ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Food Research Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lab37

Research & Development Chef

Los Angeles, CA

$75K - $110K/yr

Our mission is to revolutionize the food industry by creating innovative robotic solutions that ... This isn't just an R&D role -- you're helping define the culinary roadmap for a business with ...

Grande Cheese

Research & Development Intern

Fond Du Lac, WI · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Research & Development Intern The Custom Ingredients Group team is seeking a Research & Development ... food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to ...

Guided Search Partners

R&D Manager

Syracuse, NY · On-site

$110 - $140/hr

Maintain food safety and quality documentation related to product development * Manage project ... Research new ingredients, technologies, and methods to enhance product quality * Work with ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsManufacturing JobsFood Manufacturing JobsFood Processor JobsFood Research Development Jobs

Food Research Development information

See salary details

$48.5K

$101.8K

$165K

How much do food research development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for food research development in the United States is $101,794.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $116,500.00 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.

More about Food Research Development jobs

What cities are hiring for Food Research Development jobs?

Cities with the most Food Research Development job openings:

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

The most popular types of Food Research Development jobs are:

What states have the most Food Research Development jobs?

States with the most job openings for Food Research Development jobs include:

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

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

Food Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Research Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,794 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Director, Research & Development

Bigelow LLC

Fairfield, CT • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Bigelow Tea is the number one specialty tea company in the United States. We are a family-owned and operated business and a Certified B Corporation. Being a certified B Corp officially recognizes a commitment that has been part of the company's DNA since it was founded 80 years ago. Our purpose has always been about much more than making profits. We are committed to good citizenship, ethical business practices, accountability, transparency, protecting the environment, sustainability and supporting our communities. We pride ourselves in caring about each and every one of our employees. We have a long-term outlook and are constantly working to create an environment that inspires people to make positive contributions every day. Bigelow is currently looking for a select, talented individual, that shares our values, to join our growing team.
Job Title: Director, Research and Development
Work Location: Fairfield
Division/Department: Marketing
Reports to: Vice President, Marketing and R&D
Status: Full-time | Exempt
Position Summary
At Bigelow Tea, product is at the heart of everything we do. The Director of Product Development will lead how we bring that commitment to life, evolving our core tea offerings while helping expand into new usage occasions and consumers.
This role is responsible for turning ideas into exceptional products, grounded in strong formulation, deep manufacturing understanding, and a relentless focus on quality. Working closely with Marketing, this leader will provide critical product and technical input to shape innovation, while owning the development and scale-up of products.
Equally important, this person will build and lead a team that operates with curiosity, accountability, and pride in craft.
Key Responsibilities
Product Development
  • Lead the development of new and existing products from concept through scale-up, ensuring they meet Bigelow's high standards for quality, taste, and consistency
  • Translate innovation briefs into well-developed, technically sound products
  • Provide practical, experience-based input into product concepts based on feasibility, ingredients, and performance
  • Ensure every product reflects the Bigelow brand-thoughtful, high-quality, and consumer-focused
Core Product Craft & Optimization
  • Continuously elevate the quality and performance of Bigelow's core tea bag portfolio
  • Lead improvements in flavor consistency, ingredient quality, and packaging performance
  • Identify opportunities to enhance value while protecting the integrity of the product
  • Bring a hands-on, detail-oriented approach to product excellence
Manufacturing & Scale-Up
  • Bring deep manufacturing knowledge into product development decisions from the start
  • Lead scale-up from bench to production, ensuring products are reliable and repeatable
  • Partner closely with internal operations and external co-packers to develop products that work in real-world conditions
  • Lead plant trials and solve problems proactively to ensure strong outcomes

Team Leadership
  • Build, coach, and develop a team of product developers, many early in their careers
  • Create an environment where people feel ownership of their work and pride in the outcome
  • Encourage curiosity, experimentation, and continuous improvement
  • Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable to high standards
Ways of Working
  • Establish clear, effective approaches to product development that balance creativity with discipline
  • Bring structure and clarity to how work gets done-without slowing momentum
  • Ensure strong execution across multiple projects, with clear ownership and follow-through
Partnership Across the Business
  • Work closely with Marketing to provide product insight and feasibility input as ideas are shaped
  • Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, and Regulatory to ensure products are developed responsibly and effectively
  • Act as the bridge between concept and product reality
Qualifications
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, or related field
  • Advanced degree preferred
Experience
  • 10-15+ years in product development within CPG, ideally in beverages or adjacent categories
  • Strong track record of developing and improving products in manufacturing-driven environments
  • Experience working with both internal manufacturing teams and co-packers
  • Experience in tea, coffee, or similar categories preferred
What Sets You Apart
  • You bring both craft and practicality-you care deeply about the product and know how to make it work at scale
  • You're as comfortable in a plant as you are in a development lab
  • You develop people, not just products
  • You create clarity and accountability without overcomplicating things
  • You're energized by the opportunity to build, improve, and elevate

Travel Requirements
• Travel as required for product development, customer meetings, research and internal collaboration. Up to 25%.
Bigelow Company Overview
Based in Fairfield, CT and 100% family and woman-owned, the Bigelow Tea Company pioneered the specialty tea category over 80 years ago. The third-generation company takes pride in its heritage and successful growth from a one-product, entrepreneurial venture into America's #1 leading tea company brand.
Bigelow Tea is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Bigelow Tea does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Bigelow logo

About Bigelow

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Investment banking and securities dealing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Portsmouth, NH, US

Year founded

1935

View All Bigelow Jobs

Apply