Summary

Come join us in Salisbury, MD for Summer 2026! Our Continuous Improvement Internship offers students hands-on, real-world experience within the company over an 10 - 12 week period.  Come experience an inside look in the world of PIT, CPG and Food Production.

What can you expect from a Perdue summer internship? 

• Competitive Pay 
• Exciting Social, Philanthropic, and Networking Events with other Perdue Interns
• Hands-On, Real World Work Experience and a Dedicated Summer Mentor 
• Learning Workshops
• Travel to Perdue Locations Such as our Innovation Center, Perdue Learning University and Live Production Farms
• Interaction with Senior Leadership 
• Housing Stipend 

Principal and Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Understand all aspects of a deboning operation in a Supervisor & Superintendent role.

• Associate safety requirements – process and procedures to ensure compliance
• Food safety requirements – process and procedures to ensure compliance
• Cut up equipment efficiencies and impacts to a debone dept.
• Incoming raw material AQL (Acceptable Quality Limits)
• Auto debone equipment set up / efficiency / adjustments / trouble shooting
• Associate workmanship expectations / results / proper course of actions
• Become knowledgeable of Yield / Dept efficiency / Percent first quality calculations

• Understand equipment Center-lining and associated benefits
• Understand equipment Critical Asset Care Programs and associated benefits

Minimum Education

• Must be a rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior currently pursuing a Bachelors degree at an accredited university in a relevant field of study. Preferably majoring in Engineering, Agriculture, Operations, Supply Chain, Agricultural Business, etc.
• Must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA or higher

Experience Requirements

• Possess strong analytical, communication and time management skills
• Demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills

Experience Preferred

• Basic problem-solving knowledge, exposure, or interest
• Basic awareness of Food processing
• Strongly prefer a rising Junior or Senior who has completed at least 2 college-level communication courses

Environmental Factors and Physical Requirements

Position is mostly sedentary but may require occasional moving to other offices or buildings.  May need to move light equipment or supplies from one place to another. May need to access files, supplies and equipment.
When in a plant environment: Exposure primarily consists of wet and moist floors which include metal and plastic grating surfaces.
May be exposed to temperatures of 28 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with both ambient and 100% humidity. May handle product 25 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. May be exposed to noise ranges of 50 db. to 110 db.
May be exposed to all chemicals used in poultry, food, processing facility.
Must wear and use protective and safety equipment required for the job as directed by the Company.  May need to climb ladders.