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Culinary Product Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Product Development Coordinator

New York, NY · On-site

$26.25 - $32.75/hr

FOODMatch is searching for a Product Development Coordinator to join our Sourcing team. FOODMatch ... Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field ...

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Culinary Product Development information

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How much do culinary product development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary product development in the United States is $24.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $26.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Culinary Product Development, and why are they important?

To succeed in Culinary Product Development, you need a strong background in food science, culinary arts, and recipe formulation, often supported by a degree in food science, culinary management, or a related field. Familiarity with product lifecycle management systems, sensory evaluation tools, and food safety certifications like HACCP is highly valued. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help professionals innovate and adapt to market trends while working in cross-functional teams. These skills ensure the development of safe, appealing, and commercially viable food products that meet consumer and regulatory standards.

What is culinary product development?

Culinary product development is the process of creating new food products or improving existing ones for restaurants, food manufacturers, or retail markets. This role involves researching food trends, experimenting with recipes and ingredients, conducting taste tests, and ensuring products meet quality, safety, and cost standards. Culinary product developers often collaborate with chefs, food scientists, marketing teams, and suppliers to bring innovative and marketable food items from concept to production.

What are some common challenges faced in a Culinary Product Development role, and how can they be addressed?

Culinary Product Development professionals often encounter challenges such as balancing innovative flavors with production feasibility, meeting strict food safety regulations, and adapting recipes for large-scale manufacturing without compromising quality. To address these, it's important to work closely with cross-functional teams including food scientists, quality assurance, and production staff. Staying updated on industry trends, maintaining clear documentation, and conducting thorough product testing can also help overcome these hurdles and lead to successful product launches.

What is the difference between Culinary Product Development vs Food Scientist?

AspectCulinary Product DevelopmentFood Scientist
CredentialsCooking or culinary arts certifications, culinary degreesFood science degrees, certifications in food safety
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, culinary labs, food companiesResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, quality control
Industry UsageFood companies, restaurants, product startupsFood manufacturing, research institutions, regulatory agencies

While Culinary Product Development focuses on creating and testing new food products through culinary techniques, Food Scientists analyze the chemical and physical properties of food to ensure safety, quality, and shelf life. Both roles collaborate closely in the food industry but serve different functions in product innovation and scientific research.

More about Culinary Product Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Culinary Product Development jobs? Cities with the most Culinary Product Development job openings:
What states have the most Culinary Product Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Culinary Product Development jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Product Development jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Product Development jobs are:
Infographic showing various Culinary Product Development job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $51,854 per year, or $24.9 per hour.
Product Development Coordinator

Product Development Coordinator

FOODMatch

New York, NY • On-site

$26.25 - $32.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Company Description

Come join a growing team! FOODMatch is searching for a Product Development Coordinator to join our Sourcing team.

FOODMatch is a producer and importer of Mediterranean specialty foods with a focus on olives, antipasti, and ingredients. Founded in 1996, FOODMatch is a producer and importer of Mediterranean specialty foods with a distinct expertise in traditionally and responsibly crafted olives, antipasti, spreads, sauces, and ingredients. FOODMatch plays an integral role in ensuring the quality of our products. The FOODMatch difference begins in the fields and groves. We are vertically integrated with our partners to ensure that each step along the production chain is completed to meticulous standards: from irrigation and pruning, to harvesting, sorting and stuffing by hand, to expertly curing and preserving, we ensure each ingredient delivers its natural flavor, color, and texture. Simply put, no detail is spared.

Through the hands of our growers we create great tasting, responsibly produced, authentic foods that nurture community and enhance your quality of life.

Job Description

Project Coordination

  • Support Retail, Private Label, Club Store, and internal product development projects from initial request through commercialization.
  • Gather, organize, and maintain project information, including customer requirements, product specifications, timelines, samples, pricing inputs, and supporting documentation.
  • Maintain project timelines, sample logs, shared files, and project trackers to ensure information is current and accessible.
  • Prepare project updates, meeting notes, action items, and follow-up communications.
  • Help coordinate communication between internal teams to support project milestones, approvals, and deliverables.

New Product Development Support

  • Support innovation and renovation projects by assisting with research, sample coordination, prototype tracking, and vendor follow-up.
  • Assist with research on market trends, competitive products, ingredients, packaging, and potential vendor capabilities.
  • Coordinate product samples with vendors and internal teams, including receiving, logging, routing, tracking feedback, and communicating next steps.
  • Support sensory evaluations, product reviews, customer meetings, trade shows, and internal presentations by preparing samples, notes, and related materials.

Vendor & Cross-Functional Support

  • Work with existing suppliers and assist in identifying potential new manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and vendors.
  • Support vendor scheduling, sample requests, documentation follow-up, and approved product deliverables.
  • Partner with Sales, Quality, Purchasing, Product Development, and other teams to help ensure projects remain organized and on track.

Process & Administrative Support

  • Help maintain internal processes, forms, project documents, and operating procedures to improve workflow and organization.
  • Assist with basic cost comparisons, product transition tracking, contingency updates, and reporting as needed.
  • Support additional administrative, project, and departmental tasks as assigned.
Qualifications
  • Experience in food product development, project coordination, sourcing, or a related food industry role preferred.
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and related business systems.
  • Basic understanding of food safety, quality, labeling, supplier documentation, or cost models preferred.
  • Strong communication, organization, documentation, and follow-up skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Resourceful, proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable working cross-functionally.

Skills & Competencies

  • Strong project coordination, organization, and follow-up skills.
  • Ability to work cross-functionally with vendors, customers, Sales, Quality, Purchasing, and Product Development.
  • Interest in food trends, product innovation, recipe development, and culinary applications.
  • Collaborative, service-oriented, and comfortable learning new systems and processes.
Additional Information

We offer a comprehensive benefits package and competitive compensation based on experience. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance