Intern (Food Safety and Quality Assurance)

Freshpet Talent Acquisition•Bethlehem, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet. We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products, but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT’S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH! Freshpet is looking for a Microbiology Intern for Summer 2026 at our Bethlehem, PA facility. The approximate dates for this summer internship are from June 2026 to August 2026. You will be working Monday – Friday, with a maximum of 40 hours per week. Proposed Internship Project Project Identification: AI Systems Identification Project: Develop a decision tree and apply it to identify currently available AI tools to serve Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Quality control systems automation FSQA AI systems continuous monitoring: Develop a system/code to continuously monitor AI developments that fit Freshpet FSQA needs criteria Short Term Goals: Identify the AI space for FSQA-specific tools Long Term Goals: Build a monitoring system to continuously stay current on AI tools, specifically as it relates to Freshpet’s FSQA needs How You Will Make an Impact This position will support the Food Safety & Quality Assurance Team by identifying and assessing AI tools, which may include Supplier Quality, Plant Quality, Food Safety, and Quality Assurance systems, Data Analytics, and Microbiology. The FSQA AI Intern will be assigned duties that provide meaningful, practical experience in business processes related to all aspects of FSQA. The FSQA AI Intern will have the opportunity to gain practical knowledge and skills of an FSQA function within a CPG manufacturing site. Experience will be obtained through learning and participating in business processes and working with team members within a fast-paced and rapidly growing Food Production environment. Specific tasks and project assignments will include, but may not be limited to: Develop an FSQA AI decision tree to evaluate and categorize AI tools applicable to Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Supplier Quality, and Microbiology use cases. Identify and assess commercially available AI tools by applying the decision tree, documenting strengths, limitations, data requirements, and FSQA applicability. Conduct stakeholder interviews with FSQA, Quality, and Plant teams to gather requirements and define AI tool selection criteria aligned with Freshpet’s operational needs. Create a structured AI tool landscape summary (e.g., matrix or dashboard) comparing tools based on compliance impact, scalability, data integration, and risk. Design and build a continuous AI monitoring system or script to track emerging AI technologies, vendors, and regulatory-relevant developments aligned with FSQA needs. Define monitoring criteria and alert logic (e.g., keywords, sources, use cases) to ensure relevance to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Validate findings through pilot evaluations or demos of selected AI tools and document potential FSQA use cases and benefits. Prepare professional documentation and presentations summarizing recommendations, decision logic, and monitoring outputs for FSQA leadership review.

Requirements

Enrolled at an accredited college/university while working towards a bachelor’s or Master’s degree in food science, Microbiology, Data Analytics, CS, Engineering, or a related field is preferred
You are at minimum in your sophomore year, in good standing as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at your college or University
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, especially in Excel; familiarity with Power BI is a plus. Preferred: basic scripting experience or use of AI tools for Agent creation/programming
Exposure to food safety/quality systems (HACCP/GMPs, EMP, CAPA, supplier quality).
Ability to evaluate technology tools, gather requirements from stakeholders, and communicate findings professionally.
Proven leadership skills
Strong analytical thinking skills and quick acclimation to systems
Learn quickly and work well independently
Collaborate, communicate, and work effectively in a team environment
Strong curiosity and research discipline
Awareness of FSQA and plant quality workflows

Responsibilities

Develop an FSQA AI decision tree to evaluate and categorize AI tools applicable to Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Supplier Quality, and Microbiology use cases.
Identify and assess commercially available AI tools by applying the decision tree, documenting strengths, limitations, data requirements, and FSQA applicability.
Conduct stakeholder interviews with FSQA, Quality, and Plant teams to gather requirements and define AI tool selection criteria aligned with Freshpet’s operational needs.
Create a structured AI tool landscape summary (e.g., matrix or dashboard) comparing tools based on compliance impact, scalability, data integration, and risk.
Design and build a continuous AI monitoring system or script to track emerging AI technologies, vendors, and regulatory-relevant developments aligned with FSQA needs.
Define monitoring criteria and alert logic (e.g., keywords, sources, use cases) to ensure relevance to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
Validate findings through pilot evaluations or demos of selected AI tools and document potential FSQA use cases and benefits.
Prepare professional documentation and presentations summarizing recommendations, decision logic, and monitoring outputs for FSQA leadership review.