R&D Intern (Summer 2027) - JonnyPops

Who We Are

At JonnyPops, our team is empowered to make an impact at work every day from producing high-quality, innovative frozen novelties to spreading kindness one pop at a time. We look for bright and ambitious individuals who seek out challenges, thrive in fast-paced and high-growth environments, align with our core values, and get fulfilment from seeing their work transform the world around them.

Based in Elk River, MN, JonnyPops develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets frozen novelties. Retailers from coast to coast including Target, Costco, Publix, Kroger, Cub, along with thousands of regional and local grocers make JonnyPops part of their assortment.

Growing from a dorm room start-up in 2012, JonnyPop’ mission is to make "A Better Pop for a Better World!" JonnyPops leads the frozen novelties space in innovation and uses simple ingredients with no artificial dyes. Every pop stick includes a kind deed, spreading kindness every day.

Joining JonnyPops is an exciting opportunity to be part of high-growth brand and have a direct impact on the company’s success. Join our team and help us make “A Better Pop, for a Better World!”

Job Summary

Research & Development Intern will gain valuable work experience at a high-growth frozen novelty company that will set them up for success in a future role in R&D. The Research & Development Interns will help with continuous improvement projects, product quality initiatives, and product commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the improvement of existing frozen pops, maintenance of cost-effective measures, and timely resolution of technical service related to Fluid, Cultured, and Frozen Dairy and Non-Dairy products.

• Researching ingredients function in different products and processes.

• Support product stability studies and shelf-life assessments.

• Conduct laboratory and pilot plant trials.

• Work with suppliers on sample procurement for the formulation testing.

• Participate in the implementation of product quality initiatives

• Other tasks as assigned by R&D Scientists

Senior Intern (Summer 2027) - Additional Responsibilities

• Leads new-intern onboarding and lab training, including water/cream pop base training and standards instruction (pH, Brix, viscosity, density)
• Supports secondary-supply qualification directly with Procurement and leads documentation reconciliation with support from R&D team
• Contribute to project scoping for the next cohort, helping draft project briefs and category assignments during end-of-Q1/Q2 planning based on direct experience from the current summer.
• Co-lead supplier workshops, helping identify outside experts, coordinate scheduling, and prep the team's questions ahead of each session.
• Serve as sales sample queue owner, triaging and prioritizing requests across the intern cohort, flagging capacity conflicts, and directing back-stock priorities.

Food Safety Responsibilities

• Responsible for ensuring that R&D activities are done in accordance with GMP’s, and that food safety and quality in production is not compromised.

• Assist QA and production teams in root cause analysis and corrective actions.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear, and reach with hands or arms. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 30 lbs. Works comfortably in a variable temperature environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works on a manufacturing plant floor.

Minimum Qualifications

• Junior, Senior, or MS student

• Preferred Majors: Food Science, Chemistry, Packaging Science, or other related majors with an interest in food safety in a manufacturing environment

• Understanding of hazard analysis and risk assessment required

• Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time

• Reliable transportation required!

• Ability to travel to Elk River, MN (where our facility is located) and Plymouth MN (where our offices are located)

• Foundational knowledge in food safety and food hygiene

• Foundational knowledge in types of hazards in food (biological, chemical, and physical)

Additional Requirements

• Attention to detail

• Ability to learn quickly and follow instructions, but also work independently

• Naturally curious, with an appreciation for ambiguity and the ability to embrace the “test and learn” mentality in pursuit of continuous improvement.

• Alignment to our mission to spread kindness - JonnyPops is a kindness-based company

• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.

JonnyPops offers a competitive benefits package which includes the following:

• Medical/Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• HSA
• FSA
• DCFSA
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Short & Long Term Disability
• FTO/PTO
• EAP Programs
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• Sick & Safe Leave
• 401k
• Company Sponsored Meal Plan

* Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation in the form of bonuses and/or commissions.