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Food Innovation Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As the Manager of Customer Success, you will play a strategic role in helping customers discover ... Delivers food innovation, consumer and menu trends content aligned with an annual calendar ...

The Manager, Culinary Services, will champion our Food Innovation Services, technical expertise, and commercial growth for Ventura Foods and its customers. Reporting directly to the VP, this position ...

As the Manager of Customer Success, you will play a strategic role in helping customers discover ... Delivers food innovation, consumer and menu trends content aligned with an annual calendar ...

As the Manager of Customer Success, you will play a strategic role in helping customers discover ... Delivers food innovation, consumer and menu trends content aligned with an annual calendar ...

The Manager, Culinary Services, will champion our Food Innovation Services, technical expertise, and commercial growth for Ventura Foods and its customers. Reporting directly to the VP, this position ...

The Manager, Culinary Services, will champion our Food Innovation Services, technical expertise, and commercial growth for Ventura Foods and its customers. Reporting directly to the VP, this position ...

The Manager, Culinary Services, will champion our Food Innovation Services, technical expertise, and commercial growth for Ventura Foods and its customers. Reporting directly to the VP, this position ...

As the Manager of Customer Success, you will play a strategic role in helping customers discover what's next in food and supporting them along their Food Innovation journey. Our Customer Success ...

As the Manager of Customer Success, you will play a strategic role in helping customers discover ... Delivers food innovation, consumer and menu trends content aligned with an annual calendar ...

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Food Innovation Manager information

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How much do food innovation manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for food innovation manager in the United States is $22.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $24.04 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 are hiring for Food Innovation Manager jobs?

Cities with the most Food Innovation Manager job openings:

What states have the most Food Innovation Manager jobs?

States with the most job openings for Food Innovation Manager jobs include:

Infographic showing various Food Innovation Manager job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,753 per year, or $22 per hour.

Food Innovation and Product Development Scientist II

The Fresh Factory

Downers Grove, IL

$80K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

The Food Innovation and Product Development Scientist II role is responsible for developing a product from ideation through to retail shelves. Responsibilities of this role include reviewing the initial manufacturability, scale-up, formulation, and launch of products produced by The Fresh Factory. This role works on the innovation and commercialization of new products and the renovation of existing products. This person will report to the R&D and Commercialization Manager.

 Key Responsibilities:

●      Review innovation and line-extension projects at the ideation stage to determine the feasibility of adding a product to the Fresh Factory portfolio.

●      Provide technical guidance and execute bench development for targeted development initiatives.

●      Lead new product formulation to achieve desired food quality, nutritional, and safety parameters, and cost targets.

●      Scale new products to match The Fresh Factory’s processing capabilities.

●      Understand the requirements of strategic ingredients, products, processes, and packages to support the development of new products.

●      Plan, conduct, and coordinate product development plans and trial plans.

●      Lead trial runs and sample production of new products.

●      Coordinate with the production crew to ensure proper understanding of new products

●      Oversee initial full-scale production of new products.

●      Other functions involved in the new product launch are not outlined here.

Qualifications:

●      Bachelor's degree in food processing required with 3-5 years of experience or a Master's degree in food processing with up to 2 years of experience

●      Strong technical knowledge of food science and food safety

●      Broad understanding of new product innovation from concept to execution

●      Strong communication and leadership skills

●      Ability to work as part of a team and work under ambiguity

●      Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Excel

●      Previous experience working in a food processing facility

●      Previous experience managing a team, preferred

●      Must speak English; Spanish a plus but not required

●      Highly organized with a high degree of self-motivation.


Physical Requirements:

●      Must be able to read, write, and understand text and instructions

●      Being able to taste all the food products (unless there is an allergy)

●      Stands most of the day

●      Bend/Stoop/Position oneself to move crates of materials

●      Works in a cold room up to approximately 35% of the time

●      Must wear Personal Protective Equipment

Benefits:

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and professional growth of our employees, including:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Voluntary short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Paid holidays and PTO
  • Continuous learning stipends, including educational budgets and time off for professional development
  • Access to a 401(k) retirement savings plan
  • A culture built on trust, collaboration, and opportunities for growth