Feed Operations Intern

Job Description

Data-Driven Agribusiness Internship: Optimize the Future of Feed!

We're looking for a sharp, analytical college student to take on a high-impact, 10-12 week project at our Feed Mill. If you're passionate about data, efficiency, and the future of agriculture, this is your chance to turn complex data into major operational improvements and cost savings.

This isn't busy work. You will use your analytical skills to streamline our entire product line, impacting everything from ingredient sourcing to final production output. Your recommendations will be presented directly to mill leadership!

Your Mission: The Product Portfolio Optimization Project

Our Feed Mill produces diverse feeds for everything from dairy and poultry to pets and exotics. Your primary objective is to make our operation leaner, faster, and more profitable.

Reduce Redundancy: Analyze hundreds of formulations to find similar products. You'll identify where we can consolidate offerings without sacrificing nutritional quality.

Boost Throughput: Map out production workflows to find and eliminate bottlenecks, driving a target 10% increase in daily output.

Streamline Ingredients: Model ingredient usage across all products to standardize components, aiming to cut the number of unique items by 15-20%.

️ Essential Functions: What You'll Be Doing

Deep Dive Analysis: Collect and crunch data from product formulations, sales logs, and production metrics.

Process Mapping: Use diagrams (like flowcharts) to visualize workflows and spot inefficiencies.

Data Modeling: Apply clustering techniques to group similar feeds and simulate the financial and operational impact of consolidation.

Collaborate & Interview: Work directly with Nutritionists and Operations Staff to understand current practices and gather essential insights.

Deliver the Plan: Develop a final report with financial projections and an implementation roadmap, followed by a formal presentation to leadership.

Qualifications: Are You the Right Fit?

Required for Success:

Currently pursuing a degree in Agricultural Science, Animal Nutrition, Operations Management, Data Analytics, or Industrial Engineering.

Proven ability to analyze complex datasets and identify patterns/redundancies.

Strong command of Microsoft Excel for modeling and statistical analysis.

Excellent communication skills—you can translate data insights into clear, actionable recommendations.

Valid Drivers License with acceptable MVR

Preferred:

Familiarity with animal nutrition or agribusiness supply chain concepts.

Experience with process mapping (e.g., Lucidchart) or basic data clustering techniques.

Exposure to database interfaces (e.g., basic SQL) or data extraction.

️ The Mill Environment: Where You'll Work

Mill Setting: You'll split time between a professional office environment (data analysis) and the mill floor/warehouse (site visits and process observation).

Safety First: Must adhere to all safety protocols, including wearing required PPE (e.g., safety vests, hearing protection) while on the mill floor.

Physical Demands: Requires walking and standing during site visits to observe production flows. Expect exposure to noise, dust (from feed products), and temperature fluctuations typical of an industrial setting.

DISCLAIMER

The job description is not intended to cover or describe all tasks, duties and responsibilities the employee may be required to be asked to perform. Heritage Cooperative retains the right to change or add new tasks, duties and responsibilities at any time, with or without notice to the employee.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Evidence of work authorization upon employment is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Completion of USCIS form I-9 will be required in order to verify employment eligibility within 3 business days of the first day of employment.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

Heritage Cooperative provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Heritage Cooperative complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Heritage Cooperative expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Heritage Cooperative’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including termination.