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Director Food Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AEG

Director, Food & Beverage

Port Saint Lucie, FL · On-site

... golf courses, research, education, licensing and advisory services. Working in a fun and ... The Director of Food & Beverage provides strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of a food ...

NYULMC

Hospital Director, Food & Nutrition

New York, NY · On-site

... vast research enterprise with over $1 billion in active awards from the National Institutes of ... We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Hospital Director, Food & Nutrition Ser. In ...

Danone

Packaging Director, Food & Beverage

Louisville, CO · Hybrid

$146K - $210K/yr

About the Job The Research & Innovation Director of Food/Beverage Packaging co-leads with the VP of packaging the vision, strategy, and endtoend execution of consumercentric, futureforward packaging ...

Danone

Packaging Director, Food & Beverage

Louisville, CO · On-site

$146K - $210K/yr

Short Intro and About the Job The Research & Innovation Director of Food/Beverage Packaging co-leads with the VP of packaging the vision, strategy, and end-to-end execution of consumer-centric ...

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Director Food Research information

See salary details

$57.5K

$191.3K

$230.5K

How much do director food research jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for director food research in the United States is $191,320.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,500.00 and $229,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Food Research vs Food Scientist?

AspectDirector Food ResearchFood Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's/PhD in Food Science or related field, leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Food Science or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D departments, strategic planningLaboratory and product development settings
Industry UsageUsed in large food companies, R&D divisionsCommon across food manufacturing, research labs
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in food researchTechnical research and product development

The main difference between a Director Food Research and a Food Scientist lies in their responsibilities and seniority. The Director oversees research strategies and manages teams, requiring leadership experience, while the Food Scientist focuses on technical research and product development. Both roles are integral to food innovation but differ in scope and level of responsibility.

What are popular job titles related to Director Food Research jobs?

For Director Food Research jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Director Food Research job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $191,320 per year, or $92 per hour.

Entry level FOOD R&D Associate (Food Manufacture)(CA/YM)

Garden Grove, CA • On-site

Activ8 Recruitment & Solutions
Human Resources Consulting Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Activ8 Recruitment & Solutionsexternal

$14.25 - $18.50/hr

Other

Retirement

Posted 8 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Support product development, commercialization, and maintenance of plant-based food products.

  • Plan, design, and conduct experiments related to new product development, process improvement, and product maintenance, and communicate results to management.

  • Support commercialization activities such as scale-up, production trials, process validation, and technology transfer to manufacturing.

Job description

A food manufacturing company is looking for an Entry-Level Food R&D Associate to join their team in Garden Grove, CA. A bachelor’s degree in FOOD SCIENCE is required. Up to 2 years' R&D, QC work experience in food product development, food manufacturing, or related field is required. This position is responsible for supporting product development, commercialization, and maintenance of plant-based food products. Also, contributes to innovation, problem-solving, and implementation of new technologies through collaboration with internal stakeholders and external partners. This is a full-time, in-person, position with excellent benefits, including 401K.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm



Entry-Level Food R&D Associate Duties:

-Plan, design, and conduct experiments related to new product development, process improvement, commercialization support, and product maintenance with minimal supervision. Organize and analyze data and communicate project progress and experimental results to management.

-Support product maintenance activities, including formula updates, ingredient substitutions, quality improvements, cost optimization, and regulatory compliance.

-Support commercialization activities, including scale-up, production trials, process validation, and technology transfer to manufacturing.

-Provide technical support and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Development, Marketing, Sales, QC/QA, Production, and SCM

-Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements related to processing, products, labeling, product claims, and advertising.

-Conduct shelf-life studies, sensory evaluations, and analytical testing of new and existing products.

-Research consumer trends, market opportunities, emerging technologies, and ingredients to support concept development and innovation initiatives.

-Develop product formulas that meet nutritional, regulatory, quality, food safety, and cost requirements



Entry-Level Food R&D Associate Skills:

-Must have a bachelor's degree in FOOD SCIENCE

-Up to 2 years' R&D, QC work experience in food product development, food manufacturing, or related field is required.

-Basic knowledge of FDA, USDA, and other regulatory requirements

-Basic knowledge of nutrition, chemistry, microbiology and statistics

-Familiarity of equipment for analytical testing and scientific lab procedures

-Experience with plant-based foods, dairy alternatives, or protein-based products is a plus

-Experience with laboratory testing and data analysis is preferred



****If interested, please apply with your most updated resume including your minimum salary requirement and why you left/or are looking to leave your current company. ****

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Activ8 West- Los Angeles (Japanese Recruiting Company) Recruitment & Solutions / Renaissance Resources Inc., has been a trusted leader in North American recruiting for Japanese businesses for over 25 years. We specialize in connecting top talent with companies in the Automotive, Electronics, Food & Beverage, Logistics, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Banking & Finance, and Entertainment industries. Our client-focused approach ensures that we understand your unique needs, whether you’re a company seeking skilled professionals or a candidate looking for the right career opportunity. By working closely with each individual, we provide tailored solutions that drive success.

We screen ALL Candidates to verify the validity of each applicant's provided information. Upon submitting your resume, we will contact only those candidates that we deem qualified for our client. If we do not contact you, we do not see the fit for the position. If we are unable to reach you in a reasonable timeframe, you will be eliminated from the pool of potential candidates. We prioritize direct applicants; third-party resumes may not be reviewed.

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