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Food Product Development Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Vale Matcha

$110 - $170/hr

The ideal candidate is equal parts project manager, product developer, food scientist, and operator ... Build and maintain product development timelines, launch calendars, and project trackers

Circle K Stores Inc.

$90 - $130/hr

## Product Development Manager- Private BrandsApplylocations: Nonstore B152 Charlotte NCtime type ... Food Safety, Quality & Compliance*** Ensure all assigned products meet **FDA, USDA, FSMA**, and ...

Altria Group, Inc.

$81 - $119/hr

Product Development Scientist II - Oral Products Job Alerts Link Job Title: Product Development ... Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Food Science, Biology, or a related technical ...

General Mills, Inc.

$104 - $117/hr

Employer will accept a master's degree in food science, meat science, or related field and 3 years of experience in the job offered or in a product development and project leadership- related ...

New

Celmark International

$150 - $200/hr

Leads product development activities, drives cross-functional alignment, and serves as a key ... Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition Science ...

Gordon Food Service

Full Time Food Production

Florence, KY · On-site

$15 - $16/hr

Advancement - High internal promotion rate and development programs available! Gordon Food Service ... As a Full Time Food Production Associate you bring fun into our store! No 2 days are ever the same ...

Gordon Food Service

Part Time Food Production

Florence, KY · On-site

$15 - $17.50/hr

Advancement - High internal promotion rate and development programs available! Gordon Food Service ... As a Part Time Food Production Associate you bring fun into our store! No 2 days are ever the same ...

Gordon Food Service

Part Time Food Production

Florence, KY · On-site

$13.25 - $17.75/hr

Advancement - High internal promotion rate and development programs available! Gordon Food Service ... As a Part Time Food Production Associate you bring fun into our store! No 2 days are ever the same ...

JRN Inc. - KFC

Food Production

Georgetown, KY

$12 - $16.25/hr

Career advancement and professional development opportunities * Medical benefits * Health and ... Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in ...

JRN Inc. - KFC

Food Production

Paris, KY · On-site

$11 - $15/hr

Career advancement and professional development opportunities * Medical benefits * Health and ... Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in ...

JRN Inc. - KFC

Food Production

Lexington, KY

$11.25 - $15.25/hr

Career advancement and professional development opportunities * Medical benefits * Health and ... Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in ...

JRN Inc. - KFC

Food Production

Williamsburg, KY

$11.50 - $15.75/hr

Career advancement and professional development opportunities * Medical benefits * Health and ... Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in ...

JRN Inc. - KFC

Food Production

London, KY

$11.25 - $15.25/hr

Career advancement and professional development opportunities * Medical benefits * Health and ... Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in ...

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All JobsFood Product Development JobsFood Product Development Jobs in Kentucky

Food Product Development information

See Kentucky salary details

$36.9K

$110.3K

$125.5K

How much do food product development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for food product development in Kentucky is $110,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,400.00 and $124,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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.

How to get into food product development?

To enter food product development, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in food science, culinary arts, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level roles in food manufacturing or research helps develop relevant skills such as product formulation, sensory evaluation, and knowledge of food safety standards. Proficiency with product development tools and strong teamwork are also valuable for success in this field.

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 analysis and food science techniques to bring products from concept to market.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Food Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Product Development job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,292 per year, or $53 per hour.

Product Development & Category Manager Seattle, WA · · $135,000 - $145,000 View role

Vale Matcha

On-site

$110 - $170/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

About Vale

Vale is on a mission to make exceptional matcha simple. We believe premium matcha shouldn't require complicated preparation or years of experience to enjoy. Through thoughtfully designed products, beautiful packaging, and uncompromising quality, we're redefining how people experience matcha every day.

As we continue to grow, we're looking for someone who thrives in bringing products to life—from the first idea through launch and into ongoing optimization.

Position Summary

The Product Development & Category Manager will own Vale's end-to-end product development pipeline, serving as the primary bridge between Marketing, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, and external suppliers.

This role is responsible for ensuring new products launch on time, packaging and regulatory deliverables are complete, product information is accurate, and every stakeholder has what they need throughout commercialization.

The ideal candidate is equal parts project manager, product developer, food scientist, and operator—someone who enjoys building systems, sweating the details, and turning great ideas into successful products.

ResponsibilitiesOwn the Product Development Pipeline
  • Manage the complete product development lifecycle from concept through commercialization
  • Build and maintain product development timelines, launch calendars, and project trackers
  • Coordinate all cross-functional deliverables to ensure launches stay on schedule
  • Identify project risks early and proactively resolve bottlenecks
  • Lead recurring cross-functional product development meetings
Product Development
  • Partner with Marketing to translate product concepts into commercially viable products
  • Coordinate formulation development with manufacturing partners
  • Manage product sampling, revisions, testing, approvals, and commercialization
  • Oversee pilot runs, production trials, and first production approvals
  • Support continuous improvement of existing products based on customer feedback and manufacturing learnings
  • Evaluate new ingredients, suppliers, and product opportunities
Product Information Management

Maintain and own all product documentation including:

  • Product specifications
  • Manage sample requests and approvals
  • Track ingredient changes and packaging updates
  • Ingredient lists
  • Formulas
  • Packaging specs
  • Nutrition information
  • UPCs
  • Case pack information
  • Product dimensions
  • Shipping specifications
  • Manufacturing documentation
  • Product launch checklists
Marketing Support

Partner closely with Marketing by providing:

  • Accurate product information
  • Ingredient education
  • Claims support
  • Product launch timelines
  • Packaging approvals
  • Product photography samples
  • Website product specifications
  • Retailer documentation
  • Sales sheets and specification documents
Process Improvement
  • Build scalable systems for product development
  • Improve documentation processes
  • Standardize launch workflows
  • Develop SOPs across commercialization
  • Continuously optimize cross-functional collaboration
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Nutrition, or related field
  • 3–6 years of experience in food product development, commercialization, or CPG
  • Experience working with co-manufacturers or food manufacturing facilities
  • Experience with packaging development and print production
  • Knowledge of food regulations, ingredient specifications, and quality systems
  • Exceptional project management and organizational skills
  • Ability to manage multiple product launches simultaneously
  • Excellent communication skills with both technical and creative teams
  • Strong attention to detail
Success in This Role

Within your first year, you'll:

  • Own Vale's entire product development roadmap
  • Build a best-in-class commercialization process that keeps launches on schedule
  • Create a centralized source of truth for every product specification and packaging asset
  • Ensure all packaging and regulatory deliverables are accurate and launch-ready
  • Improve communication between Marketing, Operations, and manufacturing partners
  • Help Vale bring innovative new products to market faster while maintaining exceptional quality
Benefits
  • Company funded Orca card
  • Company equity
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • Unlimited matcha!
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