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Food Innovation Manager Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

... innovation. To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife ... Preferred: experience in food & beverage, dairy, regulated manufacturing, startup/greenfield ...

... innovation. To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife ... Preferred: experience in food & beverage, dairy, regulated manufacturing, startup/greenfield ...

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple ... innovation and Continuous Improvement at the site, is a champion of Change Management to support ...

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple ... innovation and Continuous Improvement at the site, is a champion of Change Management to support ...

Sr Mechanical Product Manager

Palmyra, NY · On-site

$130K - $172K/yr

Focus on creating value, driving innovation, and continuously improving how we work. Respect ... food and pharma, photonics and life sciences. The company operates in two segments: Sealing ...

Sr Mechanical Product Manager

Palmyra, NY · On-site

$130K - $172K/yr

Focus on creating value, driving innovation, and continuously improving how we work. Respect ... food and pharma, photonics and life sciences. The company operates in two segments: Sealing ...

Environmental Health & Safety Manager

Rochester, NY · On-site

$81K - $111K/yr

IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We ... Career development opportunities within a global organization committed to innovation and ...

New

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple ... innovation and Continuous Improvement at the site, is a champion of Change Management to support ...

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple ... innovation and Continuous Improvement at the site, is a champion of Change Management to support ...

Human Resources Manager

Batavia, NY · On-site

$98K - $110K/yr

Our culture is built on value commitments to innovation, quality, results, integrity, community ... Founded in 1846, today HP Hood is one of the largest and most trusted food and beverage ...

Human Resources Manager

Batavia, NY · On-site

$98K - $110K/yr

Our culture is built on value commitments to innovation, quality, results, integrity, community ... Founded in 1846, today HP Hood is one of the largest and most trusted food and beverage ...

... reliability, and innovation. Our multidisciplinary team of 70+ engineers, designers, and ... We serve industries ranging from traditional and green energy to chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food ...

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple ... Drives innovation and Continuous Improvement at the site, is a champion of Change Management to ...

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple ... Drives innovation and Continuous Improvement at the site, is a champion of Change Management to ...

Showing results 21-40

Food Innovation Manager information

See Rochester, NY salary details

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$40

How much do food innovation manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for food innovation manager in Rochester, NY is $21.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $23.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Food Innovation Manager do?

A Food Innovation Manager is responsible for developing and implementing new food products, processes, or technologies within a company. They lead cross-functional teams to research market trends, identify consumer needs, and oversee the creation and launch of innovative food items. Their role involves collaborating with chefs, food scientists, marketing teams, and suppliers to ensure products are both creative and commercially viable. They also monitor industry developments to keep their company at the forefront of food trends and innovation.

What are the typical cross-functional collaborations for a Food Innovation Manager, and how do they impact daily work?

Food Innovation Managers regularly collaborate with teams such as R&D, marketing, supply chain, and quality assurance. These interactions are essential for aligning product development with market trends, ensuring feasibility in production, and maintaining compliance with food safety standards. Daily activities often involve joint meetings, brainstorming sessions, and coordinating timelines to bring innovative products from concept to launch. Successful collaboration helps streamline processes, fosters creative solutions, and accelerates time-to-market for new products.

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

To thrive as a Food Innovation Manager, you need expertise in food science, product development, and market trend analysis, often supported by a degree in food technology, culinary arts, or a related field. Familiarity with food safety regulations, sensory analysis tools, and product lifecycle management software is typically required. Creativity, project management, and strong communication skills help drive successful cross-functional collaboration and innovative product launches. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing market-ready food products that meet consumer demands and regulatory standards.

What is the difference between Food Innovation Manager vs Food Product Developer?

AspectFood Innovation ManagerFood Product Developer
Primary FocusOversees innovation strategies, explores new food concepts, manages R&D teamsDesigns, develops, and tests new food products
Required SkillsInnovation management, project coordination, food science knowledgeFood formulation, product testing, culinary skills
Work EnvironmentCorporate R&D, innovation labs, cross-functional teamsProduct development labs, manufacturing facilities
Common EmployersFood companies, FMCG brands, innovation consultanciesFood manufacturing companies, startups, R&D centers

While both roles involve food development, the Food Innovation Manager focuses on strategic innovation and managing teams to explore new concepts, whereas the Food Product Developer concentrates on creating and testing specific food products. The roles often collaborate but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Food Innovation Manager jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Food Innovation Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Innovation Manager job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,143 per year, or $21.7 per hour.

Regional Sales Manager

Continental Services

Rochester, NY • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

A Taste of Who We Are:

Backed by a tireless commitment to high quality, innovative culinary offerings and unparalleled client and guest services, Continental consistently ranks among the top contract dining and refreshment providers in the nation according to Food Management Magazine, the industry's source for food service news and trends.

Our Mission
Delight our guest. Every meal. Every day.
Our Core Values

Exceptional - We recruit and retain phenomenal people who consistently go the extra mile to deliver results that lead the industry.

Hospitality - We are tirelessly committed to providing the highest quality food, beverages, and service by anticipating our guests' needs so they can count on memorable experiences every time.

Collaboration - We prioritize working together with a shared vision and effective & transparent communication, we unite as one team to achieve remarkable experiences. 

Responsibility - we hold ourselves accountable to be there for our team and clients, to deliver what we say we will, when we say we will and check in on progress along the way. 

Innovation - We are forward-thinkers always looking for new processes, technologies, and techniques to increase efficiencies and scalability to improve our services.
  • Business Development: Generate new business through networking, social media, cold calling, internet resources, targeting specific competitor clients, and actively following through with leads. Research, identify opportunities and network within the field. Understand account profitability and how decisions made with each client to impact our business. Determine the best offering for the client after assessing their needs.
  • Sales: Meet or exceed sales objectives while delivering outstanding and comprehensive service to clients throughout the sales process. Understand client pain objectives and create solutions that will help them to achieve their goals.
  • Client Transition Support: Maintain strong internal relationships and communication prior to and during the sales process to ensure seamless transition of those clients to the operations team post-sale. Document all pertinent information from clients and relay to necessary individuals. Facilitate the implementation of select services by partnering with Construction Management, Marketing, Business Development Analytics, and Operations to develop a comprehensive offering.
  • Administrative Responsibilities: Compliance in utilizing our SOP processes to include maintaining an accurate pipeline via CRM (Salesforce) and SmartSheets. Leveraging sales tools including the LinkedIn platform and ZoomInfo to build new leads and opportunities. Schedule and participate in interactive meetings with support departments to achieve results.
  • Continuous Improvement: Be a catalyst for continuous improvement. Identify opportunities and ensure that current tools and resources are used effectively. Leverage relationships and expand capabilities to respond to ever changing market demands. Evaluate programs and initiatives. Consult with business leaders; soliciting feedback, evaluating needs, and applying solutions. Respect company policies and procedures while executing core responsibilities and introducing new solutions.

  • Bachelor's degree preferred in sales, business marketing or similar.
  • Work experience in the refreshments or contract management industry preferred, preferably with one of the Top 50 Food Service Management organizations or coffee, vending, food and beverage or related industries.
  • 3-5 years of sales experience required, hospitality and/or foodservice strongly preferred. Must have experience hunting new business. 
  • Results oriented and flexible; takes action as soon as need arises and can demonstrate positive results; steadily follows through on tasks; able to find a balance between the business requirements and meeting client requests; absorbs new information quickly and translates key points into positive outcomes.
  • Has a passion for sales and good at visualizing how to meet customer needs and package the offerings that best meet their requirements. Demonstrated ability to engage and sell proactively, gaining buy-in, respect, trust, and accountability to achieve goals.
  • High energy level; has demonstrated resilience, endurance and persistence throughout career.
  • Can-do attitude; stays positive, even in the face of adversity; sets right tone for others. Collaborative in work style with others both inside and outside organization; respectful of what others can contribute.
  • Places high importance on building and maintaining trust; has a long-range perspective with relationship development. Believes in and routinely practices direct and honest communication by actively sharing information openly with clients. Seeks collaborative resolution of issues and others' points of view.
  • Personal values align with the company's values and culture.
  • Strong proficiency with electronic communication, Microsoft Office Suite, and related systems used in the industry.
Location:
This role will be remote based with frequent travel required with the assigned territory, which spans between Rochester, NY and Syracuse, NY. Applicants must live within reasonable distance of the assigned territory. 

We offer a range of benefits for eligibles team members, including:
  • Health Coverage - Medical, Dental and Vision
  • Voluntary Life/AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Parental Leave
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Wellness Programs
  • Referral Bonus Program
  • Additional Perks
To see a summary of current benefits, please visit https://www.continentalserves.com/work-at-continental/#benefits.