Intern, AI Initiatives

Based in our Corporate Headquarters in Schaumburg, IL, Mizkan America is a subsidiary of the Mizkan Group, a global, family-owned company that has been Bringing Flavor to Life™ for over 220 years. As one of the leading makers of vinegars, condiments, and sauces in the United States, Mizkan America maintains 12 manufacturing facilities that serve the retail, foodservice, specialty-Asian and food-ingredient trade channels. We are committed to following our two core principles: continuously challenging the status quo and delivering only the finest products for our customers. Our leadership seeks out, embraces, and implements ideas for improvement from all of its employees. Transparency and accountability are two key factors that drive our company’s overall management approach.

We are looking for people who are seeking to deliver their best so that we can deliver ours. Above all, we’re dedicated to maximizing the potential of our greatest assets—our team members. That’s reflected in our ongoing commitment to recruit, develop, reward, and retain our talented, multicultural workforce. We hope to see you as part of our team’s future success!

POSITION SUMMARY:   

The AI Intern will support the Enterprise Portfolio Office (EPO) in exploring, developing, and applying artificial intelligence and automation solutions that improve business processes, decision-making, and operational efficiency across Mizkan’s departments. This role is hands-on and practical, focused on upskilling members in effective AI use, and assisting with the deployment of AI solutions across the organization.

The intern will gain exposure to enterprise systems, data, and governance while learning how AI is responsibly implemented in a corporate environment.

Essential Functions:

• Assist in identifying and evaluating opportunities to apply AI, machine learning, or automation to business and IT processes
• Support EPO team in upskilling the organization to leverage available M365 AI tools
• Support development of custom AI-enabled solutions such as: M365 Copilot Studio Agents, SharePoint Agents, Cowork automations
• Process automation via Workflows, Power Apps Vibe, Power Automate
• Data analysis and predictive insights
• Work with IT team and functional members to collect, clean, and analyze data used in AI solutions
• Assist with testing, documentation, and validation of AI solutions to ensure accuracy, security, and usability
• Help develop basic dashboards, reports, or visualizations to communicate insights
• Document processes, outcomes, and recommendations for future implementation
• Follow company data privacy, security, and responsible AI guidelines

Learning Opportunities:

• Exposure to enterprise IT systems and real-world business data
• Hands-on experience with AI tools, platforms, and automation technologies
• Understanding of governance, security, and ethical considerations in AI usage
• Collaboration with business stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions
• Insight into how AI supports manufacturing, corporate, and shared service environments

Key Skills/Competencies:

• Strong interest in AI, machine learning, data analytics, or automation
• Familiarity with M365 products (Copilot, Copilot studio, Office)
• Familiarity with data analysis concepts and tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau, pandas)
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences

Education/Experience/Qualifications/Certifications:

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Information Systems, or a related field
• Exposure to machine learning or AI frameworks (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch), preferred
• Experience with automation tools and integrations (e.g., Power Automate, APIs), preferred

The hourly rate for this internship position is $20 per hour.

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods while working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
• Ability to communicate clearly in person and via electronic devices.
• Ability to move within the office environment, including walking short distances and navigating stairs if applicable.
• Visual acuity to read and interpret data on screens and printed materials.