R&D Intern

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