Innovation Marketing Internship
McCain Foods, Chicago, IL, United States
Position Title:
Global Snacking - Innovation Marketing Intern Position Type:
Temporary - Full-Time Grade:
Grade 01 Requisition ID:
41499 Location:
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
About The Role We are seeking an Innovation Marketing Intern to support our Global Snacking Innovation Marketing team for a 12-week internship beginning in May 2026. This role is designed for a curious, analytical, and future-focused marketer who is passionate about innovation, food trends, and retail strategy. In this position, you will build critical strategic thinking skills required for a career in innovation marketing, brand management or consumer insights. You will gain hands‑on exposure to how consumer and operator insights translate into innovation strategies, pipeline decisions, and retail‑ready solutions that come to life in the marketplace. A core focus of this role will be helping the team identify innovation white‑space opportunities in the retail channel across the globe by turning data into insights and insights into “jobs to be done”—ultimately helping McCain differentiate, grow, and win with consumers and customers.
What You’ll Be Doing Innovation & Strategy Development
Support the team in diving into McCain’s Global Snacking Innovation pipeline architecture, with a focus on Tastiez/Pickers platform
Explore and evaluate Better-for-You (BFY) trends, ethnic flavors and formats, and pack‑size innovation to unlock new availability and retail opportunities
Translate consumer, shopper, and operator data into actionable insights and “jobs to be done” that inform future innovation and renovation
Identify white‑space opportunities that strengthen McCain’s retail differentiation
Retail Insights
Develop a strong understanding of how insights drive strategy across the retail channels
Analyze how innovation shows up at shelf and on menu—linking consumer needs to retail execution
Support projects that examine how to build the Tastiez/Pickers portfolio within the category
Data, Analytics & Insight Storytelling
Build data analytics skills using external data sources such as NPD and IRI
Mine insights from McCain’s Demand Landscape and Sub‑Spaces to inform innovation priorities
Participate in the creation and presentation of key insights and strategic recommendations for cross‑functional partners
Learning & Collaboration
Own real‑world initiatives that evolve into strategies executed in the marketplace
Gain exposure to brand marketing, communication development, and new product innovation
Receive 1:1 coaching and mentorship from innovation team members and cross‑functional partners
What You’ll Need To Be Successful
Currently working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or Business Strategy
Strong curiosity—always asking why consumers behave the way they do and what’s next
Interest in food, food culture, and emerging food trends
Passion for innovation, retail strategy, and future‑forward thinking
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
A self‑starter who is comfortable working independently and collaboratively
Analytical mindset with a love for digging into data and uncovering insights
Ability to commute to the Oakbrook Terrace, IL office and work a hybrid schedule (3 days/week onsite)
About The Team This intern will join the McCain Global Snacking Innovation team, comprised of 65 other marketing innovation professionals in the US and Canada who serve as the lead on disruptive innovation planning and global pipeline architecture.
About McCain McCain Foods is a global, family‑owned company that strives to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well‑being at the heart of what we do, every day. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Compensation Package $23.00 - $26.00 USD hourly wage equivalent, paid as a non‑exempt salary. The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs.
Benefits Due to the duration of this role, you will not be eligible for traditional benefits through our programs. McCain’s early careers programming offers a multitude of learning experiences aimed at advancing your career in the future. Your well‑being matters to us, and we’re here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work— and at home.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family‑owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Accessibility McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Privacy Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled
here .
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Global Snacking - Innovation Marketing Intern Position Type:
Temporary - Full-Time Grade:
Grade 01 Requisition ID:
41499 Location:
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
About The Role We are seeking an Innovation Marketing Intern to support our Global Snacking Innovation Marketing team for a 12-week internship beginning in May 2026. This role is designed for a curious, analytical, and future-focused marketer who is passionate about innovation, food trends, and retail strategy. In this position, you will build critical strategic thinking skills required for a career in innovation marketing, brand management or consumer insights. You will gain hands‑on exposure to how consumer and operator insights translate into innovation strategies, pipeline decisions, and retail‑ready solutions that come to life in the marketplace. A core focus of this role will be helping the team identify innovation white‑space opportunities in the retail channel across the globe by turning data into insights and insights into “jobs to be done”—ultimately helping McCain differentiate, grow, and win with consumers and customers.
What You’ll Be Doing Innovation & Strategy Development
Support the team in diving into McCain’s Global Snacking Innovation pipeline architecture, with a focus on Tastiez/Pickers platform
Explore and evaluate Better-for-You (BFY) trends, ethnic flavors and formats, and pack‑size innovation to unlock new availability and retail opportunities
Translate consumer, shopper, and operator data into actionable insights and “jobs to be done” that inform future innovation and renovation
Identify white‑space opportunities that strengthen McCain’s retail differentiation
Retail Insights
Develop a strong understanding of how insights drive strategy across the retail channels
Analyze how innovation shows up at shelf and on menu—linking consumer needs to retail execution
Support projects that examine how to build the Tastiez/Pickers portfolio within the category
Data, Analytics & Insight Storytelling
Build data analytics skills using external data sources such as NPD and IRI
Mine insights from McCain’s Demand Landscape and Sub‑Spaces to inform innovation priorities
Participate in the creation and presentation of key insights and strategic recommendations for cross‑functional partners
Learning & Collaboration
Own real‑world initiatives that evolve into strategies executed in the marketplace
Gain exposure to brand marketing, communication development, and new product innovation
Receive 1:1 coaching and mentorship from innovation team members and cross‑functional partners
What You’ll Need To Be Successful
Currently working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or Business Strategy
Strong curiosity—always asking why consumers behave the way they do and what’s next
Interest in food, food culture, and emerging food trends
Passion for innovation, retail strategy, and future‑forward thinking
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
A self‑starter who is comfortable working independently and collaboratively
Analytical mindset with a love for digging into data and uncovering insights
Ability to commute to the Oakbrook Terrace, IL office and work a hybrid schedule (3 days/week onsite)
About The Team This intern will join the McCain Global Snacking Innovation team, comprised of 65 other marketing innovation professionals in the US and Canada who serve as the lead on disruptive innovation planning and global pipeline architecture.
About McCain McCain Foods is a global, family‑owned company that strives to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well‑being at the heart of what we do, every day. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Compensation Package $23.00 - $26.00 USD hourly wage equivalent, paid as a non‑exempt salary. The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs.
Benefits Due to the duration of this role, you will not be eligible for traditional benefits through our programs. McCain’s early careers programming offers a multitude of learning experiences aimed at advancing your career in the future. Your well‑being matters to us, and we’re here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work— and at home.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family‑owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Accessibility McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Privacy Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled
here .
#J-18808-Ljbffr