Job Description

About the Company

Join FreshDirect's dynamic Research & Development team as a Culinary Research and Development Intern! This role provides hands-on experience in supporting test kitchen operations, maintaining production timelines, and assisting with the R&D innovation calendar. Working closely with our Test Kitchen Manager, you'll gain exposure to cross-functional collaboration with Manufacturing, Production Planning, Supply Planning, and Nutrition teams while learning the intricacies of commercial food production and quality management.

About the Role

Location: Bronx, NY (FreshDirect Production Facility)

Duration: 13-16 weeks

Commitment: Full-time (40 hours/week) preferred, part-time considered

Compensation: $23-$25 per hour

Responsibilities

• Essential Functions
• Test Kitchen Operations & Maintenance (30%)
• Assist with daily kitchen maintenance and organization including inventory control, equipment checks, and cleaning schedules
• Support maintenance of organized workspace and proper storage of ingredients and equipment
• Help track and organize kitchen supplies and coordinate restocking as needed
• Assist with basic equipment troubleshooting and maintenance requests
• Support implementation of food safety and sanitation protocols
• Testing & Documentation Support (25%)
• Help schedule and coordinate tastings for new developments, samples, manufacturing tests, and organoleptic testing
• Assist in maintaining comprehensive and accessible records for all stakeholder communications
• Support documentation of testing results and feedback compilation
• Help organize and prepare materials for weekly cutting sessions and evaluations
• Assist with data entry and record-keeping for test kitchen activities
• Administrative & System Support (25%)
• Assist with recipe data entry and updates in SAP system under supervision
• Support cost analysis activities and data compilation for new and existing items
• Help coordinate communication between R&D team and relevant departments
• Assist with tracking project timelines and deliverable schedules
• Support administrative tasks related to new product launches and updates
• Cross-Functional Collaboration (20%)
• Work with Production Planning teams to understand production flow requirements
• Assist Supply Planning team with vendor communication and specification tracking
• Support Nutrition team with portion size documentation and weight measurements
• Help coordinate with Copy Editors and Labeling team for website updates
• Assist with photo shoot preparation and organization for new and existing items
• Assist with new product specification documents
• Support special events and internal brand promotion activities as needed

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications
• Education & Background
• Currently enrolled in Culinary Arts, Food Science, or related program
• Junior, Senior, or Graduate student preferred
• Strong academic performance (3.0+ GPA preferred)
• Relevant coursework in food service operations, business, or culinary management
• Experience & Skills
• Interest in culinary research and development
• Basic understanding of food safety and sanitation principles
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel proficiency important)
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to follow precise instructions and work independently

Required Skills

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Core Competencies
• Problem solver with excellent communication and organizational skills
• Adaptable - thrives in fast-paced and ever-changing work environment with appetite for continuous learning
• Detail-oriented - strong follow-up skills in managing requests and projects that span several weeks
• Collaborative - strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across departments
• Initiative-driven - high level of enthusiasm, initiative, and solution-driven mindset
• Food passionate - genuine passion for food, cooking, and quality ingredients
• Professional Skills
• Ability to listen, follow precise instructions, and communicate cross-departmentally
• Strong project management and timeline coordination abilities
• Basic understanding of cost accounting and analysis principles
• Excellent relationship-building skills and high emotional intelligence
• Temperament for detailed work and systematic documentation

Preferred Skills

• Culinary degree program enrollment
• Professional kitchen or food service experience
• Knowledge of food safety standards and regulations
• Preferred but not required: Bilingual capabilities (Spanish preferred)
• Preferred but not required: Project management coursework or experience

Pay range and compensation package

Join our Test Kitchen team and gain invaluable hands-on experience in commercial food production, cross-functional collaboration, and operational excellence. This internship offers real exposure to the behind-the-scenes operations that bring innovative food products from concept to customer.

Compensation: $23-$25 per hour

Equal Opportunity Statement

FreshDirect is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.

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