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Food Product Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

5th HQ

Product Development Manager

Pembroke Pines, FL

$80K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Product Development Manager to lead our R&D efforts in an FDA ... Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or a related field. * Experience: A minimum ...

Blount Fine Foods

Product Development Chef

Fall River, MA · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Description Bringing our love of food to families for five generations! Blount Fine Foods is a ... The Product Development Chef will support the Product Development team, sales, marketing and all ...

Oobli

Food Technologist, Product Development

Davis, CA · On-site

$60K - $90K/yr

Food Technologist, Product Development Davis, CA, Full-time, on-site Role Description You will be a core member of the Product Development team, responsible for developing prototypes and generating ...

Oobli

Food Technologist, Product Development

Davis, CA · On-site

Salary: $60,000-$90,000 per year Food Technologist, Product Development Davis, CA, Full-time, on-site Role Description You will be a core member of the Product Development team, responsible for ...

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Food Product Development information

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How much do food product development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for food product development in the United States is $126,987.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $143,000.00 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.
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Food Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Product Development job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,987 per year, or $61.1 per hour.
Product Development Manager

Product Development Manager

Baxters North America Inc

Cincinnati, OH • On-site

$109K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Scope of Job: This position manages and directs the product development programs to meet organizational needs and to capitalize on potential new products. Develop and implement product development procedures and techniques. Oversees complex research projects, analyzes results, and provides recommendations based on findings. Assesses the scope of research projects and ensures they are on time and within budget. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Extensive knowledge of department processes.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

  • Provide on-going coaching, training, development, and daily direction for R&D resources.
  • Provide guidance to lab personnel and scientists on technical formulation requirements, specification development, data collection, and procedures.
  • Help to supply and create an environment that supports a high-performing team.
  • Guide teams to develop a keen sense of technical rigor with product implementation from conception through commercialization.
  • Align resources and ensure prioritization within product development team to support the business strategy and financial goals.
  • Facilitates staff’s understanding of the business case for project assignments, new products/concepts, and strategy.
  • Advanced working knowledge of an R&D organization, including product development flow and project management from conception to product launch.
  • Function as conduit between Product Development and cross-functional teams to facilitate problem solving and remove roadblocks.
  • Effectively develop and manage technical timelines, provide clear communication, raise issues and risks, and develop contingency plans.
  • Acts as a consultant on problems within product design, quality, and processing to make authoritative technical recommendations during project stage-gate process.
  • Examine, Study, and Investigate industry trends and processes to identify opportunities in multiple product categories such as meal solutions, health and wellness, and food service.
  • Identify internal opportunities by challenging formulation, manufacturing, and organizational process assumptions. Collaborate with other teams to implement changes/improvements.
  • Provide transparency to organization of current project status and implementation.
  • Work closely with Account Managers and Business Development to provide product information and technical support to customers.
  • Leverage vendor capabilities, where appropriate, to expand formulation possibilities, research new ingredients, product technologies and/or increase speed to market. Collaborate with vendors to research new ingredients, product technologies, and/or processes to develop unique and innovative products.
  • Fosters environment of collaboration within site Product Development team as well as the full R&D organization.
  • Collaborate with production and supporting departments to ensure the food safety and quality of our products.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor’s Food Science, M.S. Food Science, or equivalent.

Experience: 5 years of experience in research and product development, process development, or similar experience in food related industry. 1-3 years of direct people management experience, especially coaching new and experienced team members. Preferred experience in factory environment, scaling from benchtop research and development to commercialization. Experience in savory flavor applications (i.e. sauce, soups, and side dishes) a plus.

Competencies: Product Innovation, Product Intelligence, Product Research, Project Scoping, Quantitative Research, Research and Development, Research Documentation, Business Acumen, Technical and Professional Knowledge, strong Problem-Solving skills, strong Communication and Presentation skills, Organizational and Planning skills, Goal Oriented, Continuous Learning, Integrity, and Operational Excellence.

Travel 15-20%.