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Food Product Development Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Gordon Food Service

Full Time Food Production

Wyoming, MI · On-site

$13.50 - $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

Full Time Food Production

Royal Oak, MI · On-site

$14 - $16.50/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

Full Time Food Production

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$12.75 - $17.25/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

Gaylord, MI · On-site

$13.50 - $16/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

Gaylord, MI · On-site

$13.50 - $16/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

Full Time Food Production

Royal Oak, MI · On-site

$14 - $16.50/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

Full Time Food Production

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$12.75 - $17.25/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 ...

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Food Product Development information

See Michigan salary details

$37K

$110.7K

$125.9K

How much do food product development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for food product development in Michigan is $110,682.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,800.00 and $124,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Food Product Development position, 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 job?

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 much do product developers get paid?

Food product developers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals or those in senior roles can earn over $100,000. Skills in food science, culinary arts, and familiarity with product testing are important for higher compensation.

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. Strong communication, creativity, and familiarity with industry tools like CAD or lab equipment are also beneficial.

What is the highest paid job in the food industry?

In the food industry, executive roles such as Food and Beverage Directors or Corporate Food Service Managers tend to be among the highest paid positions, often earning six-figure salaries. These roles require extensive experience, leadership skills, and often advanced degrees or certifications in food management or hospitality. Salary levels vary based on company size, location, and responsibilities.
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 jobs in Michigan? For Food Product Development jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Product Development jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Food Product Development jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Food Product Development jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Food Product Development job openings:
Food Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Product Development job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,682 per year, or $53.2 per hour.
Director of Product Development

Director of Product Development

Request Foods

Holland, MI

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Request Foods rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

56th of 432 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Position: Director of Product Development
Reports to: Senior Director of Sales
Department: Product Development
Location: Holland, M
There has never been a more exciting time to join Request Foods. We’ve been selling products to many of the world’s leading food companies, retailers and restaurants for over 35 years. A privately owned and financially sound company, we do our best to run our business based on Christian values. Whether it’s cooking up great tasting food, assisting in customer support, providing quality and production leadership, or supporting administrative or technical activities, a career at Request Foods is a great opportunity. At Request, we’ve achieved success by treating our employees with integrity, trust and respect. If you’re passionate about food, and the people who help produce it, then Request Foods might just be for you.
Request Foods is seeking a Director of Product Development that provides strategic and operational leadership for the end‑to‑end development, commercialization, and lifecycle management of frozen food products. This role oversees culinary innovation, food science, packaging engineering, and labeling amp; regulatory compliance, ensuring that products are innovative, manufacturable, compliant, and aligned with customer and business objectives. The Director leads a multidisciplinary team of culinary chefs, food scientists, packaging engineers, and regulatory/labeling professionals, serving as the primary cross‑functional partner to Operations, Quality amp; Food Safety, Engineering, Sales, and Supply Chain. Success in this role requires a balance of culinary creativity, technical rigor, regulatory expertise, and disciplined execution within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Essential Responsibilities:
Product Development amp; Innovation Leadership
  • Define and execute the product development strategy to support customer growth, innovation pipelines, and operational capabilities.
  • Lead new product development from concept through commercialization, ensuring products are scalable, cost‑effective, and operationally ready.
  • Partner with Sales and customers to translate concepts, briefs, and market needs into executable product solutions.
  • Maintain ownership of product specifications, formulas, and documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
Culinary amp; Food Science Oversight
  • Lead and develop a team of culinary chefs and food scientists responsible for formulation, benchtop development, plant trials, and commercialization support.
  • Ensure products meet taste, texture, appearance, and quality expectations while maintaining food safety and cost targets.
  • Support plant troubleshooting, reformulations, and continuous improvement initiatives for existing products.
Packaging Engineering Leadership
  • Provide strategic oversight of packaging engineering activities, including material selection, line compatibility, shelf life, and performance testing.
  • Ensure packaging solutions meet customer requirements, manufacturing capabilities, sustainability goals, and regulatory standards.
  • Partner with Operations and Engineering to support packaging trials, line validations, and equipment compatibility.
Labeling amp; Regulatory Compliance
  • Oversee labeling and regulatory compliance across all products, ensuring adherence to USDA, FDA, and customer‑specific requirements.
  • Ensure accurate nutritional labeling, ingredient statements, allergen declarations, and claims substantiation.
  • Stay current with regulatory changes and proactively assess impact to products, packaging, and documentation.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Serve as a key interface between Product Development, Quality, Food Safety, Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
  • Ensure smooth handoff from development to manufacturing with clear documentation, training, and operational readiness.
  • Support customer audits, technical reviews, and commercialization milestones.
People Leadership amp; Development
  • Build, lead, and mentor high‑performing teams across culinary, food science, packaging, and regulatory disciplines.
  • Establish clear performance expectations, development plans, and succession strategies.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Financial amp; Portfolio Management
  • Manage the Product Development budget, including labor, ingredients, trials, and capital support.
  • Prioritize the product development portfolio to maximize ROI, capacity alignment, and strategic impact.
  • Track key metrics related to speed‑to‑market, commercialization success, and product performance.
Key Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Food Technology, or related discipline.
  • 15+ years of progressive experience in product development within food manufacturing, preferably frozen foods.
  • Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams (culinary, food science, packaging, regulatory).
  • Strong understanding of USDA/FDA regulations, labeling requirements, and food safety systems.
  • Demonstrated success leading commercialization in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.
  • Advanced degree in Food Science or related field.
  • Experience in co‑manufacturing or customer‑driven product development models.
  • Familiarity with ERP systems, BOM management, and commercialization workflows.
Core Competencies:
  • Strategic innovation and execution
  • Regulatory and labeling expertise
  • Culinary and technical credibility
  • Cross‑functional influence
  • Financial and portfolio management
  • People development and change leadership
Benefits and Perks:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401k
  • Paid Paternity Leave
  • Wellbeing programs
  • Immediate Holiday Pay
  • Paid Time Off
  • Profit Sharing

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