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Food Product Development Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Shamrock Job Page

Product Owner

Phoenix, AZ

A Product Owner oversees the development of products from start to finish to ensure they meet the ... the food industry and has been since being founded in Arizona in 1922. Our Mission: At Shamrock ...

Community Food Bank

Food Sourcing Manager

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$56K - $77K/yr

Contribute to the development of strategic food sourcing plans and lead implementation of approved ... Coordinate with the purchasing staff to share donor trends, product gaps, supply risks, and ...

Birdcall Madison Village LLC

Kitchen Staff

Phoenix, AZ

$12.50 - $16.25/hr

Individuals will work in a fast-paced environment providing timely preparation of food product ... Opportunities for promotion and career development in other areas of the company * Competitive ...

Birdcall

Kitchen Staff

Gilbert, AZ · On-site

$12.75 - $16.25/hr

Individuals will work in a fast-paced environment providing timely preparation of food product ... Opportunities for promotion and career development in other areas of the company * Competitive ...

Birdcall Santan LLC

Kitchen Staff

Gilbert, AZ

$12.75 - $16.25/hr

Individuals will work in a fast-paced environment providing timely preparation of food product ... Opportunities for promotion and career development in other areas of the company * Competitive ...

Birdcall Operations LLC

Kitchen Staff

Gilbert, AZ · On-site

$12.75 - $16.25/hr

Individuals will work in a fast-paced environment providing timely preparation of food product ... Opportunities for promotion and career development in other areas of the company * Competitive ...

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All JobsFood Product Development JobsFood Product Development Jobs in Arizona

Food Product Development information

See Arizona salary details

$39.6K

$118.3K

$134.7K

How much do food product development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for food product development in Arizona is $118,338.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,700.00 and $133,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive in Food Product Development, you need expertise in food science, sensory evaluation, and recipe formulation, typically backed by a degree in food science, nutrition, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, food safety regulations, and product lifecycle management software is often required. Strong project management, creativity, and teamwork skills help individuals excel in this role. These abilities are essential because they ensure products are innovative, safe, and compliant while meeting consumer demands and business objectives.

What do you do as a food product developer?

A food product developer designs, tests, and refines new food products to meet consumer preferences and safety standards. They conduct research, create prototypes, and collaborate with cross-functional teams using tools like sensory evaluation and food science techniques to bring products from concept to market.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in food product development?

Food Product Development professionals often encounter challenges such as balancing taste, nutrition, cost, and shelf-life while adhering to strict food safety and regulatory standards. They may need to quickly adapt to changing consumer preferences and troubleshoot issues that arise during product testing or manufacturing scale-up. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as marketing, quality assurance, and supply chain, is key to overcoming these obstacles and launching successful products. This dynamic environment requires flexibility and a continual willingness to learn and innovate.

What is a food product development?

A Food Product Development job involves creating new food products or improving existing ones by experimenting with ingredients, formulations, and processing techniques. Professionals in this field work closely with food scientists, marketers, and manufacturers to ensure products meet consumer preferences, regulatory standards, and cost requirements. They conduct research, test recipes, and oversee production trials to bring safe, high-quality, and marketable food items to store shelves.

How to get into food product development?

To pursue a career in food product development, individuals typically need a background in food science, culinary arts, or related fields, along with skills in research, formulation, and testing. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level roles in food companies and developing knowledge of food safety standards and product lifecycle are also important steps.
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Product Development jobs in Arizona? The most popular types of Food Product Development jobs in Arizona are:
What are popular job titles related to Food Product Development jobs in Arizona? For Food Product Development jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Product Development jobs in Arizona look for? The top searched job categories for Food Product Development jobs in Arizona are:
What cities in Arizona are hiring for Food Product Development jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Food Product Development job openings:
Food Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Product Development job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $118,338 per year, or $56.9 per hour.

Product Development Specialist

Lehi Valley Trading Company

Mesa, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:


The Product Development Specialist is responsible for developing and commercializing innovative food products from concept through production. This role works closely with Operations, Quality, Marketing, and Supply Chain to formulate, test, and scale new products while ensuring they meet quality, food safety, and customer expectations. The ideal candidate is creative, detail-oriented, and passionate about developing high-quality snack food products.



ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Ensure maintenance of efficient and effecting reporting and information for activities within the group
  • Plan, develop, and manage assigned product development projects from concept through commercialization.
  • Create and formulate new products, including popcorn, Corn puffs, and other snack food items.
  • Develop and refine product formulations to achieve desired taste, texture, appearance, shelf life, and cost objectives.
  • Convert laboratory and pilot-scale recipes into full-scale manufacturing processes.
  • Conduct product testing, evaluations, and sensory analysis.
  • Coordinate plant trials and production test runs, documenting results and recommending process improvements.
  • Collaborate with Manufacturing to ensure successful product launches and efficient production processes.
  • Partner with the Marketing team to support new product launches and product enhancements.
  • Source and evaluate ingredients and packaging materials in collaboration with approved suppliers.
  • Ensure all products comply with food safety, quality, regulatory, and labeling requirements.
  • Maintain accurate documentation, formulations, specifications, and project records.
  • Monitor project timelines and communicate progress to cross-functional teams.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives related to product quality, efficiency, and cost reduction.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.


QUALIFICATIONS:


REQUIRED

  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Approximately four (4) years of experience in food product development, preferably within the confectionery or snack food industry.
  • Experience developing products from concept through commercialization.
  • Knowledge of food processing equipment and manufacturing operations.
  • Ability to scale recipes from bench-top or pilot batches to full-scale production.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills.
  • Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
  • Valid Food Handler Card or the ability to obtain one upon hire.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings or weekends, to support plant trials and production schedules.


PREFERRED

  • Experience with confectionery, popcorn, granola, snack foods, or related products.
  • Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP, and food safety standards.
  • Experience working in SQF or GFSI-certified manufacturing environments.
  • Familiarity with ingredient functionality, nutritional labeling, and regulatory compliance.


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods in a manufacturing environment.
  • Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
  • Ability to work in hot, cold, and noisy production environments.
  • Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).


WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is primarily based in food manufacturing and office environments. The Product Development Specialist will spend time in research and development, production areas, and pilot testing environments while collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring new products to market.


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