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Director Food Research Development Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Talnt

Food Scientist

Akron, OH · On-site

$70K - $95K/hr

About the Role The Food Scientist plays a key role within Research & Development by developing, formulating, testing, and optimizing innovative food, beverage, nutraceutical, and dietary supplement ...

First Solar

Device Research Manager

Perrysburg, OH

$131K - $187K/yr

Lead CdTe photovoltaic absorber research and development. * Develop and deploy new manufacturable ... Reports to Development Director. * Will have direct reports. Travel: * 0% - 5% (On occasion/as ...

First Solar Inc.

Device Research Manager

Perrysburg, OH · On-site

$131 - $187/hr

Reporting Relationships Reports to Development Director. Will have direct reports. Travel * 0 ... Job Category Advanced Research * Posting Date 06/19/2026, 12:26 PM * Locations 28101 Cedar Park ...

First Solar

Device Research Manager

Perrysburg, OH · On-site

$131K - $187K/yr

Lead CdTe photovoltaic absorber research and development. * Develop and deploy new manufacturable ... Reports to Development Director. * Will have direct reports. Travel: * 0% - 5% (On occasion/as ...

Nestle

R&D Development Chef (Pasta, Pizza, Dough)

Solon, OH

$15.25 - $17.75/hr

Position reports to R&D Category Director, who together with the Global Concept & Development Kitchen Lead for NPTC Food will provide an onboarding plan, and ongoing coaching and development support.

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All JobsFood Research Development JobsDirector Food Research Development JobsDirector Food Research Development Jobs in Ohio

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 Ohio?

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

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

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

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

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

What cities in Ohio are hiring for Director Food Research Development jobs?

Cities in Ohio with the most Director Food Research Development job openings:

Director Food Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Food Research Development job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, and 98% Full Time. Highlights an 96% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

VP of R&D - Frozen food CPG

Hunter the Head Hunter

Columbus, OH

$180K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead end-to-end product development from concept through commercialization across multiple manufacturing sites.

  • Build and manage a product pipeline, translating consumer insights and market trends into scalable products.

  • Oversee food safety, microbiology, regulatory compliance, and process development to ensure product quality and operational efficiency.

Job description

Position Overview

The Vice President of Research & Development is responsible for setting and executing the company’s enterprise-wide innovation and product development strategy across a multi-site food manufacturing network. This role drives both top-line growth and operational performance through disciplined commercialization, portfolio management, and scalable product development.

This leader will oversee the full R&D function, including product development, process development, food safety/microbiology, and regulatory, while building a high-performing organization aligned to business objectives. The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of technical expertise, commercialization leadership, and general management capability within a complex food manufacturing environment.

Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Innovation
  • Define and execute a long-range R&D and innovation strategy aligned with company growth targets
  • Build and manage a robust product pipeline across branded, private label, and customer-specific initiatives
  • Translate consumer insights and market trends into commercially viable, scalable products
  • Partner with executive leadership to align innovation priorities with financial and operational goals
Product Development & Commercialization
  • Lead end-to-end product development from concept through commercialization across multiple manufacturing sites
  • Drive disciplined stage-gate processes, ensuring speed to market, cost targets, and margin expectations are achieved
  • Oversee formulation, scale-up, and process optimization to ensure consistent product quality and manufacturability
  • Implement systems to improve commercialization success rates, reduce errors, and increase execution speed
Operational & Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Sales to ensure seamless product launches and execution
  • Support plant operations through process development, cost savings initiatives, and technical problem-solving
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives tied to margin improvement, complexity reduction, and operational efficiency
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing R&D organization across multiple disciplines (product development, process, regulatory, microbiology)
  • Establish clear structure, accountability, and performance metrics across the team
  • Drive a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
  • Develop internal talent and long-term succession planning within the R&D function
Technical & Functional Excellence
  • Oversee food safety, microbiology, and regulatory functions to ensure compliance and risk mitigation
  • Lead ingredient strategy, formulation optimization, and clean label initiatives
  • Establish best practices in product and process development, including pilot plant and scale-up capabilities
  • Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and industry advancements to enhance competitive positioning
Financial & Business Impact
  • Own and manage R&D budgets, capital investments, and resource allocation
  • Drive measurable business impact through innovation (volume growth, margin expansion, cost savings)
  • Implement KPI-driven management of pipeline performance, commercialization success, and ROI
Required Experience & Background
  • 15+ years of progressive R&D experience within food or CPG manufacturing
  • 10+ years of leadership experience, including oversight of multi-functional R&D teams
  • Proven experience leading large-scale commercialization efforts across multiple plants
  • Demonstrated success driving innovation tied to measurable business outcomes (volume, margin, cost savings)
  • Experience in high-volume, complex food categories (e.g., frozen, sauces, dressings, prepared foods, etc.)
  • Strong background in process development, scale-up, and manufacturing integration
  • Experience building and leading organizations (team design, restructuring, capability build-out)
Preferred Experience
  • Experience supporting both foodservice and retail channels
  • Background in multi-site or global manufacturing environments
  • Experience leading innovation centers, pilot plants, or technical centers of excellence
  • Exposure to licensed brands, private label, or co-manufacturing models
Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field required
  • Advanced degree preferred