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Food Product Development Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Schwans

Sr Mgr Product Development

Gahanna, OH · On-site

$86K - $142K/yr

Provide and manage food science solutions to manufacturing, food safety & quality, purchasing, and ... menu development, competitor products, product capabilities and requirements as well as sales ...

SCHWAN'S

Sr Mgr Product Development

Gahanna, OH · On-site

$86K - $142K/yr

Provide and manage food science solutions to manufacturing, food safety & quality, purchasing, and ... menu development, competitor products, product capabilities and requirements as well as sales ...

Ocean Spray

Product Development Scientist

Lakeville, MA · On-site

$59K - $74K/yr

Food Science Foundation/Strong Technical Acumen. * Ability to apply scientific principles to research and creative problem solving * 3+ years in product development * Ability to work in various ...

Ocean Spray

Product Development Scientist

Lakeville, MA · On-site

$59K - $74K/yr

Ocean Spray is hiring for a(n) Product Development Scientist! We're a team of farmers, thinkers ... Food Science Foundation/ Strong T echnical Acumen .Ability to apply scientific principles to ...

Balchem

Product Development Scientist

Bridgeton, MO

The Food Scientist position will leverage scientific training and industrial experience to develop ... Drive the conceptualization, development, and commercialization of new products * Support cross ...

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Food Product Development Scientist information

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$120.5K

How much do food product development scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for food product development scientist in the United States is $82,657.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,000.00 and $94,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a food product development scientist do?

A Food Product Development Scientist is responsible for creating and improving food products, ensuring they are safe, nutritious, and appealing to consumers. They work on formulating new recipes, testing ingredients, and optimizing manufacturing processes to meet quality and regulatory standards. Their role often involves collaborating with marketing, production, and quality assurance teams to bring innovative food products from concept to market. They also stay updated on food trends, consumer preferences, and advances in food science technology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food product development scientist?

A Food Product Development Scientist typically needs a degree in food science, chemistry, or a related field, with strong knowledge of ingredient functionality and food safety regulations. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, sensory analysis tools, and formulation software like Genesis R&D is often required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help drive innovation and successful collaboration between departments. These competencies are crucial to developing safe, appealing, and commercially viable food products that meet consumer and regulatory standards.

What are some common challenges faced by food product development scientists when launching new products?

Food Product Development Scientists often encounter challenges such as meeting strict regulatory requirements, ensuring product consistency across large-scale production, and balancing taste, texture, and nutritional profiles. Additionally, they must collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including marketing, quality assurance, and supply chain—to address potential issues like ingredient sourcing and shelf-life stability. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication with various stakeholders throughout the development process.

What is the difference between Food Product Development Scientist vs Food Technologist?

AspectFood Product Development ScientistFood Technologist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Food Science or related fieldBachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, product development teams, innovation centersManufacturing facilities, quality control labs, production lines
Industry UsageDevelops new products, improves formulations, conducts sensory testingEnsures product safety, quality, and compliance, supports production processes

Food Product Development Scientists focus on creating and refining new food products through research and experimentation, often working in R&D labs. Food Technologists primarily ensure product safety, quality, and compliance during manufacturing. Both roles are essential in the food industry but differ in their core responsibilities and work settings.

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Food Product Development Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Product Development Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,657 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Food Product Development Scientist

United Petfood Producers USA Inc.

Mishawaka, IN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Job Title: Entry-Level Nutritionist

Location: Mishawaka, IN

Department: Procurement

Reports to: Quality Manager

Job Type: Full-time

About United Petfood:

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US. 

Joining us, means joining an international, passionate and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there: we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a spot in which you can grow, bloom and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!

Job Summary:

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Entry-Level Nutritionist to join our team. This individual will support the development and implementation of nutrition programs and strategies, with a focus on optimizing the health and performance of pets. The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in the feed industry and possess a solid foundation in nutritional science.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Nutritional Analysis: Assist in analyzing and evaluating the nutritional content of feed ingredients and formulations to ensure they meet the required standards.
  • Product Development: Support the development of new pet food products and formulations, ensuring they are nutritionally balanced and meet market demands as well as AAFCO regulations. 
  • Research and Data Collection: Conduct research on nutritional trends, new ingredients, and innovations in the pet food industry. Collect and analyze data to support nutrition projects.
  • Quality Control: Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of pet food quality to ensure compliance with nutritional standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Technical Support: Provide technical support to sales and marketing teams by preparing nutritional information and answering customer queries.
  • Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of nutritional data, formulations, and research findings. Prepare reports and presentations as required.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, including production, and quality assurance, to support the implementation of nutrition programs and initiatives.
  • Field Support: Participate in field visits and trials to monitor the performance of pet food products and gather feedback from customers and stakeholders.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Food Science, or a related field.
  • Basic understanding of animal nutrition principles and feed formulation.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience or internship in the feed or pet food industry.
  • Familiarity with pet food formulation software.
  • Knowledge of pet food manufacturing processes and quality control standards.
  • Understanding of regulatory requirements related to animal feed.
  • Strong interest in ongoing learning and professional development in the field of animal nutrition.

Working Conditions:

  • Full-time position with occasional travel to production facilities, research sites, and customer locations.
  • Work primarily in an office setting with some fieldwork and laboratory activities.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Apply