Manufacturing Engineer Internship Job at KLN Family Brands in Perham

Manufacturing Engineer Internship

KLN Family Brands/Kenny’s Candy & Confections

College Juniors and Seniors…We’re looking for you!

Our Story

KLN Family Brands is a 3rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.

At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company. We are successful because of trust-based relationships, and first-rate products for our families and friends. We better the world by caring for others. We challenge. We grow. We inspire.”

Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little. Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves. That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do. We tell the story of our brand – our people, the quality & safety of our products, our tradition & trust, our bold innovation, and the way we treat our community & beyond. We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company.

We’re looking for a Manufacturing Engineer Intern for the summer of 2025 that is serious about a career in manufacturing. If you are willing to learn from the best and have a desire to participate in the growth of some of the fastest growing brands in the confectionary industry, you’ve stumbled upon the right job.

The Opportunity

As a Manufacturing Engineer Intern, you’ll work closely with our Process Engineer, Maintenance & Reliability Manager, Production Manager, and the entire operations team.

Daily Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, execute, and manage projects as they progress through the continuous improvement process
• Define equipment capabilities to build a capabilities library
  1. Determined through data collection, data entry, and calculations
• Watch and understand operational processes used
• Research alterative operational processes
• Work cross-functionally with all departments at Kenny’s Candy & Confections

Unique Projects:

• Develop standards for utility work
• Identify manufacturing cost reductions and provide return on investment (ROI) justifications
• Optimize work flow and cell designs
• Introduce cost-effective automation for productivity and safety advantages

You Will Learn Things Like:

• Innovation and creativity
• Goal setting and KPI measurement
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Oral and written communication
• Teamwork and leadership

What You’ll Need to be Successful at KLN Family Brands/Kenny’s Candy & Confections:

• At least a Junior in college pursuing a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• The ability to dedicate 10-12 weeks to the internship program for the summer of 2025
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn
• The ability to work in a team atmosphere and be a great co-worker
• The ability to work on-site at our Perham, MN facility for the summer

Interns who demonstrate exceptional performance and a passion for our business may have the opportunity for full-time employment upon graduation.

Pay for this position will be a percentage of industry standards based on typical full-time starting salaries, and will depend on your year in school and your timeline to graduation.