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Food Science Manager Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Work in concert with department managers to assure timely and accurate reporting of food safety issues to the VP Technical Services. Qualifications * A Master's or doctorate degree in Food Science or ...

Director, Food Safety

Bells, TN · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Work in concert with department managers to assure timely and accurate reporting of food safety issues to the VP Technical Services. Qualifications * A Master's or doctoratedegree in Food Science or ...

Work in concert with department managers to assure timely and accurate reporting of food safety issues to the VP Technical Services. Qualifications * A Master's or doctorate degree in Food Science or ...

$120 - $180/hr

With unique food science expertise and proprietary processes, we've pioneered many firsts. The fire ... Working knowledge of cGMP and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and project management processes and ...

Sensory Manager

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

... Food Science or related discipline Years of Experience - 5+ years of relevant work experience in Consumer-Packaged Goods (Food & Beverage preferred) Specialized Skills- Statistical Analysis ...

... Food Science, Sensory Science, Consumer Science, Biology, Psychology, or related field 2+ years of experience in sensory evaluation, consumer research, or product testing Familiar with managing ...

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or a related scientific discipline * 10+ years of experience in quality control, quality assurance, or laboratory management within food ...

Showing results 21-40

Food Science Manager information

See Tennessee salary details

$10

$19

$36

How much do food science manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for food science manager in Tennessee is $19.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.05 and $21.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a food science manager do?

A Food Science Manager oversees teams that develop, test, and improve food products to ensure quality, safety, and compliance with regulations. They manage research projects, coordinate with other departments like production and marketing, and implement quality control standards. Their role often includes supervising food scientists and technologists, analyzing data from experiments, and staying updated on industry trends. Food Science Managers play a key part in launching new products and maintaining the safety and nutritional value of foods.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food science manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Science Manager, you need a solid background in food science, chemistry, or a related field, often supported by a bachelor's or master's degree and experience in food product development or quality assurance. Familiarity with laboratory testing equipment, food safety regulations, and systems like HACCP or SQF is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you manage teams and collaborate across departments. These skills ensure the development of safe, high-quality products while maintaining regulatory compliance and effective team operations.

What are some common challenges food science managers face when leading product development teams?

Food Science Managers often navigate the complex balance between innovation, regulatory compliance, and cost-effectiveness while leading product development teams. They must ensure that new formulations meet safety and quality standards, all while aligning with consumer trends and company goals. Effective communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams—such as marketing, procurement, and quality assurance—are crucial to address these challenges. Additionally, adapting to rapidly changing technologies and market demands can present ongoing hurdles that require flexibility and strategic planning.

What is the difference between Food Science Manager vs Food Technologist?

AspectFood Science ManagerFood Technologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's in food science, management experienceBachelor's in food science or related field
Work EnvironmentOversees teams, manages projects, strategic planningDevelops and tests food products, laboratory work
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturing, quality assurance, R&DProduct development, quality control, testing labs

Food Science Managers typically oversee teams and projects in food companies, requiring management skills and experience, while Food Technologists focus on product development and testing. Both roles are essential in the food industry but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Science jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Food Science jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Food Science Manager jobs in Tennessee?

For Food Science Manager jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Science Manager jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Science Manager jobs in Tennessee are:

Infographic showing various Food Science Manager job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,527 per year, or $20 per hour.

Commercialization Project Manager

Sterling Engineering Inc.

Knoxville, TN

$145K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 16 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead cross-functional commercialization projects through the full product lifecycle, from concept development to commercial launch.

  • Develop and manage project plans, schedules, milestones, budgets, and critical path activities.

  • Coordinate teams across Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Marketing, and Sales to ensure project success.


Job description

Job Title: Commercialization Project Manager
Location: Knoxville, TN
Hire Type: Direct Hire, Onsite
Target Compensation: $145,000 base salary + annual bonus
Travel: Est. 10–20% (mostly local)
Benefits: Full employee benefits, company-funded pension plan, relocation assistance
 
Job Summary:
Sterling Engineering is partnering with to hire a Commercialization Project Manager to lead new product commercialization projects from concept through market launch. This role serves as the project leader for cross-functional teams responsible for bringing new products from development into full-scale manufacturing. You'll manage the entire product lifecycle, partnering with Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Marketing, and Sales to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and ready for successful launch. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced project manager who enjoys leading complex initiatives, driving continuous improvement, and collaborating across multiple business functions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
 
Must Have Skills:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, or a related technical discipline
  • 8+ years of project management and product commercialization experience within manufacturing
  • Experience leading New Product Introduction (NPI) or commercialization projects from concept through launch
  • Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management skills
  • Experience with Stage-Gate product development processes
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Project or similar project management software
  • Preferred:
  • Food & Beverage or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturing experience
 
Job Duties:
  • Lead cross-functional commercialization projects through the full product lifecycle, from concept development to commercial launch.
  • Develop and manage project plans, schedules, milestones, budgets, and critical path activities.
  • Coordinate Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Marketing, and Sales teams to ensure project success.
  • Drive manufacturing readiness, pilot production, process scale-up, and production launch activities.
  • Identify project risks, develop mitigation strategies, and resolve issues that impact project timelines or objectives.
  • Facilitate Stage-Gate reviews and communicate project status to leadership and key stakeholders.
  • Partner with manufacturing teams to ensure successful knowledge transfer and operational readiness.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen commercialization processes and project execution.
  • Travel 10–20% to manufacturing facilities as needed.
 
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Food Science, or related technical field (required)
  • 8+ years of experience in project management, commercialization, engineering, or manufacturing
  • Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional projects in a manufacturing environment
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, commercialization, and product launch processes
  • Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
  • Food manufacturing experience strongly preferred
  • PMP certification
  • Lean Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement certification


Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.