Operations Management Internship

Operations Management

Internship

KLN Family Brands/Tuffy's Pet Foods

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

Our Story

KLN Family Brands is a 3^rd 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 an Operations Management Intern for the summer of 2027 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 an Operations Management Intern, you’ll work closely with our Production Manager and the entire operations team. 

Daily Duties and Responsibilities:

• Gain hands-on experience in the production area to develop an understanding of the process from start to finish
• Support 2027 strategic initiatives through projects that could include:
  1. Analyzing production lines to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement
  2. Proposing workflow layouts that improve efficiency and reduce cycle time
  3. Evaluating Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) to identify opportunities for equipment and process improvements

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/Tuffy’s Pet Foods:

• At least a Junior in college pursuing a degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field
• The ability to dedicate 10-12 weeks to the internship program for the summer of 2027
• 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 

Compensation

The starting hourly rate of pay is $17.94 and will be a percentage of industry standards based on typical full-time starting salaries, and will depend on your year in school and timeline to graduation.

Potential

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