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Director Food Research Development Jobs in Michigan

BEL

Senior R&D Scientist

Grawn, MI · On-site

$100K - $127K/yr

Research / Development / Innovation Type of contract: Unlimited-term Working mode: On-site work Job ... Lead development, validation, and commercialization of new food products, recipes, processes, and ...

Bel

Senior R&D Scientist

Traverse City, MI

$90K - $100K/yr

Traverse City, MI; and Nampa, ID. #IWorkForAllForGood Summary The Senior R&D Scientist leads the development, validation, and commercialization of new food products, recipes, processes, and product ...

Yazaki

Specialist, Supplier Development

Canton, MI · On-site

Yazaki is a global leader in the research, development, and delivery of vehicle power and data ... Hands-on, practical experience * Direct exposure to and guidance from industry experts

Yazaki

Specialist, Supplier Development

Canton, MI · On-site

Yazaki is a global leader in the research, development, and delivery of vehicle power and data ... Hands-on, practical experience * Direct exposure to and guidance from industry experts

Kalsec, Inc.

Senior Scientist - Color Innovation

Kalamazoo, MI · On-site

$86K - $118K/yr

Experience in food R&D with demonstrated work in product development, ingredient functionality, or ... Direct experience with natural colors, including anthocyanins, carotenoids, turmeric, spirulina ...

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Director Food Research Development information

What does a director of food research and development do?

A Director of Food Research and Development oversees the creation and improvement of food products within a company. They lead teams of scientists, technologists, and product developers to innovate new recipes, enhance food safety, and ensure products meet quality and regulatory standards. This role involves managing research projects, collaborating with marketing and production teams, and staying up-to-date on industry trends to drive product success in the marketplace.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of food research and development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Food Research and Development, you need advanced expertise in food science, product development, and regulatory compliance, often supported by a degree in food science or a related field and significant industry experience. Familiarity with R&D project management tools, food safety systems like HACCP, and quality assurance certifications such as SQF or ISO 22000 is typically required. Strategic leadership, creativity, and strong cross-functional communication skills help drive innovation and successful team collaboration. These competencies are vital for ensuring safe, marketable products and leading teams to deliver results in a competitive food industry.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of food research and development, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Food Research and Development often encounters challenges such as aligning innovative product development with regulatory compliance, managing cross-functional teams, and balancing creativity with cost-effectiveness. Navigating shifting consumer preferences and ensuring timely launches can also be complex. Success in this role requires strong project management skills, effective communication with marketing, quality assurance, and production teams, and staying updated on industry trends and food safety standards.

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

AspectDirector Food Research DevelopmentFood 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, research-focused
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturing, large food companies, R&D divisionsFood companies, research institutions, product development teams

The main difference is that a Director Food Research Development oversees R&D strategies and manages teams, while a Food Scientist conducts research and develops new food products. The director has more leadership responsibilities, whereas the scientist focuses on technical research and experimentation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Research Development jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Food Research Development jobs in Michigan are:

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

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

What job categories do people searching Director Food Research Development jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Food Research Development jobs in Michigan are:

Director Food Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Food Research Development job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Research Development Writer & Strategist - Department of Oncology

Detroit, MI • On-site

Wayne State University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 5 - 10K employees

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

290th of 627 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by parents

Learn more about Wayne State Universityexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Research Development Writer & Strategist - Department of Oncology
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Development Writer & Strategist - Department of Oncology at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
The Research Development Writer & Strategist plays a critical role in advancing the research mission of the institution by transforming complex scientific concepts into clear, compelling, and accessible content for diverse audiences. This professional will be responsible for writing, editing, and curating a variety of scientific materials, including research papers, grant proposals, technical reports and educational content such as brochures, presentations, and digital resources. The position serves as a vital bridge between researchers and leadership, translating technical data into narratives that support research growth, funding success and community engagement and will directly contribute to strategic initiatives that increase institutional competitiveness and research capacity. The position reports to Karmanos Cancer Institute Deputy Director.
Write and edit scientific documents including research manuscripts, grant proposals, technical reports and supporting materials such as abstracts, bio-sketches, and letters of support.
Provide editorial support for grant applications, ensuring clarity, coherence, adherence to agency guidelines and compelling narrative structure for competitive submissions; coordinate institutionally limited submissions and internal funding efforts and provide high-quality proposal development services, including content editing, layout, and visual design.
Collaborate with faculty and research teams to gather technical information, clarify scientific concepts, and ensure content accuracy and consistency across communications.
Create and design educational and communication materials such as brochures, presentations, infographics, and web content to support internal and external research initiatives.
Develop and maintain templates, style guides, and other tools to enhance the efficiency and consistency of proposal development and research communications.
Participate in the development of online resources and writing tools to guide faculty through the proposal preparation process.
Organize, facilitate, and support strategy meetings and workshops focused on proposal planning, team science, strategic planning and professional development in scientific writing and communication; help develop online tools and resources to enhance proposal preparation and collaboration across programs.
Manage multiple writing projects simultaneously, balancing deadlines and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to meet institutional research goals.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Unique duties:
Expertise in bioinformatics.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in scientific discipline or science communication.= required. Advanced degree (e.g., PhD) preferred.

Experience: Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)
  • Experience writing and editing scientific or technical documents (e.g., manuscripts, grant proposals, research summaries, technical reports).

  • Experience supporting large, interdisciplinary grant applications, including those submitted to agencies such as the NIH, NSF, DoD and various foundations preferred.

  • Previous experience in a research development office or an academic research support environment preferred.

  • Experience using AI-powered tools for tasks such as grammar refinement, citation management, and concept mapping preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
  • Knowledge of federal and foundation funding mechanisms, particularly institutionally limited submissions, and internal seed funding programs.

  • Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific information into clear, concise, and engaging language suitable for diverse audiences.

  • Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, with strong attention to accuracy, grammar, style, and consistency.

  • Strong organizational abilities and effective skills and able to manage multiple projects, meet tight deadlines and work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and document formatting tools.

  • Working knowledge of graphics tools such as Adobe Illustrator, PowerPoint design features, and Canva to assist with visual storytelling in scientific proposals.

  • Working knowledge of citation and reference management software such as EndNote and Zotero.

  • Working knowledge of artificial intelligence tools and applications that enhance scientific writing, including platforms used for content generation, literature summarization, data visualization, and proposal development.

  • Knowledge of current AI trends in research communication, including the responsible use of AI in scientific content creation and review.

  • Able to interact effectively with researchers, administrators, and cross-functional teams.

  • Working knowledge of scientific publishing standards and grant writing conventions.

Preferred qualifications:
School/College/Division:
H06 - School of Medicine
Primary department:
H0632 - Oncology
Employment type:
  • Regular Employee
  • Job type: Full Time
  • Job category: Research
Funding/salary information:
  • Compensation type: Annual Salary
Working conditions:
Normal office environment.
Job openings:
  • Number of openings: 1
  • Reposted position: No
  • Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
  • Prior posting/requisition number:
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

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