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Director Food Scientist Jobs in Downers Grove, IL

Stefanini

Food Scientist

Glenview, IL · On-site

... trials to achieve above Direct interface w/ Business, Operations and Quality partners on ... A Food Science degree or Masters with 6-10 years' experience. Product development experience Degree ...

JSK Recruiting, Inc

Sr Food Scientist

Addison, IL · Hybrid

$110K - $130K/yr

Senior Food Scientist - Product Development Location: Addison, IL Compensation: $110,000-$130,000 ... Direct involvement in customer-facing activities including sales presentations, facility tours, and ...

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Director Food Scientist information

See Downers Grove, IL salary details

$36.9K

$90.8K

$159.6K

How much do director food scientist jobs pay per year?

As of May 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for director food scientist in Downers Grove, IL is $90,750.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,800.00 and $99,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Food Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Food Scientist, you need advanced knowledge in food science, product development, and regulatory compliance, typically supported by a master's or PhD in food science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory analysis tools, food safety management systems (like HACCP), and industry-specific software is essential. Strategic thinking, leadership, and effective communication are standout soft skills for managing cross-functional teams and driving innovation. These skills ensure product quality, regulatory adherence, and competitive advantage in the food industry.

How does a Director Food Scientist typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product innovation?

A Director Food Scientist regularly works with cross-functional teams such as marketing, regulatory, quality assurance, and manufacturing to bring new food products from concept to launch. This collaboration ensures that scientific developments align with market trends, comply with regulations, and can be efficiently scaled for production. Effective communication and project management skills are essential, as the Director often leads meetings, sets timelines, and integrates feedback from various stakeholders to refine formulations and processes.

What does a Director Food Scientist do?

A Director Food Scientist leads research and development teams in creating and improving food products, ensuring they meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards. They oversee the entire product development process, from concept to commercialization, and collaborate with cross-functional teams such as marketing, production, and quality assurance. In this role, they also stay informed about food industry trends, manage budgets, and guide strategic innovation within their organization.

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

AspectDirector Food ScientistFood Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Food Science, often with leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Food Science or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D, product development, and managementResearch labs, product testing, and development teams
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturing companies, large food corporationsFood companies, research institutions, regulatory agencies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for leadership and strategic rolesFocused on technical research and product formulation

The main difference between a Director Food Scientist and a Food Scientist lies in their responsibilities and seniority. The Director Food Scientist typically oversees teams, manages projects, and sets strategic goals, while the Food Scientist focuses on research, product development, and technical tasks. Both roles require a strong background in food science, but the director position involves more leadership and management duties.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Scientist jobs in Downers Grove, IL? The most popular types of Food Scientist jobs in Downers Grove, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Food Scientist jobs in Downers Grove, IL? For Director Food Scientist jobs in Downers Grove, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Food Scientist jobs in Downers Grove, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Director Food Scientist jobs in Downers Grove, IL are:
What cities near Downers Grove, IL are hiring for Director Food Scientist jobs? Cities near Downers Grove, IL with the most Director Food Scientist job openings:
Director Food Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Food Scientist job openings in Downers Grove, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,750 per year, or $43.6 per hour.

Food Scientist

Stefanini

Glenview, IL • On-site

Contractor

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Company Description

We help Procurement and Recruiting departments faced with the challenge of filling multiple IT-related openings for either long-term employment, or short-term projects. They need to find reliable candidates, with the right expertise, quickly and at the right cost to enable their company to remain competitive, and to increase profit and efficiency.


Stefanini provides the IT contract resources you need to implement crucial projects, handle short-term assignments, or fulfill long-term placements. Our IT staffing services free you from the challenges of finding, recruiting, training and retaining high-quality professional staff, and allow you to focus on managing your business growth.


We provide the ongoing skill development to ensure that professionals placed at your site are trained in leading technologies to support your information technology hardware, software, and network infrastructure. Augment your staff for short or long-term engagements, or for specialized expertise on specific projects.


We have more than 25 years of staffing industry knowledge and can provide you with superior

candidates to match your technical and professional needs.

Job Description

Performs quality testing, research and development of new and/or existing products. Modification of standard products, regulatory supervision of products and data analysis generally in the food, beverage, flavors, and chemical industries. May develop or modify internal SOPs. Responsible for qualifying multiple flavors/ingredients from several suppliers that impact finished goods in the Cheese & Dairy, Enhancers, or M&D BU within a 12 month timeframe. Job complexity involves heavy collaboration with suppliers to qualify flavors/ingredients in products and synergizing with multiple BUs that share the same flavor. 

Qualifications

Ability to work independently under the direction of senior Scientists/Engineers leveraging strong problem solving skills. 

Conduct bench top and pilot plant product development. 

Updates to supplier specifications and general spec maintenance 

Plan and execute experiments, interpret and report results, and recommend next steps. 

Support processing initiatives at the plant. 

Evaluate and utilize technical information from external and internal sources to support productivity initiatives 

Conduct plant trials to achieve above 

Direct interface w/ Business, Operations and Quality partners on initiatives from defining project goals through commercialization. 

Develop and Execute commercialization plans 

Works well in a team and is able to collaborate with Manager and others in the organization 

experience with Meridian a big plus ,Matrix, Infinity Experience would be great Food Background


Additional Information

Requirements:


A Food Science degree or Masters with 6-10 years' experience.

Product development experience 

Degree in Food Science preferred

BU experience a big plus with Multiple BU's


Apply