) function will provide students who have career interest in the food industry and have scientific-related academic backgrounds, the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a food business and manufacturing environment. The internship program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn and work within Cargill’s Turkey business to provide solutions to customers. Through assigned projects, Interns will have the opportunity to positively impact a number of food safety, quality, and efficiency initiatives.

Your Work:
Our FSQR Interns will experience a broad cross-section of manufacturing as part of Cargill’s Turkey Protein business. In addition, interns will gain exposure to several FSQR programs such as: Food Safety, HACCP, and auditing processes; Laboratory & Instrumentation programs; Food manufacturing & Pre-requisite programs; Product inspection and disposition; supplier and external manufacturing; and meaningful project work in related areas.

Principal Accountabilities:
• Final product approval and assurance of compliance to customer specifications.
• Daily assessment of process quality parameters and quality assurance systems, including calibration, raw materials, maintenance, procedures, food safety, training, and auditing.
• Data analysis, trend identification, troubleshooting, corrective action, and communication with regards to processing data, final product, and wastewater.
• Operate and maintain lab, control room, and in-process instrumentation.
• Dispose of hazardous wastes (biological and chemical).
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned (i.e., Process improvement projects, development and modification of Food Safety and Quality procedures and documents, and assisting other locations with process start-ups and projects).

Work Environment:
• Our FSQR Roles are located in an industrial/processing plant environment. The plant environment is team-based, fast-paced, and hands-on. This position requires a moderate amount of physical exertion on a fairly regular basis. The work may also involve other exertions, conditions, or exposures (i.e. heat, cold, working in a wet environment, etc.).
• Our culture focuses on Safety, Employee Engagement, Inclusion, & Innovation
• Depending on the location, this role may require individuals to work different shifts including 2nd and 3rd shift hours.

Internship Information

Our Programming:
• With comprehensive learning resources at your disposal, you can take your learning in any direction.
• As employees, interns receive access to volunteer and community outreach opportunities and paid time off for volunteer activities.
• Throughout the internship, interns are invited to participate in events that will give exposure to leadership, provide development opportunities, and offer the ability to network with cross-functional interns/co-ops across the U.S.

Internship details:
• Internships are typically 12 weeks in duration.
• Interns are paid hourly for time worked.
• Interns are responsible for transportation to and from work.
• Interns may have the opportunity to travel during their term.
• Interns who demonstrate outstanding performance and a curiosity to learn more may be offered an internship, co-op or Full Time position to return the following year.

Our Benefits:
No matter who you are or where you are, we have resources to meet your needs. As an intern, you’ll have access to a wide variety of programs to support you and help you thrive. Eligible programs and incentives include:
• Paid time off
• Mental Health and Wellbeing program
• Digital Learning Library
• Housing and Relocation Assistance for those that qualify

Our Network:
Your development is our priority. With our outstanding global network, you will establish relationships, acquire mentors, and build your professional contacts. Our program encourages and orchestrates networking opportunities that will benefit you now and in your future career. During the internship, you will also receive consistent support from university recruiting staff, mentors, colleagues, and your supervisor.

Our Vibrant Community:
At Cargill, you will be a part of our vibrant global community with a culture that celebrates diversity. This is a reflection of the clients we serve and generates an intellectually diverse set of employees. Business Resource Groups (BRGs) help us embrace our diversity, make our culture more inclusive, and enhance our employees’ outstanding talents and perspectives to benefit our organization and employees.

Our U.S. Business Resource Groups include:
Asian Alliance Network, Cargill Young Professionals Network, Cargill Ability Network (iCAN), Cargill Ebony Council, Group Responsible for Orienting and Welcoming (GROW), Hispanic-Latino Council, Cargill Pride Network, Veterans & Military Support Network, and Cargill Women’s Network.

Job Locations:
• Dayton, VA | Springdale, AR | California, MO

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited program in a technical science program (Chemistry, Food Science, Animal Science, Meat Science, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related technical science degree) graduating between December 2024 and May 2026
• Right to work in the U.S. that is not based solely on possession of a student visa or a visa sponsored by a third-party employer
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Able to complete a 12-week internship in the summer (May/June – August 2024)
• Must be open to working in a plant environment
• Candidates must be geographically flexible and willing to relocate for an internship opportunity to one of the following locations: Dayton, VA | Springdale, AR | California, MO
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which may include nights and weekends with advance notice
• Ability to work optimally with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds and cultures
• Must possess a high degree of initiative and resourcefulness in completing work with limited guidance

Preferred Qualifications:
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher based on a 4.0 scale
• Basic food safety knowledge with specific emphasis on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Processes (GMPs), labeling, food additives, sanitation, and food microbiology
• Experience in applying statistical and quality management tools such as control charts, histograms, capability studies, etc.
• Strong leadership and technical skills
• Demonstrated ability of collaboration, communication, motivation, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, and successful completion of work
• Moderate computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, and database navigation)
• Experience applying Continuous Improvement concepts
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)