R & D Intern; Food Manufacturing

R&D Intern (Food Manufacturing) – 6-month internship

Dessert Holdings is the leading premium dessert company in the world. We craft artisanal, scratch‑made desserts at scale, combining culinary innovation with the finest real ingredients. With a rich heritage spanning seven distinctive brands, we bring unmatched expertise and tailored solutions to our Retail and Food service partners.

Dessert Holdings is looking for an R&D Intern at our facility in Aurora, CO
. This position is expected to last six months and support product lab testing and manufacturing activities by preparing samples, conducting basic lab testing (including sensory), and assisting with hands‑on manufacturing tasks such as weighing ingredients and operating equipment. The internship will be capped off with a final report summarizing findings.

• Conduct product attribute/specification testing, sensory evaluations, and prepare samples for trials.
• Participate in hands‑on production support, collecting data, weighing ingredients, learning to operate equipment, and preparing products.
• Use software like Microsoft Excel to analyze, report, and document experimental results.
• Maintain detailed records, draft, and present a final report on a specific project or on findings and key takeaways.

• Currently enrolled in a college or university program (junior status preferred) such as Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related field
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams)
• Willingness to learn and follow strict safety protocols
• Ability to work in a production environment (cold, hot, noisy, on feet for up to 8 hours)
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Willingness to work off‑hours or extended shifts during product scale‑ups

Dessert Holdings is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands:
The Original Cakerie, Lawler’s Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Steven Charles, Dianne’s Fine Desserts, Kenny’s Great Pies, and Willamette Valley Pie Company. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, employs more than 3,500 people across ten manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.