R&D Intern - Concord, NC

Back R&D Intern #5892 Posted 05/13/2025 Concord, North Carolina, United States Apply Apply for this job now! Apply Job Description

The Research and Development, PD Team is responsible for bringing profitable products and services from idea to commercialization. This team works collaboratively to drive creation, development, and launch of beverage solutions to serve customers in the foodservice, ingredient, and CPG markets.

The R&D Intern will assess the coffee market for functional ingredient trends in both hot coffee and RTD coffee and use their findings to create coffee beverage concepts that are specific to our customer base. Assessment of these beverages will include using sensory analysis techniques and leveraging RedJade programming for quantitative results.

They will also assist with other R&D functions such as coffee and tea cupping, shelf-life testing, discrimination and descriptive sensory analysis, customer support, and cross-functional teamwork.

Job Duties:

Analyze market samples of "functional" hot coffees and RTD coffees using sensory analysis techniques

Leverage sensory data to create coffee beverage concepts for various customer bases

Understand and apply the basics of development, nutrition considerations, customer considerations, and commercialization to the projects

Learn internal sensory program and statistical analysis, assist in sensory testing, and perform tests independently as needed

Learn how Westrock works across its various key departments (Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Logistics, etc.)

Interact with operations teams such as floor personnel, plant management, engineering, quality

Learn basics of coffee quality, cupping procedure, and SCA standards and certifications

Learn formulation basics for major certifications such as Rainforest Alliance, Non-GMO, and Organic

Present a 30-minute presentation at the end of summer to summarize their internship & what they've learned

Perform other duties as assigned by management

Requisition Number 5892 Shift First Qualification Qualifications:

Rising college Junior, Senior or recent graduate with a major from one of the following areas: Food Science, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, Culinary Science, Sensory Science, or relevant food discipline.

General knowledge of food science, with focus on beverages is a plus.

Interest in coffee, tea, herbals, and similar beverages.

Interest in food quality and basic beverage processing such as pasteurization and retort.

General knowledge of food quality, food safety is a plus.

Computer skills including Microsoft Office, ability to manipulate spreadsheets and use web-based and other computer-based inventory tools.

Some knowledge of SQF food safety and quality systems and related requirements

Equal Opportunity Employer / Vets / Disabled