Data Analytics & Automation Development Summer Student

Job Description

Job Description:

Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for a Data Analytics & Automation Development Summer Student to join our rapidly growing company.

Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food maker with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. Founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry across three major geographic regions.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award-winning company.

Here's the Scoop – Summary

The Data Analytics & Automation Development Summer Student will work together with Global Quality Food Safety (QFS) and Research & Innovation (RI) teams to ensure the goals of the Global Research Innovation Safety Excellence (RISE) department are met.

This position is responsible for Data Analytics & Automation Development to support data management, processing, visualization, and analytical workflow development across the QFS and RI groups. This role focuses on Python scripting, data management and analytics, Databricks SQL usage, and visualization.

The Data Analytics & Automation Development Summer Student will be primarily working out of our NorthStar Kitchen in Acheson and Corporate Office in Edmonton as needed.

What a typical day looks like:

• Support Research & Innovation (RI) initiatives by developing and maintaining Python‑based data analytics tools that enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and reproducibility of laboratory and product‑development workflows.

• Analyze operational, laboratory, and formulation datasets using Python to generate actionable insights that help RI teams make informed scientific and technical decisions.

• Develop and present clear, visually compelling data visualizations and reports to support Analytical Lab trends, formulation outcomes, product performance evaluations, and cross‑functional project reviews.

• Improve data integrity and operational efficiency by managing datasets, standardizing data processes, and building workflow automations that help streamline RI tasks and reporting requirements.

• Use SQL within Databricks to extract, interrogate, and validate corporate master data objects, supporting RI’s analytical modeling, experiment tracking, and formulation‑related data needs.

• Perform advanced Excel‑based analytics—including dataset transformation, scenario analysis, and structured reporting—to support RI and adjacent functions with rapid, flexible insights.

• Work collaboratively with IT (Data Architecture) and RI stakeholders—including Analytical Lab, Formulation, Product Development & Innovation, QFS, and QA—to align on data requirements, integrate new data capabilities, and support cross‑functional technical initiatives.

• Other responsibilities as assigned to support RI’s data analytics, reporting, process optimization, or scientific decision‑support needs.

What are we looking for?

• Educational background: 3rd or 4th year in a related program (Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Applied Math, Engineering etc.)

• Strong Python skills (Jupyter/Spyder, Pandas, NumPy, Seaborn, Matplotlib).

• SQL experience

• Proficient with Microsoft Office.

Nice to have:

• Azure Databricks experience

• Dashboarding tools (Power BI, Plotly)

• Basic statistics knowledge

Key Competencies

• Self-directed, detail-oriented, and analytical thinking ability.

• Ability to respond appropriately and promptly in pressure situations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to prioritize, efficiently utilize and coordinate resources.

• Ability to work independently as well as strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain successful working relationships with cross-functional teams across the organization.

• Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs.

Working Conditions

• Work environment is in a pet food production facility office; the position works both in the office.

• Ability to physically inspect company property and assets, to meet food safety requirements.

• Ability to attend and conduct presentations.

• Manual dexterity is required to use desktop computer and peripherals.

• Working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Job duties require physical exertion, including the ability to manually lift to 10kg while using established safe lift procedures.

• Exposure to a pet food production environment that includes dust, noise, odors, and/or fluctuating temperatures.

What can you expect from Champion?

• Safety: a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.

• Earnings: Competitive Wages

• Quality: a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.

What are you waiting for? Join the pack!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.

#cpfind