Continuous Improvement
Internship
KLN Family Brands/Tuffy's Pet Foods
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 Continuous Improvement Intern for the summer of 2026 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 pet food industry, you’ve stumbled upon the right job.
The Opportunity
As a Continuous Improvement Intern, you’ll work closely with our Continuous Improvement Manager and various other team members.
Daily Duties and Responsibilities:
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Interact with employees from various departments while maintaining food safety practices
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Attend and participate in tier meetings throughout the day
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Work on tasks from tier meetings and other operational initiatives within the business
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Assist with meetings, tasks, and projects related to strategic initiatives
Unique Project:
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Capstone Waste/Cost Reduction Project
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Focus on reducing/eliminating waste and costs, in many different areas, to improve efficiency and profitability
You Will Learn Things Like:
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Innovation and creativity
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Goal setting and KPI measurement
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Analytical and critical thinking
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Problem solving
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Oral and written communication
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Teamwork and leadership
What You’ll Need to Be Successful at KLN Family Brands/Tuffy’s Pet Foods:
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At least a Junior in college pursuing a degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, or Mechanical Engineering
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The ability to dedicate 10-12 weeks to the internship program for the summer of 2026
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A positive attitude and willingness to learn
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The ability to work in a team atmosphere and be a great co-worker
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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.