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Food Product Development Internship Jobs in Michigan

Meijer Companies Ltd

Food Scientist

Grand Rapids, MI

Development programs for advancement and career growth Please review the job profile below and apply today! The Quality Scientist acts as the subject matter expert for Meijer brand food products as ...

Meijer, Inc.

Food Scientist

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

Development programs for advancement and career growth Please review the job profile below and apply today! The Quality Scientist acts as the subject matter expert for Meijer brand food products as ...

Edwards Garment

Technical Designer

Kalamazoo, MI

... product development internship and completed Textile & Apparel courses * 3-5 years apparel technical design experience in both Men's and Women's products * Strong working knowledge of fabrics ...

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All JobsFood Product Development JobsFood Product Development Internship JobsFood Product Development Internship Jobs in Michigan

Food Product Development Internship information

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$8

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How much do food product development internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for food product development internship in Michigan is $18.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.10 and $20.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Food Product Development Internship vs Food Product Development Coordinator?

AspectFood Product Development InternshipFood Product Development Coordinator
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in food science, nutrition, or related fieldBachelor's degree in food science, culinary arts, or related field; some experience preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship setting within food companies, labs, or R&D departmentsFull-time role in food companies, overseeing product development projects
ResponsibilitiesAssisting in product testing, research, and documentationManaging product development processes, coordinating teams, and ensuring project timelines

The Food Product Development Internship is an entry-level position designed for students or recent graduates gaining hands-on experience. In contrast, the Food Product Development Coordinator is a full-time professional role with greater responsibilities in managing product projects. Both roles are essential in the food industry, but they differ mainly in experience level and scope of duties.

What is a food product development internship?

A Food Product Development Internship is a temporary position designed for students or recent graduates interested in the food industry. Interns work alongside food scientists and product developers to create, test, and improve new food products. The role often involves tasks like sensory evaluation, recipe formulation, ingredient research, and quality control. This experience provides valuable hands-on learning about the product development process and helps interns build practical skills for future careers in food science or related fields.

What are typical projects and responsibilities for a food product development intern?

As a Food Product Development Intern, you can expect to assist with a variety of hands-on projects, such as formulating new recipes, conducting sensory evaluations, and supporting shelf-life testing. You'll likely collaborate closely with food scientists, quality assurance teams, and marketing professionals to refine product concepts and ensure they meet both regulatory and consumer requirements. Interns often help with ingredient sourcing, documentation, and compiling data for analysis, providing a well-rounded experience that supports skill development and exposes you to the full product development lifecycle. This role is a great stepping stone for learning industry standards and gaining practical experience in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food product development intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Product Development Intern, you need a background in food science or a related field, with knowledge of food safety, ingredient functionality, and basic research methods. Familiarity with lab equipment, formulation software, sensory evaluation tools, and regulatory guidelines is typically required. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help you work effectively on cross-functional teams and present findings. These skills are vital to innovating safe, appealing products and advancing projects from concept to market.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Product Development jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Food Product Development jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Food Product Development Internship jobs in Michigan?

For Food Product Development Internship jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Product Development Internship jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Product Development Internship jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Food Product Development Internship jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Food Product Development Internship job openings:

Food Product Development Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Product Development Internship job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,423 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

Product Development Specialist

National Food Group

Novi, MI

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Product Development Specialist
Department: Product Development
Reports To: Product Development Director
Employment Type: Contract
Job Summary
National Food Group is seeking an innovative and driven Product Development Specialist to join our Product Development team in a temporary role, with the potential to transition into a full-time position based on performance and business needs.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a hands-on role in developing and launching food products that serve K-12 students across the country. Working closely with manufacturing partners, suppliers, and internal stakeholders, you will help bring new product ideas to life while supporting the continuous improvement of our existing portfolio.
The ideal candidate is passionate about food innovation, curious about consumer and market trends, and energized by turning insights into commercially successful products. You'll leverage industry research, customer feedback, and market data to identify growth opportunities and support the development of products that meet the evolving needs of school nutrition programs.
Success in this role requires strong collaboration skills, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate the technical and operational challenges of product commercialization across multiple manufacturing environments. If you enjoy solving problems, building relationships, and making a meaningful impact through food innovation, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
  • Support growth and innovation initiatives for Zee Zees product lines.
  • Partner with manufacturers on formula and flavor development activities, including benchtop sample creation.
  • Plan, coordinate, and execute plant trials with manufacturing partners to support product and process commercialization and continuous improvement.
  • Support technical aspects of new product development projects and line extensions.
  • Assist in identifying ingredients, suppliers, and manufacturing partners that support innovation and product growth.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to accelerate speed-to-market.
  • Validate product claims and ensure K12 nutrition regulations are met with cross functional team guidance.
  • Update and maintain existing products to accommodate label changes, regulatory updates, and business requirements.
  • Assist in managing the product lifecycle from concept development through commercialization.
Qualifications
Education amp; Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dietetics, or a related field with demonstrated experience supporting product scale-up, plant trials, and commercialization activities.
  • Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in food product development.
  • Hands-on experience working with food manufacturers and/or co-manufacturing partners, including plant trials, scale-up activities, and commercialization support.
  • Experience developing retail and/or foodservice products from concept through commercialization.
  • Experience troubleshooting formulation, processing, or manufacturing challenges during product development and commercialization.
Skills amp; Competencies
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead projects and collaborate effectively across multiple departments.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
  • Effective conflict resolution and relationship management skills.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
What We're Looking For
  • A creative thinker who can identify emerging trends and uncover opportunities for innovation.
  • Someone who is open to learning, coaching, and continuous professional growth.
  • A self-starter with a strong work ethic and a results-driven mindset.
  • An individual who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and embraces change.
We love when our team members are happy and healthy! At National Food Group, you'll have the following benefits and perks:
  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision care insurance
  • Group life amp; voluntary life insurance
  • 401(k) savings plan
  • Flexible savings plan
  • Short-term amp; long-term disability
  • PTO amp; PTO buy up
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Wellness reimbursement
Our office work environment:
Works in a temperature-controlled office environment.
This job requires the ability to perform duties contained in the job description for this position, including, but not limited to, the above requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made to fulfill these requirements.
The above statements generally describe the principal and essential functions of the job but should not be construed as a detailed description of all essential functions that may be inherent in the job.
Equal Employment Opportunity
National Food Group is an equal opportunity employer.
*Please also include your salary requirements when submitting your resume.

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