Manufacturing Internship -Sample Collection Solution Prep Optimization

Location: Lexington, KY

Come Be Part of a Mission that Matters!

Manufacturing Intern – Sample Collection Solution Prep Optimization

This is more than just an internship. It’s an opportunity to turn scientific knowledge into real-world solutions and make a meaningful impact on manufacturing operations.

At Neogen, we believe in developing the next generation of innovative thinkers, problem-solvers, and industry leaders. Our internship program offers meaningful, hands-on experience where you'll have the opportunity to apply your classroom knowledge, collaborate with experienced professionals, and contribute to projects that support our global operations.

The Opportunity

As a Manufacturing Intern – Process Optimization & Quality Improvement, you'll gain valuable, real-world experience in manufacturing operations, process improvement, data analysis, and quality systems while working alongside Neogen's experienced Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering teams.

This is an exciting opportunity to see how science, data, and continuous improvement come together to strengthen manufacturing processes and product quality. You'll play an active role in a meaningful improvement project within Neogen's Solution Preparation (SOLP) operations, helping identify opportunities to improve process consistency, optimize solution usage, reduce material waste, and enhance equipment performance.

From analyzing production data and observing manufacturing processes to developing visual work standards and evaluating pH measurement technology, your contributions will help support more consistent operations, better decision-making, and sustainable improvements.

Throughout your internship, you'll receive hands-on mentorship and guidance while developing the technical, analytical, and professional skills needed to succeed in manufacturing, chemical engineering, quality, or process improvement careers.

What You'll Do

• Drive Meaningful Process Improvements: Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering professionals to support a focused improvement project within Neogen's Solution Preparation (SOLP) operations.
• Turn Data into Actionable Insights: Collect, organize, and analyze historical batch-record data, including pH measurements, adjustment quantities, repeat adjustments, and other process observations to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Improve Process Consistency: Evaluate historical production results and help develop practical, standardized solution-adjustment guidance that supports greater consistency and efficiency, subject to Manufacturing and Quality review and approval.
• Bring Visual Standards to Life: Observe solution preparation activities, document expected solution appearances, and capture controlled photographs to support clear, user-friendly visual standards within standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Explore Inventory & Waste Reduction: Analyze production demand, solution batch sizes, preparation schedules, expiration dates, usage patterns, and remaining or discarded materials to identify opportunities to optimize planning and reduce avoidable scrap.
• Evaluate Manufacturing Technology: Research and compare pH meters and probes based on measurement suitability, reliability, ease of use, cleaning and storage requirements, and total cost to develop informed equipment recommendations.
• Support Equipment Testing: Assist with planning and executing an approved trial of a recommended pH meter or probe, when feasible, documenting results, performance observations, and implementation considerations.
• Strengthen Standard Work: Help develop and improve technical documentation, visual work instructions, and process guidance that support consistent manufacturing practices.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work alongside manufacturing operators, production leads, Quality professionals, and engineers to understand process challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Measure and Communicate Results: Track project progress, summarize findings, and share data-driven recommendations with Manufacturing leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

All testing, documentation changes, and process improvement activities will be conducted under appropriate supervision and in accordance with established safety, quality, and change-control procedures.

What You'll Gain

At Neogen, we believe the best learning happens through experience. Throughout your internship, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Gain hands-on experience working within a regulated manufacturing environment and learning how solution preparation processes support product quality and consistency.
• Develop practical experience analyzing manufacturing batch records, pH measurements, and process performance data.
• Strengthen your ability to identify trends, evaluate variability, and apply structured problem-solving to real-world manufacturing challenges.
• Learn how scientific principles and data analysis contribute to process optimization and improved manufacturing efficiency.
• Gain exposure to standard operating procedure (SOP) development, visual work standards, controlled documentation, and cross-functional approval processes.
• Explore material planning, solution usage, expiration management, and waste-reduction opportunities within manufacturing operations.
• Learn how manufacturing equipment is evaluated for technical performance, reliability, usability, and operational suitability.
• Develop experience supporting controlled equipment trials, documenting test results, and preparing technical recommendations.
• Understand how Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering teams collaborate to evaluate and implement process improvements.
• Build confidence in technical communication, project ownership, and presenting data-driven recommendations to leadership.
• Gain valuable insight into career opportunities in manufacturing, chemical engineering, process engineering, quality, and continuous improvement.

Your Final Project: At the conclusion of your internship, you'll have the opportunity to present your accomplishments to Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and site leadership, highlighting your process analysis, proposed documentation improvements, solution-usage recommendations, pH equipment evaluation, and opportunities for continued operational improvement.

What We're Looking For

Education

Currently pursuing a degree in one of the following fields or a related scientific or engineering discipline:

• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Industrial Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• A comparable science or engineering field

Relevant coursework in General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Statistics, Data Analysis, Process Engineering, Quality Systems, or Manufacturing is preferred.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data organization, basic calculations, graphing, and analysis.
• Foundational understanding of chemistry, manufacturing processes, or process improvement principles.
• Ability to collect, organize, and interpret technical data with a strong focus on accuracy and consistency.
• Basic understanding of pH measurements, laboratory techniques, or analytical testing concepts.
• Strong technical writing skills and the ability to document procedures, observations, and findings clearly.
• Interest in manufacturing process optimization, quality improvement, equipment evaluation, or waste reduction.
• Laboratory experience or familiarity with pH meters and measurement equipment is preferred but not required.
• Willingness to learn new manufacturing procedures, analytical methods, and documentation practices.
• Ability to follow established safety, quality, and documentation requirements within a manufacturing environment.

Skills That Will Help You Succeed

• A curious, analytical mindset and enthusiasm for understanding how manufacturing processes work.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a passion for identifying practical improvements.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, reliable results.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with a willingness to take ownership of meaningful work.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple project activities and priorities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence collaborating with manufacturing operators, production leads, engineers, and Quality professionals.
• Adaptability and a willingness to spend time on the manufacturing floor learning directly from processes and employees.
• Openness to coaching, constructive feedback, and continuous learning.
• A commitment to safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

What Success Looks Like

By the end of your internship, you'll have contributed to strengthening Neogen's Solution Preparation processes while developing valuable technical and professional skills that will support your future career in manufacturing, engineering, science, or quality.

Success will be demonstrated through:

• Improved Process Consistency: Development of standardized SOLP adjustment guidance supported by historical batch-record analysis and reviewed by Manufacturing and Quality.
• Clearer Visual Work Standards: Creation of documented solution-appearance references and controlled visual materials suitable for incorporation into applicable standard operating procedures following required approvals.
• Meaningful Waste-Reduction Opportunities: Identification of practical improvements to solution batch sizing, preparation timing, usage, and expiration management that could reduce avoidable material or finished-goods scrap.
• Informed Equipment Recommendations: Completion of a structured pH meter and probe evaluation considering measurement performance, reliability, usability, maintenance requirements, and cost.
• Documented Testing Results: Completion of an approved equipment trial, when feasible, with clear results, observations, and recommendations for potential implementation.
• Actionable Process Improvements: Development of practical, data-driven recommendations and supporting documentation that Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering teams can use to guide future improvements.
• Professional Growth: Demonstrated development in manufacturing data analysis, technical documentation, scientific problem-solving, equipment evaluation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Throughout the internship, progress will be supported through regular mentor check-ins, ongoing coaching, and established project milestones.

Your Final Presentation

At the conclusion of your internship, you'll showcase your work and the impact of your contributions through a presentation to Neogen's Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and site leadership teams.

Your presentation will highlight:

• Project Overview: A review of the Solution Preparation process, initial challenges, project objectives, and opportunities identified at the beginning of the internship.
• Data Analysis & Process Findings: An overview of historical batch-record trends, pH adjustment patterns, process variability, and key observations.
• Standardization & Documentation Improvements: A demonstration of proposed solution-adjustment guidance, visual solution-color standards, and recommended SOP updates.
• Solution Usage & Waste-Reduction Opportunities: An analysis of production demand, solution preparation schedules, material usage, expiration trends, and potential opportunities to reduce scrap.
• Equipment Evaluation & Testing: A summary of pH meter and probe comparisons, technical recommendations, and any approved trial results.
• Business Impact & Future Recommendations: An explanation of how the findings could support process consistency, material efficiency, product quality, and operational performance, along with recommended next steps and implementation considerations.

Your presentation will also distinguish between improvements completed during the internship and recommendations requiring additional testing, approval, or follow-up.

You'll have the opportunity to answer questions, discuss lessons learned, and demonstrate the technical and professional skills developed throughout your internship.

Why Neogen?

At Neogen, our work is driven by a shared purpose: advancing human and animal well-being through science and technology to help protect the global food supply.

Behind that mission is a commitment to scientific innovation, manufacturing excellence, product quality, and continuous improvement. Our teams work together to develop and deliver solutions that help customers protect what matters most.

As a Manufacturing Intern, you won't just observe from the sidelines. You'll have the opportunity to work directly with manufacturing processes, apply scientific principles to real-world challenges, and collaborate with experienced professionals to develop meaningful improvements.

Your work will help strengthen process consistency, improve technical documentation, support smarter material usage, and identify opportunities to reduce waste while maintaining the high standards of quality our customers expect.

Whether your interests lie in chemical engineering, manufacturing operations, laboratory science, quality, or process improvement, this experience will give you the opportunity to explore different technical disciplines and see how your contributions can make a difference.

Bring your curiosity, your scientific mindset, and your passion for making things better. We'll provide the opportunity to turn those strengths into real-world experience.

Ready to build your future with Neogen? Apply today!

Equal Employment Opportunity

Neogen is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where individuals are valued and respected. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, which may include a background check, drug screening, and verification of employment eligibility in accordance with applicable laws and company policies.

WHO IS NEOGEN:

From farm to fork, we offer solutions to enhance the quality, quantity and safety of the global food supply. Our animal safety solutions are used on farms, veterinary practices and manufacturers around the world to provide the best animal care possible. Whether food or pharmaceuticals, Neogen’s provides a one-stop shop for the health and safety to our animals and our customers operations.

Neogen’s culture combines stability with a deep belief in providing professional and personal growth. Our Pillars of Trust — the principles that guide our everyday decision-making, include Openness, Honesty, Credibility, Respect, and Service. It’s our belief in these characteristics that provides a consistent, happy and healthy work environment for our employees.