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Food Product Development Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

National Food Group

Product Development Specialist

Novi, MI

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Request Foods

Director of Product Development

Holland, MI

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Request Foods

Director of Product Development

Holland, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Meijer Companies Ltd

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 ...

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 ...

Specialty Foods Group

R&D Meat Scientist

Holland, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in meat / food product development * Strong understanding of meat functionality (protein bind, blending, water activity, cook loss, emulsions) and ...

Indiana Packers Corporation

R&D Meat Scientist

Holland, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in meat / food product development * Strong understanding of meat functionality (protein bind, blending, water activity, cook loss, emulsions) and ...

Gordon Food Service

Part Time Food Production

Gaylord, MI · On-site

$13.50 - $16/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

$14 - $16.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

$13.50 - $16/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

Battle Creek, MI

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

Battle Creek, MI · On-site

$17/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Indiana Packers Corporation

R&D Meat Scientist

Holland, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

R&D Meat ScientistIndiana Packers Corporation (IPC) is a fully integrated retail, foodservice and ... Master's or PhD preferredMinimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in meat / food product ...

gpac

Pet Nutritionist

Buchanan, MI · On-site

Master's degree in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Food Science, or a related discipline. * 3-5+ years of experience in animal nutrition, feed formulation, or pet food product development. * Strong ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsFood Product Development JobsFood Product Development Jobs in Michigan

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 Aug 15, 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 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 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 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 $110,682 per year, or $53.2 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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