Product Innovation Work Study

Select Milk Producers is one of the nation’s largest and most progressive dairy cooperatives, with 32 wholly owned subsidiaries, 12 processing plants, and 8 joint ventures including Fair Oaks Farms, Continental Dairy Facilities, Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest, Mill Haven Foods, Select Custom Solutions, GreenLink and Select Services. With over 1,000 employees, the Select Milk family of companies impacts all aspects of the dairy farm business and at the heart of our family of companies, is you.

"We strive to go above and beyond what’s expected in providing for our families, leading our employees, caring for our land and animals, serving our customers, producing quality milk, and serving one another. This commitment is more than our business, it’s in our culture and our character. We believe in being accountable, in doing what’s right, in performing at our best, in setting a higher standard."

Select Milk Producers and its subsidiaries offer attractive compensation and a best-in-class benefits package that includes but is not limited to medical, vision, dental, life insurance, and more that can be tailored for you and your family. Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) up to 6% company match, life and disability insurance, and paid holidays & vacation. We are proud to promote an equal employment opportunity workplace.

What Select offers you:

• Shoe Allowance
• Onsite gym
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Leadership Development
• Opportunities to support our local communities
• Chance to apply best practices in sustainability and environmental initiatives
• Commitment to producing high quality nutritious products and providing nourishment around the world

What this role is all about:

We are looking for a Product Innovation Work Study in La Crosse, WI.

Part-Time: Monday through Friday (10-20 hours a week)

The Product Innovation Work Study assists in the activities of R&D, with primary responsibilities centered on the daily tasks of the sample program. 

Job Duties:

• Perform data entry accurately and efficiently, utilizing, accessing and/or retrieving data in Word, Excel, UPS software, and Sample Request and Document Manager databases.
• Ability to read a batch formulation and correctly weigh up ingredients using appropriate scale.
• Determine availability of ingredients required to complete the sample request.
• Obtain needed labels and inserts (cards, product bulletins, nutritional info) from Customer Service.
• Communicate with R&D any problems or delays from expected delivery date of the samples.
• Photograph container fills and other visual samples and send digital images as needed.
• Use barcode scanner to inventory new ingredient samples into Innovation inventory. Locate and removing product from inventory as needed.
• Locate and pull ingredient samples in the warehouses to replenish Innovation inventory, complete a powder blend for testing or for the fulfillment of a sample request. Follow Quality, Inventory and Sales guidelines when removing product from inventory.
• Prepare samples with special shipping materials (ex. packaging, dry ice) as needed.
• Have samples boxed, labeled and ready to ship with paperwork by daily UPS deadline.
• As necessary, make other arrangements for shipping (Fed Ex, other carrier, hand deliver).
• Develop a working understanding of the types and categories of food ingredients used, the brand names and vendors that supply them and the product codes used internally to identify each.
• Participate in R&D group activities as time allows, which includes but is not limited to attending meetings as needed, performing clean up tasks, and working on special projects as coordinated with a Food Technologist or Director. 

Education Required:

• Completion of one (1) year in a Bachelor’s Degree program with technical and/or scientific coursework required. 

Experience Required:

• Minimum one (1) year of experience preferred.

Where you’ll be working:

Our La Crosse, WI, plant is home to approximately 330 employees. This facility supplies the food, beverage, and nutritional industries with innovative functional ingredients and superior quality contract manufacturing services.

La Crosse, WI, is nestled between the Mississippi River and the rolling river bluffs. This town is home to a plethora of colleges, high-quality health care, community events, and cultural opportunities. If you want to enjoy outdoor activities th