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Food Research Development Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

American Nutrition

R&D Scientist

Bern, KS

JOB PURPOSE: Alphia, one of the nation's leading custom pet food manufacturing companies, is looking for a skilled R&D Scientist. The R&D Scientist is responsible for managing research and ...

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Food Research Development information

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$43.3K

$90.8K

$147.2K

How much do food research development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for food research development in Kansas is $90,785.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $103,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food research development?

A Food Research Development job focuses on creating, improving, and testing food products to enhance quality, taste, safety, and shelf life. Professionals in this field work with ingredients, formulations, and processing techniques to develop new recipes or refine existing ones. They collaborate with food scientists, nutritionists, and production teams to ensure products meet consumer expectations and regulatory standards. Additionally, they may research market trends and evaluate new technologies to drive innovation in the food industry.

What are the typical responsibilities of a food research development?

Professionals in Food Research Development are responsible for creating and testing new food products, improving existing formulas, and ensuring quality and safety standards are met throughout the development process. Daily tasks often include conducting laboratory experiments, analyzing sensory and nutritional data, documenting findings, and collaborating with cross-functional teams such as marketing, quality assurance, and production. You'll also participate in pilot plant trials and may engage directly with suppliers or regulatory agencies. This role is highly collaborative and requires both independent research and teamwork to bring innovative food products to market.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in food research development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Food Research Development, a strong background in food science, chemistry, or related fields—often supported by a relevant degree—is essential. Experience with laboratory research tools, food safety standards, analytical software, and potentially HACCP certification is highly valued. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set exceptional candidates apart. These skills and qualifications are crucial for developing innovative, safe, and market-ready food products in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Research Development jobs in Kansas?

The most popular types of Food Research Development jobs in Kansas are:

What are popular job titles related to Food Research Development jobs in Kansas?

For Food Research Development jobs in Kansas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Research Development jobs in Kansas look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Research Development jobs in Kansas are:

Food Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Research Development job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,785 per year, or $43.6 per hour.

Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager

Balls Food Stores

Kansas City, KS • On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Re-posted 5 days ago

Balls Foods rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Tippin's Pie Plant, a proud Balls Foods brand, has been bringing families together around the table for more than 40 years. Known for premium pies crafted with quality ingredients and time-honored recipes, Tippin's has built a reputation for excellence that customers trust.

We're looking for an experienced Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager to help protect that legacy by leading Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and Research & Development at our Tippin's Pie Plant.

If you're passionate about food safety, thrive in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, enjoy developing teams, driving continuous improvement, and bringing innovative products to market, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

As our Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership for Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and Research & Development while partnering across the organization to strengthen product quality, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing excellence.

In this role, you'll:

  • Lead Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and Research & Development initiatives for the manufacturing facility
  • Serve as the facility's Food Safety leader, Primary Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), and SQF Practitioner
  • Maintain and strengthen Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, including SQF, HACCP, FDA, USDA, FSMA, GMPs, SSOPs, Preventive Controls, and regulatory compliance
  • Lead customer, regulatory, and third-party audits while ensuring audit readiness and compliance
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance food safety, product quality, operational performance, and customer satisfaction
  • Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales, and leadership to improve manufacturing performance and support business objectives
  • Lead investigations involving customer concerns, food safety events, quality issues, and corrective actions
  • Support new product development, commercialization, product validations, customer sampling, and specification management
  • Utilize ERP systems, quality management systems, Microsoft Office, and data analytics to monitor performance, support reporting, and identify opportunities for improvement
  • Develop and coach Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and Research & Development teammates while fostering accountability, engagement, and professional growth
What You'll BringRequired Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and progressive food manufacturing experience
  • Minimum five (5) years of experience in Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Compliance, or food manufacturing, including at least two (2) years supporting or leading Research & Development, product development, or commercialization activities
  • Three (3)+ years of leadership experience leading technical or operational teams
  • Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, including SQF, HACCP, FDA, USDA, FSMA, Preventive Controls, GMPs, SSOPs, environmental monitoring, sanitation, and regulatory compliance
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience utilizing ERP, quality management, specification management, or manufacturing systems
  • HACCP Certification (or ability to obtain within six months)
  • PCQI Certification (or ability to obtain within six months)
Preferred Qualifications
  • SQF Practitioner Certification
  • Experience in bakery or frozen food manufacturing
  • Product development and commercialization experience
  • Master's degree in Food Science or related field
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish)

At Tippin's Pie Plant, you'll have the opportunity to protect and strengthen one of the Midwest's most recognized bakery brands while helping shape the future of food safety, quality, and product innovation. As part of the Balls Foods family, you'll work alongside a collaborative leadership team that values integrity, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and investing in its teammates.

If you're ready to make an impact on products enjoyed by families for generations, we'd love to hear from you.

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About Balls Foods

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Balls Foods is a well-established entity in the grocery industry, based in Kansas City, KS, US. Operating successfully for over nine decades, Balls Foods has a grand collection of grocery stores, including Hen House Markets, Price Chopper, Sun Fresh Markets, and Payless Discount Foods. Established in the 1920s by Sidney and Mollie Ball, it initially began as a fruit stand. As of today, it consists of 29 grocery stores and 1,000 Associates, marking their exponential growth and persistent success in the grocery business. Their mission is to create unforgettable grocery shopping experiences for their customers by providing superior products and exceptional customer service.

Industry

Supermarkets and grocery stores

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Kansas City, KS, US

Year founded

1923

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