ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Food Product Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Trillium Foods

Product Development Manager

Brundidge, AL · On-site

$105K - $132K/yr

The ideal candidate will lead the development of innovative food products across sweet and savory liquid categories--from benchtop formulation through commercial production--ensuring products meet ...

Humetis Group

Product Development Scientist

Chicago, IL · On-site

In this role, you will play a key part in delivering high-quality, consumer-focused food products by applying strong scientific principles to product, process, and packaging development. You will ...

Wise Staffing Group

Cafeteria Cook

Athens, TN · On-site

$14/hr

Now Hiring: Entry Level Food Production Clerks in Athens, TN Do you have a passion for working with food and a desire to join a dynamic team? We are currently looking for motivated individuals to ...

FOODMatch

Product Development Coordinator

New York, NY

$26.25 - $32.75/hr

Experience in food product development, project coordination, sourcing, or a related food industry role preferred. * Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business, Supply Chain, or a ...

FOODMatch

Product Development Coordinator

New York, NY · On-site

$26.25 - $32.75/hr

Experience in food product development, project coordination, sourcing, or a related food industry role preferred. * Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business, Supply Chain, or a ...

FOODMatch

Product Development Coordinator

New York, NY

$26.25 - $32.75/hr

Experience in food product development, project coordination, sourcing, or a related food industry role preferred. * Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Business, Supply Chain, or a ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFood Product Development JobsEntry Level Food Product Development Jobs

Entry Level Food Product Development information

See salary details

$14

$24

$42

How much do entry level food product development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level food product development in the United States is $24.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $26.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Food Product Development professional, and why are they important?

To thrive in Entry Level Food Product Development, you need a background in food science, nutrition, or a related field, along with knowledge of food safety and quality standards. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, sensory evaluation methods, and data analysis software like Excel or specialized food industry tools is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong teamwork skills help you generate innovative products and work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure the successful creation, testing, and launch of safe, appealing, and marketable food products.

Where would you start as an entry level job in the food industry?

An entry-level food product development role typically begins with supporting senior staff in tasks such as ingredient testing, recipe formulation, and quality control. Candidates often need basic knowledge of food science, good communication skills, and may start in related positions like lab technician or production assistant to gain relevant experience.

What are entry level food product development jobs?

Entry level food product development jobs are positions for individuals who are starting their careers in creating and improving food products. These roles often involve working with food scientists and technologists to help formulate new food items, conduct sensory testing, and ensure food safety and quality standards. Typical tasks include assisting in recipe development, preparing samples, running experiments, and documenting results. These positions usually require a degree in food science, nutrition, or a related field and offer valuable experience in the food industry.

How to get into food R&D?

To enter food R&D as an entry-level food product developer, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in food science, nutrition, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships, developing knowledge of food safety standards, and learning to use product development tools like sensory analysis and formulation software can improve prospects. Strong problem-solving skills and familiarity with industry regulations are also beneficial.

What is the difference between Entry Level Food Product Development vs Food Technologist?

AspectEntry Level Food Product DevelopmentFood Technologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Food Science or related fieldBachelor's in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field
Work EnvironmentProduct development labs, R&D departmentsManufacturing plants, quality control labs
Employer & Industry UsageFood companies, startups, R&D firmsFood manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory agencies

Entry Level Food Product Development focuses on creating new food products and improving existing ones, often working in R&D labs. Food Technologists typically handle quality control, testing, and ensuring products meet safety standards. While both roles require a food science background, Entry Level Food Product Development emphasizes innovation, whereas Food Technologists focus on compliance and quality assurance.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Entry level food product development roles typically do not pay $4,000 a week without significant experience or specialized skills. High-paying jobs in this field usually require advanced education, extensive industry experience, or managerial responsibilities. Most positions at this pay level are found in senior or specialized roles that often demand a degree or equivalent expertise.

What are some of the common challenges faced by entry level professionals in food product development, and how can they overcome them?

Entry level food product development professionals often face challenges such as adapting to fast-paced project timelines, balancing creativity with strict food safety and regulatory requirements, and effectively communicating with cross-functional teams like marketing, quality assurance, and production. To overcome these challenges, it’s important to stay organized, seek mentorship from experienced colleagues, and actively participate in team meetings to understand different perspectives. Building a strong foundation in food science principles and staying updated on industry trends will also help you contribute valuable ideas and grow within the team.

How to get into food product development?

To enter food product development as an entry-level professional, gaining a degree in food science, nutrition, or a related field is essential. Developing skills in food formulation, sensory evaluation, and using product development tools like CAD or lab equipment can improve job prospects; internships or entry-level positions in food companies also provide valuable experience.
More about Entry Level Food Product Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Food Product Development jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Food Product Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Product Development jobs? The most popular types of Food Product Development jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Food Product Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Food Product Development jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Food Product Development jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Food Product Development jobs are:
Entry Level Food Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Food Product Development job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,854 per year, or $24.9 per hour.

Food Product Development Scientist

United Petfood Producers USA Inc.

Mishawaka, IN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Entry-Level Nutritionist

Location: Mishawaka, IN

Department: Procurement

Reports to: Quality Manager

Job Type: Full-time

About United Petfood:

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US.

Joining us, means joining an international, passionate and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there: we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a spot in which you can grow, bloom and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!

Job Summary:

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Entry-Level Nutritionist to join our team. This individual will support the development and implementation of nutrition programs and strategies, with a focus on optimizing the health and performance of pets. The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in the feed industry and possess a solid foundation in nutritional science.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Nutritional Analysis: Assist in analyzing and evaluating the nutritional content of feed ingredients and formulations to ensure they meet the required standards.
  • Product Development: Support the development of new pet food products and formulations, ensuring they are nutritionally balanced and meet market demands as well as AAFCO regulations.
  • Research and Data Collection: Conduct research on nutritional trends, new ingredients, and innovations in the pet food industry. Collect and analyze data to support nutrition projects.
  • Quality Control: Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of pet food quality to ensure compliance with nutritional standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Technical Support: Provide technical support to sales and marketing teams by preparing nutritional information and answering customer queries.
  • Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of nutritional data, formulations, and research findings. Prepare reports and presentations as required.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, including production, and quality assurance, to support the implementation of nutrition programs and initiatives.
  • Field Support: Participate in field visits and trials to monitor the performance of pet food products and gather feedback from customers and stakeholders.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Food Science, or a related field.
  • Basic understanding of animal nutrition principles and feed formulation.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience or internship in the feed or pet food industry.
  • Familiarity with pet food formulation software.
  • Knowledge of pet food manufacturing processes and quality control standards.
  • Understanding of regulatory requirements related to animal feed.
  • Strong interest in ongoing learning and professional development in the field of animal nutrition.

Working Conditions:

  • Full-time position with occasional travel to production facilities, research sites, and customer locations.
  • Work primarily in an office setting with some fieldwork and laboratory activities.

Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.