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Food Product Development Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Yum! Brands

Food Technologist

Plano, TX

$72K - $80K/yr

Years of Experience - Minimum of 3 years of product development experience, quality assurance, commercialization, or food manufacturing * Experience in the food industry or quick service industry, or ...

Gordon Food Service

Part Time Food Production

League City, TX · On-site

$12.75 - $15.25/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

League City, TX

$12.75 - $15.25/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 ...

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Food Product Development information

See Texas salary details

$39.6K

$118.3K

$134.6K

How much do food product development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for food product development in Texas is $118,308.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,700.00 and $133,200.00 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 Texas? The most popular types of Food Product Development jobs in Texas are:
What are popular job titles related to Food Product Development jobs in Texas? For Food Product Development jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Product Development jobs in Texas look for? The top searched job categories for Food Product Development jobs in Texas are:
What cities in Texas are hiring for Food Product Development jobs? Cities in Texas with the most Food Product Development job openings:
Food Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Product Development job openings in Texas 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 $118,308 per year, or $56.9 per hour.

SENIOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Standard Meat Company

Fort Worth, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Can you cut it with the industry leaders in meat portioning and cooking? We're always looking for sharp minds and sure hands to join our family business. We are committed to maintaining a safe, diverse, and welcoming workplace for all.
Job Title: Senior Research & Development Specialist
Department: Research & Development
Reports to: Research & Development Manager
Job: Full-time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location:
SUMMARY
The Senior Research & Development Specialist is responsible for leading complex product development initiatives and providing advanced technical expertise across Standard Meat Company's Research & Development function. This position independently manages product development projects from concept through commercialization readiness and serves as a technical resource in product formulation, meat science, poultry science, ingredient functionality, manufacturing feasibility, and process optimization.
Working collaboratively with Culinary, Commercialization, Operations, Business Development, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, and customers, the Senior Research & Development Specialist develops innovative products that align with Standard Meat Company's processing capabilities and business objectives. In addition, this role supports technical problem solving, continuous improvement initiatives, and knowledge sharing across the Research & Development function.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead the technical execution of complex product development projects from concept through commercialization readiness.
  • Develop and optimize product formulations that balance customer expectations, product quality, manufacturability, regulatory compliance, operational capabilities, and business objectives.
  • Plan, coordinate, and execute benchtop trials, pilot studies, plant trials, and product validations to support successful product launches.
  • Evaluate manufacturing processes, product performance, and technical data to identify opportunities for product improvement, yield enhancement, process optimization, cost reduction, and shelf-life performance.
  • Collaborate with Culinary, Commercialization, Operations, Business Development, Quality, Procurement, and other cross-functional teams to resolve technical challenges and support successful product development initiatives.
  • Analyze complex technical issues and develop practical, science-based solutions that support customer and business needs.
  • Evaluate and approve ingredients, raw materials, and suppliers to support new product development and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Prepare, review, and maintain formulations, specifications, SOPs, labeling documentation, regulatory documentation, and project records.
  • Present technical findings, recommendations, and project updates to customers, cross-functional teams, and executive leadership.
  • Serve as a technical resource by providing guidance, sharing subject matter expertise, and supporting the successful execution of complex product development initiatives.
  • Maintain accurate project documentation and product development databases.
  • Participate in innovation initiatives, competitive product evaluations, product testing, and continuous improvement activities.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
  • Advanced knowledge of meat/poultry science, food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and product formulation.
  • Strong understanding of product development processes from concept through commercialization readiness.
  • Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes and operational feasibility.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze complex technical challenges and develop practical business solutions.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
  • Ability to effectively influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
  • Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Demonstrated commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; experience with product development systems and AI-assisted tools preferred.
  • Behaviors consistent with Standard Meat Company's ethics and values.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
  • Must be open to travel 10 - 30% of time

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Poultry Science, Biochemistry, or a related scientific or technical field required; Master's degree preferred.
  • Minimum five years of progressive experience in food product development, meat science, or a related technical role.
  • Demonstrated experience independently leading complex product development projects from formulation through commercialization readiness.
  • Experience supporting plant trials, manufacturing scale-up, and commercialization activities.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply advanced technical knowledge to solve complex product development and manufacturing challenges.
  • Experience presenting technical information to customers and cross-functional leadership preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS:
  • Standing: Performed for over 2/3 of the time.
  • Walking: Performed for over 2/3 of the time.
  • Sitting: Performed for over 2/3 of the time.
  • Using hands to finger, handle, or feel: Performed for over 2/3 of the time.
  • Reaching with hands and arms: Performed for over 2/3 of the time.
  • Climbing or balancing: Performed for under 1/3 of the time.
  • Stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling: Performed for under 1/3 of the time

WEIGHTLIFTING AND FORCE EXERTION:
  • Up to 10 pounds: Lifted or exerted for over 2/3 of the time.
  • Up to 25 pounds: Lifted or exerted for 2/3 of the time.
  • Up to 50 pounds: Lifted or exerted for 2/3 of the time.
  • Up to 100 pounds: Lifted or exerted for 1/3 of the time.
  • More than 100 pounds: Lifted or exerted for none of the time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
  • Cold Temperature: <45 °F Cooler <0 °F Freezer
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and extreme cold temperatures.
  • The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

We are people powered! If you want to build strong relationships, grow professionally and personally, and produce quality, you'll enjoy your career with us!

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