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Food Research Development Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

BEL

Senior R&D Scientist

Grawn, MI · On-site

$100K - $127K/yr

Research / Development / Innovation Type of contract: Unlimited-term Working mode: On-site work Job ... Lead development, validation, and commercialization of new food products, recipes, processes, and ...

Bel

Senior R&D Scientist

Traverse City, MI · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

Traverse City, MI; and Nampa, ID. #IWorkForAllForGood Summary The Senior R&D Scientist leads the development, validation, and commercialization of new food products, recipes, processes, and product ...

SnackCraft

Sr. Food Scientist

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Work Environment This job will utilize the R&D Lab in an office environment to create bench samples ... Food Scientists are expected to spend equal parts in the office as well as the production floor.

Kalsec, Inc.

Senior Scientist - Color Innovation

Kalamazoo, MI · On-site

$86K - $118K/yr

Experience in food R&D with demonstrated work in product development, ingredient functionality, or new product development * Strong knowledge of food chemistry and ingredient interactions * Hands-on ...

University of Michigan

RESEARCH FELLOW

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

Job Summary A Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available in the Edwards Lab at the ... developmental biology of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (food pipe). For more information ...

Memorial Healthcare

Research Coordinator

Owosso, MI · On-site

... with Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), local ... Participates with the PI and study team to identify and prioritize the development of systems and ...

COMPUTECH CV, LLC

R&D Data Analyst

Harrison, MI · On-site

Keen insights regarding raw materials in the manufacture of food and beverage will enable analysis ... Exposure to product development, manufacturing, and/or supply quality is also desirable (5+ years)

Amway

Associate Packaging Engineer II

Ada, MI · On-site

$73K - $90K/yr

Nutrition West Center of Excellence - Research & Development Salary Range: $73,508/yr - $90,000 per ... Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering * 1-3 years' experience in consumable goods (food ...

Amway Inc.

Associate Packaging Engineer II

Ada, MI · On-site

$73K - $90K/yr

Nutrition West Center of Excellence - Research & Development Salary Range: $73,508/yr - $90,000 per ... Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering * 1-3 years' experience in consumable goods (food ...

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Food Research Development information

See Michigan salary details

$42.3K

$88.7K

$143.8K

How much do food research development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for food research development in Michigan is $88,723.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,500.00 and $101,500.00 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 Michigan?

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

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

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

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

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

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Food Research Development jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Food Research Development job openings:

Food Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Research Development job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% Internship, 66% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $88,723 per year, or $42.7 per hour.

Senior R&D Scientist

BEL

Grawn, MI • On-site

$100K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

7/24/26
Country: United States
Job Location: Traverse City
Job Family: Research / Development / Innovation
Type of contract: Unlimited-term
Working mode: On-site work
Job Id: 54025
Senior R&D Scientist
Bel is part of a mission-driven, family-owned company with 160 years of innovation and social purpose, a presence in 120 countries, and a commitment to repositioning the role of snacking to help support a balanced diet. With beloved brands like Babybel®, GoGo squeeZ®, The Laughing Cow®, and Boursin®, Bel U.S. creates delicious fruit, veggie, and dairy portion-sized snacks that bring nourishment, joy, and convenience to everyday life.
Guided by the values of care, dare, and commit, Bel is committed to the Fight for Better Snacking-delivering accessible, portion-sized options while advancing sustainable innovation, healthier snacking, regenerative agriculture, circular economy, and community support. Bel's mission gives the company a powerful platform to show up credibly at industry moments that shape conversations, partnerships, and the future of food.
The company has headquarters in Chicago and New York City and operates 4 manufacturing plants in Little Chute, WI; Brookings, SD; Traverse City, MI; and Nampa, ID. #IWorkForAllForGood
Job Description Summary
The Senior R&D Scientist leads the development, validation, and commercialization of new food products, recipes, processes, and product improvements for Bel's GoGo SqueeZ fruit-based snacking portfolio. This role manages complex local R&D projects with limited direction, partners cross-functionally with internal teams and external suppliers, and applies advanced food science expertise to deliver solutions that meet consumer expectations, business needs, food safety, quality, cost, and manufacturing requirements. The position also supports continuous improvement, technical documentation, launch readiness, and team capability by serving as a strong technical role model and sharing expertise across projects. This is an on-site role based in Traverse City, MI.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Product and Process Development (35%)
  • Lead development, validation, and commercialization of new food products, recipes, processes, and technologies from concept through launch.
  • Translate marketing briefs, consumer needs, technical requirements, and business priorities into development plans, prototypes, timelines, and launch-ready solutions.
  • Develop recipes and process parameters at bench, pilot, and industrial scale while ensuring alignment with food safety, quality, regulatory, cost, and operational requirements.
  • Conduct pilot and industrial trials, write protocols, document results, evaluate product performance, and recommend next steps based on data and risk assessment.
  • Evaluate physical, sensory, organoleptic, chemical, and shelf-life performance to confirm products meet expected functionality and consumer expectations.

Project Leadership and Cross-Functional Execution (25%)
  • Manage complex local R&D projects with limited direction by defining scope, milestones, communication needs, risks, and delivery expectations.
  • Partner with Marketing, Quality, Regulatory, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, and Packaging Engineering teams to develop and launch commercially viable products.
  • Identify and advance development plans and continuous improvement opportunities that support product quality, process reliability, cost optimization, and operational efficiency.
  • Anticipate technical and execution risks, recommend practical contingencies, and influence project-level decisions using technical judgment and business awareness.

Technical Expertise and Continuous Improvement (20%)
  • Apply advanced knowledge of fruit-based products, ingredients, formulation, processing, and manufacturing systems to resolve complex technical challenges independently.
  • Evaluate, develop, and implement new food technologies, ingredients, processing methods, and equipment approaches with limited guidance.
  • Maintain and expand ingredient, supplier, process, and competitive product knowledge through technical literature, supplier engagement, benchmarking, trade shows, and industry learning.
  • Support optimization of existing products and processes, including quality improvement, cost reduction, production troubleshooting, and customer complaint resolution.

Documentation, Compliance, and Launch Support (15%)
  • Create and maintain trial reports, product specifications, process documentation, ingredient documentation, nutritional inputs, label inputs, and launch records.
  • Ensure development work complies with applicable regulations, food safety principles, internal procedures, confidentiality expectations, and project schedules.
  • Support raw material and supplier qualification through conformity testing, technical reviews, documentation, and supplier collaboration.
  • Support scale-up, first production runs, operator training, and troubleshooting in partnership with operations and efficiency teams.

Team Contribution and Technical Role Modeling (5%)
  • Serve as a positive technical role model by demonstrating accountability, curiosity, sound judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset.
  • Share technical knowledge through tastings, product evaluations, training sessions, process demonstrations, and documentation reviews, as appropriate.
  • Contribute to a collaborative R&D culture by modeling professionalism, constructive problem solving, continuous learning, and cross-functional partnership.

Skills and Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in food science, food technology, food chemistry, nutrition, or a related scientific field required; advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum of five years of relevant experience in R&D, product development, formulation, process development, packaging development, or the food industry.
  • Experience with fruit-based products, pouch products, aseptic or thermal processing, manufacturing scale-up, or consumer packaged goods preferred.
  • Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan and execute complex technical projects, manage priorities, identify risks, and drive timely decisions with limited direction.
  • Advanced technical problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to apply data, technical expertise, business context, and risk assessment to recommend practical solutions.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document technical work, influence cross-functional stakeholders, and collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners.
  • Demonstrated learning agility and curiosity, with the ability to quickly understand and apply new concepts, technologies, ingredients, processes, and competitive product knowledge.
  • Continuous improvement mindset, including the ability to support improvements in products, processes, documentation, cost, quality, production troubleshooting, and ways of working.

Internal and External Partnerships
  • Internal: Marketing, Quality, Regulatory, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Operations, Planning, Finance/Controlling, Packaging Engineering, Methods, and Manufacturing teams.
  • External: Raw material suppliers, ingredient suppliers, equipment suppliers, co-manufacturers, analysis laboratories, and technical service providers.

Working Conditions
Work is performed largely in an office, laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing environment. Hours of work generally occur during regular business hours and require at least 40 hours per week. Work hours may vary at times due to special projects, plant trials, production support, deadlines, or other business needs. Up to 10% business travel may be required. The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
TOTAL REWARDS:
  • Base Salary: $90,000 - $100,000
  • Bonus Opportunity: 10%
  • 4% match on 401k
  • PTO, Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage from Day One

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