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Director Of Product Development Jobs in Michigan

Socket.dev

$120 - $180/hr

The Director of Manufacturing and New Product Development position directs all manufacturing operations (on property and outsourced) through a team of functional managers and supervisors. Ensures ...

Greyson Clothiers

Product Development, Men's

Detroit, MI · On-site

$21 - $27/hr

Director of Product Development Primary Location: Detroit, MI Employment Status: Hybrid Position Overview: Greyson Clothiers is growing our Men's Product Development team and looking for great ...

New

pregis

Product Development Engineer

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

Product Development Engineer Anderson, SC Position Description Reporting to the VP of Technology ... of thin films * Must be able to successfully interact and communicate with others. * Self-Directed ...

Pregis

Product Development Engineer

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

Product Development Engineer Anderson, SC Position Description Reporting to the VP of Technology ... of thin films * Must be able to successfully interact and communicate with others. * Self-Directed ...

UFP Industries

Product Development Manager

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$110K - $137K/yr

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Industrial Designer / Product Development Manage with 5-7 years of experience leading product development and innovation ...

UFP Industries

Product Development Manager

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$110K - $137K/yr

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Industrial Designer / Product Development Manage with 5-7 years of experience leading product development and innovation ...

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How much do director of product development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of product development in Michigan is $142,667.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,600.00 and $161,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of product development do?

A Director of Product Development oversees the strategy, design, and execution of new products and improvements to existing products within a company. They collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, marketing, and sales, to ensure product initiatives align with business goals and customer needs. Their responsibilities typically include managing product roadmaps, setting timelines, allocating resources, and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. Additionally, they play a key role in identifying market opportunities and driving innovation to maintain a competitive edge.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of product development when aligning cross-functional teams?

A Director of Product Development often encounters challenges in ensuring effective communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams such as engineering, marketing, and sales. Balancing differing priorities and timelines while maintaining a unified product vision can be demanding. Successful directors proactively establish clear processes, set shared goals, and foster an environment where feedback is encouraged, helping teams stay aligned throughout the product lifecycle. These efforts are crucial for delivering products that meet both market demands and business objectives.

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

To thrive as a Director of Product Development, you need expertise in product strategy, lifecycle management, market research, and a background in business or engineering, often with an advanced degree and years of relevant experience. Familiarity with product management software (such as Jira or Aha!), agile development methodologies, and certifications like PMP or Agile Certified Practitioner are highly valued. Leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and strong communication skills make someone stand out in this role. These skills are essential for driving innovative product solutions, aligning teams, and ensuring successful product launches in a competitive market.

How much do director of product development make in the US?

The average salary for a Director of Product Development in the US is approximately $130,000 to $180,000 per year, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles with extensive experience or in high-cost areas can earn over $200,000 annually, often supplemented with bonuses and stock options.

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Product Development jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Of Product Development jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Director Of Product Development jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Director Of Product Development job openings:

Director Of Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Product Development job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,667 per year, or $68.6 per hour.

Director of Product Development

Request Foods

Holland, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Request Foods rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

56th of 443 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Position: Director of Product Development
Reports to: Senior Director of Sales
Department: Product Development
Location: Holland, M
There has never been a more exciting time to join Request Foods. We’ve been selling products to many of the world’s leading food companies, retailers and restaurants for over 35 years. A privately owned and financially sound company, we do our best to run our business based on Christian values. Whether it’s cooking up great tasting food, assisting in customer support, providing quality and production leadership, or supporting administrative or technical activities, a career at Request Foods is a great opportunity. At Request, we’ve achieved success by treating our employees with integrity, trust and respect. If you’re passionate about food, and the people who help produce it, then Request Foods might just be for you.
Request Foods is seeking a Director of Product Development that provides strategic and operational leadership for the end‑to‑end development, commercialization, and lifecycle management of frozen food products. This role oversees culinary innovation, food science, packaging engineering, and labeling amp; regulatory compliance, ensuring that products are innovative, manufacturable, compliant, and aligned with customer and business objectives. The Director leads a multidisciplinary team of culinary chefs, food scientists, packaging engineers, and regulatory/labeling professionals, serving as the primary cross‑functional partner to Operations, Quality amp; Food Safety, Engineering, Sales, and Supply Chain. Success in this role requires a balance of culinary creativity, technical rigor, regulatory expertise, and disciplined execution within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Essential Responsibilities:
Product Development amp; Innovation Leadership
  • Define and execute the product development strategy to support customer growth, innovation pipelines, and operational capabilities.
  • Lead new product development from concept through commercialization, ensuring products are scalable, cost‑effective, and operationally ready.
  • Partner with Sales and customers to translate concepts, briefs, and market needs into executable product solutions.
  • Maintain ownership of product specifications, formulas, and documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
Culinary amp; Food Science Oversight
  • Lead and develop a team of culinary chefs and food scientists responsible for formulation, benchtop development, plant trials, and commercialization support.
  • Ensure products meet taste, texture, appearance, and quality expectations while maintaining food safety and cost targets.
  • Support plant troubleshooting, reformulations, and continuous improvement initiatives for existing products.
Packaging Engineering Leadership
  • Provide strategic oversight of packaging engineering activities, including material selection, line compatibility, shelf life, and performance testing.
  • Ensure packaging solutions meet customer requirements, manufacturing capabilities, sustainability goals, and regulatory standards.
  • Partner with Operations and Engineering to support packaging trials, line validations, and equipment compatibility.
Labeling amp; Regulatory Compliance
  • Oversee labeling and regulatory compliance across all products, ensuring adherence to USDA, FDA, and customer‑specific requirements.
  • Ensure accurate nutritional labeling, ingredient statements, allergen declarations, and claims substantiation.
  • Stay current with regulatory changes and proactively assess impact to products, packaging, and documentation.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Serve as a key interface between Product Development, Quality, Food Safety, Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
  • Ensure smooth handoff from development to manufacturing with clear documentation, training, and operational readiness.
  • Support customer audits, technical reviews, and commercialization milestones.
People Leadership amp; Development
  • Build, lead, and mentor high‑performing teams across culinary, food science, packaging, and regulatory disciplines.
  • Establish clear performance expectations, development plans, and succession strategies.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Financial amp; Portfolio Management
  • Manage the Product Development budget, including labor, ingredients, trials, and capital support.
  • Prioritize the product development portfolio to maximize ROI, capacity alignment, and strategic impact.
  • Track key metrics related to speed‑to‑market, commercialization success, and product performance.
Key Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Food Technology, or related discipline.
  • 15+ years of progressive experience in product development within food manufacturing, preferably frozen foods.
  • Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams (culinary, food science, packaging, regulatory).
  • Strong understanding of USDA/FDA regulations, labeling requirements, and food safety systems.
  • Demonstrated success leading commercialization in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.
  • Advanced degree in Food Science or related field.
  • Experience in co‑manufacturing or customer‑driven product development models.
  • Familiarity with ERP systems, BOM management, and commercialization workflows.
Core Competencies:
  • Strategic innovation and execution
  • Regulatory and labeling expertise
  • Culinary and technical credibility
  • Cross‑functional influence
  • Financial and portfolio management
  • People development and change leadership
Benefits and Perks:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401k
  • Paid Paternity Leave
  • Wellbeing programs
  • Immediate Holiday Pay
  • Paid Time Off
  • Profit Sharing

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