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Entry Level Food Product Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ProAmpac

Engineer - Product Development

Clinton, MO · On-site

The Product Development Engineer operates under the direction of Product Development Director. This ... Report food safety concerns. * Remove from operation any machine deemed unsafe and immediately ...

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Entry Level Food Product Development information

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

As of Jun 27, 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.

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.

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 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.
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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:
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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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,854 per year, or $24.9 per hour.
Product Development Scientist

Product Development Scientist

Johnsonville

Sheboygan Falls, WI

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Johnsonville rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

75th of 388 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Johnsonville Location: Tech Center

Johnsonville's research & development (R&D) team is where our commitment to innovation has a distinctly scientific flavor. As a member of our R&D team, you'll be responsible for continually finding new ways to improve upon current Johnsonville products and develop new ones. You and your teammates will use the latest consumer trend data to bring new and exciting flavors to the marketplace. You may also have opportunities to work with regulatory and other experts to design new and innovative packaging for our products.

Position Overview

Johnsonville has an excellent opportunity for an outstanding individual to join us as a key member of our Product Development Team. Your primary responsibility will be to drive significant business growth and profitability by enabling Johnsonville to develop and commercialize products that meet critical to quality criteria through formula, process and equipment optimization.

In this role, you will:

  • Work as part of an agile Research & Development Team to optimize or develop existing and new products or processes from concept to commercialization
  • Overcome technical hurdles by integrating meat science, meat processing, food safety and consumer insight concepts that advance product and process performance of RTE and fresh meat products
  • Interact and develop strong relationships with other members from Marketing, Operations, Food Safety and Quality, Engineering, R&D, and Supply Chain.
Responsibilities
  • Build superior products and processes by leveraging your knowledge and skill sets in product development, meat/food science, food chemistry, processing, packaging and manufacturing. It is expected that you continuously develop your competencies in these areas so that you are able to make significant contributions to the development of new products and/or extend-the-gap on quality of existing products
  • Enable production facilities to make products that are within specification and address formulation and processing parameters that are critical to quality.
  • Challenge your ability as a technical member on multiple cross-functional teams and expect to contribute to productivity, flexible formulation, and development projects through concept to commercialization.
  • Leverage your network of industry, academic and vendor relationships to help guide rapid development and solve problems
  • Expand your skills as a communicator through written and oral communication by working effectively with all levels within the organization so that business needs are met
  • Become recognized within Johnsonville and the food industry as a world class Food (Meat) Scientist because of your accomplishments, continuous learning, and leadership abilities
Education
  • Master's Degree or higher (Ph. D preferred) in Animal or Food Science with a meat science emphasis required
Experience
  • Meat industry experience (3 years) in product development of prepared refrigerated/frozen foods preferred; experience in fresh and ready-to-eat red meat/poultry is a plus
  • Experience working with a wide range of proteins in both fresh and ready-to-eat formats including formulation, processing, knowledge of shelf life, food safety requirements and recommendation of packaging structures required
  • Knowledge of USDA/FDA regulations and standards beneficial
Skills
  • Drive for results
  • Comfortable with ambiguity, calculated risk taking, fast pace & change management
  • Ability to communicate details to both technical and non-technical members for fact-based decision making
  • Demonstrated ability to overcome technical barriers in a manner that achieves a product's critical to quality attributes while managing cost pressures
  • Analytical (gathers critical data to help the organization make informed decisions)
Other Requirements

Travel: Up to 30% of your time

Benefits and Compensation

Members have potential for a monthly bonus and 401k with a company match. Members also have access to terrific benefits including affordable medical, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; disability and life insurance; and fertility and adoption assistance. Johnsonville also offers competitive paid time off, including paid parental time off, as well as access to the 24/7 onsite fitness center, and onsite medical clinic! Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the country where this job is located, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

#JVLIND

About our Company

Since 1945, our family-owned band of sausage-makers has invented better ways to make, eat and prepare crave-able sausage.  Today, we are 4,000+ Members strong.  We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries.  We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally.  We call it The Johnsonville Way.  It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself!

Johnsonville is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability. 

We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.

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