SIT Career Nexus - R&D Internship - Ingredient Excellence Centre, Cocoa

Date: 21 Jan 2026

Country: Singapore

Location:

Boon Lay, SG

Function: Innovation, Quality & Food Safety

About Us

As a leading provider of high-quality food and beverage ingredients, we work with farming communities across the globe to grow, source and produce ingredients that are good for consumers, farmers, and the world around us. We supply household food brands and manufacturers worldwide with cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices ingredients which are often grown on our own farms and estates and sourced from hundreds of thousands of farmers across ~50 countries. Along with our diverse manufacturing and innovation capabilities, this means we can provide ingredients for a range of products, from a plant-based latte mix to an almond based snack bar or a dairy-free ice cream.  Making a positive impact on people and planet is a core component of our Purpose, to be the change for good food and a healthy future. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable, and transparent supply. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

Product Information

Cocoa

We are a leading supplier of cocoa beans and cocoa ingredients, including cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and cocoa liquor, ranking among the top three processors worldwide. We are a cocoa supplier that provides great natural cocoa ingredients to customers all over the world, working with partners across the supply chain to create indulgent treats for consumers while helping to provide a positive future for cocoa. We work closely with our customers to inspire new concepts and solve for challenges they face in developing new cocoa products for their consumers, while delivering value to their business. Building on two decades of supporting farmers and cocoa-growing communities, around the world, we launched Cocoa Compass in October 2019, with the report published in 2024 winning Sustainability Report of the Year at the UK Green Business Awards! It sets challenging goals to tackle the key issues facing the cocoa supply chain by 2030, with interim milestones for action. We are proud to have already achieved, in 2020, 100% traceability and deforestation monitoring in our direct cocoa supply chain. We source from nine regions across Africa, South America and Asia and operate processing, milling, and refining facilities close to major consumption markets in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Our cocoa brand portfolio includes deZaan, with over 100 years of excellence, Unicao, Joanes, Macao, Husyman, as well as Britannia specialty fats

Job Description

R&D Internship - Ingredient Excellence Centre, Cocoa

Location: Olam Cocoa Pte Ltd, 342 Jalan Boon Lay, Singapore 619527

Work arrangement: 5 days working in office, 9am – 6pm

About Olam Food Ingredients (ofi):

As a leading provider of high-quality food and beverage ingredients, we work with farming communities across the globe to grow, source and produce ingredients that are good for consumers, farmers, and the world around us. We supply household food brands and manufacturers worldwide with cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices ingredients which are often grown on our own farms and estates and sourced from hundreds of thousands of farmers across ~50 countries. Along with our diverse manufacturing and innovation capabilities, this means we can provide ingredients for a range of products, from a plant-based latte mix to an almond based snack bar or a dairy-free ice cream. Making a positive impact on people and planet is a core component of our Purpose, to be the change for good food and a healthy future. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable, and transparent supply. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

About the Role:

We are looking for a suitable candidate for an internship within the Cocoa Ingredient Excellence Centre (IEC) Singapore team. The role will support ongoing product development and testing activities and provide hands-on exposure to cocoa development.

Key Responsibilities:

Support cocoa product trials and development activities.
Help prepare samples for internal evaluations, customer trials, and shelf-life testing.
Record trial results, observations, and basic data accurately.
Assist in setting up, cleaning, and maintaining lab equipment.
Support day-to-day IEC tasks & cross-functional collaboration for ongoing projects.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment in line with food safety and hygiene standards.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For:

Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree / diploma in Food Science / Technology.
Experience in lab work to support product trials and application work.
Ability to work independently and has a good attention to detail.
Excellent communication and documentation skills.
A proactive, process-driven mindset with a passion for continuous improvement.
Ability to commit to 8-12 months full time internship without visa sponsorship.

What You’ll Gain:

Hands-on experience with real-world product trials and learn about different cocoa products.
Exposure to work with best practices in an international company.
A structured learning environment with mentorship and feedback.

ofi is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to racial or ethnic origin, color, age, religion or belief, sex, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Applicants are requested to complete all required steps in the application process including providing a resume/CV in order to be considered for open roles.