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Culinary Research Development Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

Culinary Specialist

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$33K - $44K/yr

RaceTrac Company Overview The Culinary R&D Specialist is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and consistency of all information and assets related to food products that are taken through ideation ...

This role is hands-on: you'll be responsible for implementing kitchen programs, systems, and routines, driving culinary R&D, hiring and training staff, managing inventory, and delivering outstanding ...

This role is hands-on: you'll be responsible for implementing kitchen programs, systems, and routines, driving culinary R&D, hiring and training staff, managing inventory, and delivering outstanding ...

R&D and Culinary Oversight * Provide executive leadership over R&D and Culinary functions with a strong focus on commercialization. * Prioritize innovation pipelines aligned to approved product ...

R&D and Culinary Oversight * Provide executive leadership over R&D and Culinary functions with a strong focus on commercialization. * Prioritize innovation pipelines aligned to approved product ...

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Culinary Research Development information

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How much do culinary research development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary research development in Georgia is $22.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.25 and $25.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced in a Culinary Research Development role and how can they be overcome?

Professionals in Culinary Research Development often encounter challenges such as balancing creativity with cost-effectiveness, adapting recipes for large-scale production, and meeting diverse dietary requirements. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—like marketing, nutrition, and manufacturing—is essential to ensure that products are innovative yet feasible. Staying up-to-date with food trends and consumer preferences also requires ongoing research and flexibility. Success in this role often depends on strong project management skills and open communication within the team.

What Are Culinary Research and Development Jobs?

Culinary research and development jobs focus on using food science and the culinary arts to create new food and drink options for a menu. Common job titles include research chef, culinary research and development specialist, and culinary research and development chef. In any of these roles, you may select the ingredients for each recipe, help determine whether or not a dish should go on the menu, and focus on using innovation during the R&D process to meet the company's goals. This job has two major components. First, on the culinary side, your job is to create the best dishes you can. On the other hand, employers also expect you to consider the practical and business aspects of a dish. This includes how costly the ingredients are, how easy the ingredients are to get, whether or not it's possible to work the ingredients into a supply chain, and how easy it is for another chef to replicate the dish in a timely manner.

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

To excel in Culinary Research Development, a strong background in culinary arts, food science, and recipe formulation—often supported by a relevant degree or certification—is essential. Familiarity with food safety regulations, sensory evaluation tools, and product development software is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These skills are crucial for innovating new food products that are both safe and appealing, while meeting industry standards and consumer needs.

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

AspectCulinary Research DevelopmentFood Scientist
CredentialsCooking and culinary certifications, culinary degreesFood science degrees, certifications in food safety
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, culinary labs, product development kitchensLaboratories, manufacturing facilities, research centers
Industry UsageFood companies, restaurants, product development firmsFood manufacturing, research institutions, quality control

While Culinary Research Development focuses on creating and testing new recipes and culinary concepts, Food Scientists analyze food properties, safety, and quality. Both roles often collaborate but serve different primary functions within the food industry.

What is Culinary Research and Development?

Culinary Research and Development (R&D) is a specialized field that focuses on creating, testing, and improving food products, recipes, and cooking techniques. Professionals in this area work in various settings, such as food manufacturing companies, restaurants, and test kitchens, to innovate and develop new menu items or packaged foods. They blend culinary creativity with scientific principles to ensure products are safe, tasty, and marketable. Culinary R&D often involves collaborating with chefs, food scientists, and marketing teams to bring new food concepts to life.
What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary Research Development jobs in Georgia? The most popular types of Culinary Research Development jobs in Georgia are:
What are popular job titles related to Culinary Research Development jobs in Georgia? For Culinary Research Development jobs in Georgia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Georgia are hiring for Culinary Research Development jobs? Cities in Georgia with the most Culinary Research Development job openings:
Infographic showing various Culinary Research Development job openings in Georgia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $45,759 per year, or $22 per hour.
Director of Research & Development

Director of Research & Development

King & Prince Seafood Corp

Brunswick, GA • On-site

$170K - $190K/yr

Other

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Description

General Summary

The R&D Director is responsible for defining, leading and executing King & Prince Seafood's research and development strategy to foster innovation, build customer satisfaction and drive profitable business growth. This position leads the research and development team and partners with functions across the organization to ensure R&D objectives are met while delivering a robust and customer-centric innovation pipeline relevant to specific market segments.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Creates a positive and proactive safety culture. Demonstrates strong commitment and leadership to providing a sustainable, safe, and healthful work environment. Ensures full compliance with all applicable company and regulatory environmental, health and safety requirements.
  • Promotes, supports and ensures compliance with all food safety and quality practices, policies, and initiatives.
  • Creates and executes long-term research and development strategies and plans that support business objectives.
  • Manages and develops staff to optimize the contributions of each member toward innovation, product development and culinary goals and objectives.
  • Develops and manages a portfolio of project plans linked to key customer needs, product development strategies and multi-year platforms. 
  • Prioritizes projects & initiatives across innovation & reformulation, cost savings, supply redundancy, quality improvements, and regulatory changes.
  • Leads the R&D team in leveraging insights to identify and develop new products, projects and technologies to drive growth. 
  • Develops, tests and commercializes new value-added seafood products and processes.
  • Manages key R&D projects, processes and performance reports, data and analytics.
  • Deploys expertise in the areas of product formulation, flavor applications, ingredient interactions, analytical methods, statistical design of experiments, and commercial processing scale-up. 
  • Initiates and leads the new product development (NPD) process including development of new product specifications.
  • Leads cross-functional teams on strategic projects. Works cross-functionally to develop and implement improved products and processes.
  • Oversees the corporate chef and culinary function.
  • Develops and manages the department expense and capital budgets.
  • Maintains current knowledge of key technologies and developments in the food industry to ensure the team is equipped with the best knowledge and has access to relevant external expertise, technical institutes and facilities.
  • Analyzes and stays current with latest food trends, market research, developments in food science, and changes in technology through organizations such as IFT, RCA, and through relationships with vendors and universities. 
  • Promotes continuous improvement through on-going teaching and training opportunities; identifies and implements product quality improvements, line extensions, and cost savings optimizations. 

Requirements

  • B.S. degree in Food Science/Technology/Engineering, natural sciences, or closely related field
  • 7-10 years product development experience in the food industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role, and a demonstrated track record of success in R&D
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills
  • Ability to effectively collaborate and communicate cross-functionally, influence decisions and provide direction
  • Strong project management skills; set and manage project objectives, critical paths and timelines
  • Excellent organization and attention to detail
  • Ability to work under own initiative, comfortable setting goals, analyzing performance and course corrections as needed
  • Understanding of product development cycle from concept to commercialization including cost parameters and shelf life implications
  • Proficient with MS Office and data base software
  • Able to travel up to 20%, including internationally