R&D Internship

Company: Alamance Foods, Inc.

Location: Burlington, NC
Duration: Summer 2025 (Mid-May to Mid-August)

Alamance Foods

At Alamance Foods, we believe in pushing the boundaries of food innovation. From our roots as Melville Dairy to becoming a leader in aerosol whipped cream, freezer pops, and more, we’ve grown into a bold and agile company committed to doing what’s never been done before. As both a trusted co-manufacturer and the creator of beloved brands like Classic Cream, Fun Pops, Coffee Toppers, and Whipt, we’re driven by a passion for creating delight through food.

Our team thrives on curiosity, experimentation, and collaboration—bringing new ideas to life that surprise and excite consumers. Join us as we reimagine what’s possible in food and beverage.

Position Description

As a Summer R&D Intern, you'll gain meaningful, hands-on experience in food manufacturing and product development, all while contributing to real-time projects that make an impact. Interns will be embedded in the R&D team and assigned 2–4 key projects over the course of the summer. Each project will be designed to help you learn critical skills in formulation, scale-up, and cross-functional collaboration. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are passionate about food innovation and curious about how products move from concept to consumer in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Leadership: Take charge of assigned R&D projects, guiding them from ideation to completion with creativity and technical proficiency.
• Product Development Support: Collaborate closely with the R&D team to contribute to the creation and improvement of food products, engaging in research, recipe formulation, and product trials.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with various departments, ensuring effective communication and understanding of how different functions interact within the company.

Key Outcomes

• Develop an understanding of food manufacturing as it applies to Alamance Foods and the R&D Department. This will include an understanding of aerosol, pops, and shelf-stable drink manufacturing.
• Understand the key components to formula formulation and how to troubleshoot common challenges.
• Gain a well-rounded understanding of food manufacturing and how all departments work cross functionally to meet common goals.

Skills & Attributes We’re Looking For

• Project Management Mindset – Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, project-driven environment
• Team Collaboration & Independence – Comfortable working both independently and within cross-functional teams to drive projects forward
• Technical Proficiency – Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel and PowerPoint) for data analysis and reporting
• Attention to Detail – Keen eye for accuracy when collecting data, recording observations, and following formulation procedures
• Strong Communication Skills – Able to clearly articulate ideas, ask questions, and communicate progress or roadblocks with your mentor and team
• Creative Problem-Solving – A curious, solutions-oriented thinker who isn’t afraid to experiment and tackle challenges with fresh ideas
• Organized & Curious – Highly organized with a natural curiosity for how things work and a proactive approach to learning new processes
• Innovation-Driven – Excited by the challenge of turning ideas into first-of-their-kind products with a passion for food science and innovation

Education & Experience

• Pursing a bachelor’s or masters in Food Science or related majors
• Experience with dairy or dairy alternatives is preferred
• Experience with project management is preferred

Requirements

• Eligibility to work in the United States for any employer.
• A valid Drivers’ License and a means of reliable transportation.