About the role#
This internship provides hands-on experience in food safety, quality assurance, and operational excellence at the Dot Foods distribution center in University Park. You will work alongside the Quality Manager and cross-functional teams to analyze data, improve reporting tools, and complete a practical project. This is a full-time, paid summer 2027 opportunity.
What you'll do#
- Train and job-shadow to understand business needs and workflows.
- Lead assigned individual projects and participate in a team project with other interns.
- Define problems, collect data, and conduct research to determine effective solutions.
- Gather and validate operational and quality data.
- Partner with teams in Quality, Warehouse, Transportation, and Safety.
- Build dashboards, trackers, and standard work documents.
- Review and update reports.
- Apply lean tools to identify and remove waste.
- Present your findings and recommendations at the end of the internship.
- Maintain responsibility for workplace safety for yourself and your co-workers.
What you'll need#
- Full-time student status with a minimum 3.0 cumulative G.P.A.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
- Bachelor's degree pursuit in food science, natural sciences, quality assurance, supply chain, operations, business analytics, or a related field.
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Leadership experience.
- Experience with Power BI, Microsoft Forms, SharePoint, Power Apps, Lean, or food safety is a plus.
Location & details#
- Location: University Park, Illinois.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Requirement: Ability to work at least 350 hours during the internship.
- Requirement: Ability to travel with minimal overnight stays required.
- Note: This position does not offer visa sponsorship.
About Dot Foods
Dot Foods is a food industry consolidator founded in 1960. It operates as a private, family-owned business based in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. The company manages a supply chain network that reaches all 50 states and more than 50 countries. It maintains 13 distribution centers across the United States and additional locations in Canada. The firm employs over 4,000 people.
How to get in at Dot Foods
Applying early gives you a distinct advantage at Dot Foods, as recruiters often review candidates as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you can submit your application before the pile grows. Being among the first to apply ensures your profile is seen while the team is still actively building their shortlist.
Reaching out to the right person can significantly improve your response rates compared to submitting into a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles so you can contact them directly to ask about the position or a referral. Taking this step shows genuine interest and helps you stand out from the crowd.
