ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Food Innovation Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Palermo's Pizza

Pizza Food Scientist

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

PIZZA FOOD SCIENTIST Are you passionate about food innovation, bakery science, and bringing new pizza products to life? Join Palermo's and help shape the future of frozen pizza through hands-on ...

Palermo's

Pizza Food Scientist

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$77K - $90K/yr

PIZZA FOOD SCIENTIST Are you passionate about food innovation, bakery science, and bringing new pizza products to life? Join Palermo's and help shape the future of frozen pizza through hands-on ...

Apply Early

Palermo Villa, Inc.

Pizza Food Scientist

Milwaukee, WI

PIZZA FOOD SCIENTIST Are you passionate about food innovation, bakery science, and bringing new pizza products to life? Join Palermo's and help shape the future of frozen pizza through hands-on ...

Apply Early

McCain Foods Limited

Food Scientist

Appleton, WI · On-site

$69K - $93K/yr

Food Scientist Position Type: Regular - Full-Time Requisition ID: 42750 In every role, McCainers ... This role reports to the R&D NA Snacking Innovation Director, working within the North American ...

FurstStaffing

Food Technologist

Monticello, WI · On-site

This role will manage day-to-day technical tasks that accelerate innovation and enable successful ... food safety compliance · Review and approve raw materials for functionality, safety, and ...

Apply Early

''

Food Scientist

Appleton, WI

$69K - $93K/yr

Food Scientist Position Type: Regular - Full-Time Grade: Grade 04 Requisition ID: 42750 In every ... Comfort with ambiguity,requiredwhen working in Front End Innovation * Demonstrated ability to work ...

Compass Group

FOOD SERVICE WORKER

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$14.25 - $17.50/hr

Previous food service experience required. * Perks: Paid holidays! * Pay Range: $16.00 per hour to ... innovation. Together, we'll continue to transform our industry. Come for the job, stay for the ...

Compass Group

FOOD UNIT LEAD

Fond Du Lac, WI · On-site

$15.25 - $21/hr

... innovation. Together, we'll continue to transform our industry. Come for the job, stay for the ... Coordinates activities of other food-service employees. Creates an enjoyable dining experience for ...

Compass Group

FOOD UNIT LEAD

Menomonee Falls, WI · On-site

$15.50 - $21.25/hr

... innovation. Together, we'll continue to transform our industry. Come for the job, stay for the ... Coordinates activities of other food-service employees. Creates an enjoyable dining experience for ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFood Innovation JobsFood Innovation Jobs in Wisconsin

Food Innovation information

See Wisconsin salary details

$9

$16

$21

How much do food innovation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for food innovation in Wisconsin is $16.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.57 and $17.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Food Innovation roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Food Innovation often encounter challenges such as balancing creativity with strict food safety regulations, keeping up with rapidly changing consumer preferences, and ensuring scalability of new products. Collaborating closely with R&D, marketing, and supply chain teams helps address these hurdles by integrating diverse expertise and viewpoints early in the development process. Staying informed about industry trends, engaging in continuous learning, and being open to feedback are also crucial for overcoming obstacles and driving successful food innovations.

What is the difference between Food Innovation vs Food Product Development?

AspectFood InnovationFood Product Development
CredentialsTypically requires degrees in food science, innovation, or related fieldsRequires similar degrees, often with additional focus on product formulation
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, innovation centers, R&D departmentsManufacturing facilities, R&D labs, production lines
Industry UsageFocuses on creating new food concepts, trends, and technologiesFocuses on developing, testing, and launching new food products

Food Innovation involves generating new ideas and technologies to advance the food industry, while Food Product Development focuses on turning those ideas into market-ready products. Both roles often overlap but differ mainly in scope: innovation emphasizes creativity and research, whereas product development emphasizes execution and production.

What is food innovation?

Food innovation refers to the development and implementation of new ideas, products, technologies, or processes within the food industry. This can include creating healthier food products, developing sustainable packaging, improving food safety, or introducing novel ingredients and production methods. Food innovation aims to meet changing consumer demands, address environmental concerns, and enhance the overall quality and variety of food available in the market. Professionals in this field often work in research and development, product design, and collaboration with culinary experts and scientists.

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

To thrive in Food Innovation, you need expertise in food science, culinary arts, and product development, often supported by a degree in food technology or a related field. Familiarity with food safety regulations, sensory analysis tools, and R&D software is typically required. Creative problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for generating and implementing novel food concepts. These skills enable professionals to develop innovative, safe, and marketable food products that meet consumer demands and regulatory standards.
What are popular job titles related to Food Innovation jobs in Wisconsin? For Food Innovation jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Innovation jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Food Innovation jobs in Wisconsin are:
Food Innovation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Innovation job openings in Wisconsin as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,061 per year, or $16.4 per hour.
Pizza Food Scientist

Pizza Food Scientist

Palermo's Pizza

Milwaukee, WI • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

PIZZA FOOD SCIENTIST
Are you passionate about food innovation, bakery science, and bringing new pizza products to life? Join Palermo's and help shape the future of frozen pizza through hands-on product development, commercialization, and continuous improvement initiatives. As a Pizza Food Scientist, you'll play a key role in developing high-quality pizza crusts and finished products that delight consumers and support business growth.
Who you'll work for...
While most companies that sell pizza have no real connection to Italy, Palermo's passion for food and family reaches all the way back to the country where pizza was born. "Papa Palermo" carried the cherished recipes to America from Sicily!
Innovation is at the heart of who we are. We use an entrepreneurial, forward-thinking approach resulting in high-quality products that are consistently recognized by both the industry and consumers.
Our commitment to quality has made Palermo's a leader in private label frozen pizza and contract manufacturing!
Perks...
  • 20 free pizzas per month
  • Competitive salary with bonus potential
  • Paid Time Off and Floating Holiday of your choice
  • 401(k) & Roth with company match and fully vested on the 1st of the month after hire
  • Comprehensive benefits package starting the 1st of the month after hire
  • Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement
  • Work alongside a collaborative and innovative R&D team

Where you'll work...
Located in Milwaukee's Menomonee River Valley, Villa Palermo is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility connected to our corporate headquarters.
Our high-tech operations include an on-site bakery, advanced manufacturing technology, pilot and plant-scale production capabilities, and cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Procurement teams.
This role is fully onsite at our Canal Street location, giving you direct exposure to hands-on product development and commercialization activities.
What you'll do...
  • Lead and support new product development initiatives from concept through commercialization
  • Develop and optimize pizza crusts, bakery items, and pizza toppings
  • Conduct bench-top, pilot plant, and manufacturing trials
  • Formulate products to meet quality, sensory, nutritional, and cost targets
  • Evaluate ingredients, raw materials, and supplier opportunities
  • Conduct sensory evaluations, testing, and technical assessments
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Sales, and Marketing
  • Support continuous improvement and cost savings initiatives through formulation and process optimization
  • Maintain technical documentation, formulations, and specifications
  • Help troubleshoot technical and manufacturing challenges while supporting plant operations

What you bring...
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Bakery Science, Food Engineering, Nutrition, Chemistry, Biology, or related field
  • 3-5 years of food product development experience within food manufacturing, bakery, or related industries
  • Strong understanding of dough systems, bakery science, and ingredient functionality
  • Hands-on experience with food preparation, ingredient weighing, mixing, and prototype development
  • Experience supporting pilot plant and manufacturing scale-up activities
  • Knowledge of food safety, GMPs, sanitation, and quality systems
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative manufacturing environment

Why you'll succeed...
  • You're passionate about innovation and turning ideas into commercialized products
  • You enjoy balancing technical problem-solving with hands-on product development
  • You communicate effectively across technical and non-technical teams
  • You're highly organized and detail-oriented while managing multiple projects
  • You thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy working cross-functionally
  • You bring curiosity, initiative, and a continuous improvement mindset to everything you do

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Apply