1

Food Tech Jobs in Arkansas (NOW HIRING)

R&D Technologist

Van Buren, AR · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Food Technologist This position is an entry to mid-level Food Technologist role within the research and development department. The role involves applying scientific principles and food processing ...

Bachelor's degree or higher in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field. * Proven experience in food product development, formulation, and process optimization. * Strong knowledge of food ...

R&D Technologist

Van Buren, AR · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Role Summary This position is an entry to mid-level Food Technologist role within the research and development department. The role involves applying scientific principles and food processing ...

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Food Process Engineering or related R&D discipline ... Work as part of the R&D team to support the scale-up risk and introduction of technology into ...

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Food Process Engineering or related R&D discipline ... Work as part of the R&D team to support the scale-up risk and introduction of technology into ...

Food Service Tech Full Time Mercy - Rogers Requirements: Preferred Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent. Preferred Work Experience: Minimum of 1 year experience in a service-related ...

Food Service Tech Full Time Mercy - Rogers Requirements: Preferred Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent. Preferred Work Experience: Minimum of 1 year experience in a service-related ...

Food Service Tech Full Time Mercy - Rogers Preferred Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent. Preferred Work Experience: Minimum of 1 year experience in a service-related environment/industry.

next page

Showing results 1-20

Food Tech information

See Arkansas salary details

$4

$16

$25

How much do food tech jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for food tech in Arkansas is $16.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.31 and $19.86 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food tech?

Food Tech professionals are experts who apply technology, science, and engineering principles to the production, processing, preservation, packaging, and distribution of food. They work to improve food quality, safety, and sustainability by developing new food products, optimizing manufacturing processes, and ensuring compliance with health regulations. Their work helps bring innovative and healthier food options to consumers while minimizing waste and environmental impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food technologist?

To thrive as a Food Technologist, you need a solid background in food science, chemistry, and microbiology, usually supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with laboratory analysis equipment, food safety standards, and quality control systems like HACCP is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this field. These competencies ensure the safe development, production, and improvement of food products while maintaining regulatory compliance and high quality.

What are some common challenges faced by food tech professionals when developing new food products?

Food Tech professionals often encounter challenges such as balancing taste, texture, and shelf life while adhering to food safety regulations and cost constraints. They must work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including R&D, quality assurance, and marketing to ensure new products meet both consumer expectations and regulatory requirements. Additionally, staying updated on emerging food trends and technologies is crucial to remain competitive in the industry.

What is the difference between Food Tech vs Food Scientist?

AspectFood TechFood Scientist
Required CredentialsDegree in Food Technology, Food Engineering, or relatedDegree in Food Science, Chemistry, or related
Work EnvironmentProduct development labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D centersLaboratories, research institutions, quality control labs
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturing companies, startups, R&D firmsResearch institutions, food companies, government agencies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in food product development and innovationResearching scientific roles in food safety, quality, and research

Food Tech professionals focus on developing new food products, improving manufacturing processes, and applying technology to food production. Food Scientists primarily conduct research, analyze food safety, and study food properties. While both roles work within the food industry, Food Tech emphasizes product development and technological application, whereas Food Scientists focus on scientific research and analysis.

How do I become a food technologist?

To become a food technologist, you typically need a bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships and developing skills in food safety, quality control, and product development are important; certifications like HACCP can also enhance job prospects.

What can you do with food tech?

A Food Tech professional works on developing, improving, and managing food production processes, including product development, quality control, and food safety. They may use tools like automation, data analysis, and food science techniques to innovate and optimize food systems in manufacturing or research settings.

What job categories do people searching Food Tech jobs in Arkansas look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Tech jobs in Arkansas are:

Infographic showing various Food Tech job openings in Arkansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,709 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Fort Smith, AR - Food Technologist

Fort Smith, AR • On-site


Bachoco Corporate
10K+ employees

3.9

Company rating: 3.9 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

438th of 443 rated food and drinks producers


Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

Fort Smith, AR - Food Technologist
Posting Start Date: 7/28/26
Bachoco Group is a leading multi-business and multiprotein producer, and one of the top ten largest globally, with over 40,000 employees. We offer a wide portfolio of products, including chicken, eggs, pork, beef, pet food, and more. Through Bachoco USA, we deliver high-quality chicken products to the U.S. market, serving retail, food service, and national accounts through our fully integrated operations, which include farms, hatcheries, feed mills, and processing plants.
Join us and be part of our success!
Summary: The R&D Food Technologist applies scientific and engineering principles in the research, development, and maintenance of foods.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
  • Conducts basic research and new product research and development of foods.
  • Develops new and improved methods and systems for food processing, production, and packaging.
  • Studies methods to improve quality of foods, such as flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, convenience, or physical, chemical, and microbiological composition of foods.
  • Develops food standards, tests new products in test kitchen and develops specific processing methods, and confers with process engineers, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university; 2 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Must have a valid driver's license and qualify for the company driving program
Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have extensive typing skills and knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software; preferably Word and Excel. Other basic computer skills including knowledge of Windows software are also needed.
Additional Information: Employee must be available for office hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Some after-hours work and light traveling may also be required for this job.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and taste and smell.
The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is frequently required to stoop and kneel. The employee is frequently required to work near moving mechanical parts. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work will be performed in an office, test kitchen, and production plant. Plant work may be frequently include working in a wet or humid condition (non-weather) and occasional exposure to freezer and cooler temperatures of 0 to 40 F. Employee may be regularly required to handle cleaning solutions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Note: Necessary safety equipment will be furnished.
Bachoco USA reserves the right to conduct background screenings for positions deemed necessary and in accordance with applicable laws.
An Equal Opportunity Employer to include women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities.
*Unsolicited Assistance: Please note that Bachoco USA and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of an executed Recruitment Services Agreement, there will be no obligation to any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without an agreement, Bachoco USA and its subsidiaries shall explicitly reserve the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, shall be deemed the property of Bachoco USA.


What Bachoco employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom