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Food Technologist Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Butterball

Food Scientist

Garner, NC · On-site

Firm knowledge in food technology, ingredient technology, and food processing * Demonstrated ... ability to use new technology to significantly improve profitability, product quality, food safety ...

Carolina CoPacking

Food Scientist

Henderson, NC

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or related field required; Master's degree preferred. * Minimum 3-5 years of experience in food product development, manufacturing, or ...

Carolina CoPacking

Food Scientist

Henderson, NC · On-site

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or related field required; Master's degree preferred. * Minimum 3-5 years of experience in food product development, manufacturing, or ...

SAS

Food Service Technician (Emerging Careers)

Cary, NC · On-site

Food Service Technician (Emerging Careers) | Cary, NC (Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 2:30pm) Nice to ... We're recognized around the world for our inclusive, meaningful culture and innovative technologies ...

Compass Group

CASHIER/FOOD SERVICE WORKER

Durham, NC · On-site

$13.50 - $16.50/hr

We combine food, service, and experience backed by industry-leading technology to help companies create a better workplace and connect their employees. Canteen's solutions include markets, office ...

KFC

Food Production

Selma, NC

$12/hr

Champions recognition and motivation efforts Requirements The ideal candidates must want to have fun serving great food to our customers! * Must be at least 16 years of age * Accessibility to ...

Canteen

CASHIER/FOOD SERVICE WORKER (FULL TIME)

Durham, NC · On-site

$13.50 - $16.50/hr

We combine food, service, and experience backed by industry-leading technology to help companies create a better workplace and connect their employees. Canteen's solutions include markets, office ...

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Food Technologist information

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$14

$29

$47

How much do food technologist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for food technologist in Raleigh, NC is $29.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.37 and $33.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Food Technologists face when developing new products?

Food Technologists often encounter challenges such as balancing food safety regulations with creative formulation, ensuring new products meet both taste and texture expectations, and sourcing cost-effective, high-quality ingredients. They must also navigate tight timelines for product launches and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams like marketing, quality assurance, and production. Adapting recipes to scale from lab to full manufacturing while maintaining consistency can be particularly demanding, requiring strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

What Do Food Technologists Do?

A food technologist works for a food manufacturer to develop new food products or improve existing products. Your job duties and responsibilities may include developing food products that meet mandated standards, improving shelf life, researching new trends and ingredients, studying consumer feedback, and ensuring product packaging accuracy. You may also perform quality assurance checks on the manufacturing process.

What do you need to be a food technologist?

To become a food technologist, a bachelor's degree in food science, microbiology, chemistry, or a related field is typically required. Relevant skills include knowledge of food safety standards, laboratory techniques, and product development, often complemented by certifications such as HACCP. Experience in food manufacturing or quality control is also valuable.

What is the difference between Food Technologist vs Food Scientist?

AspectFood TechnologistFood Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field
Work EnvironmentFood manufacturing plants, quality control labs, product developmentResearch labs, academic institutions, product innovation settings
Industry UsageApplied roles focusing on product development, quality assurance, and productionResearch, experimentation, and scientific analysis of food properties

Food Technologists primarily focus on applying scientific principles to develop, improve, and ensure the quality of food products in manufacturing settings. Food Scientists often engage in research and experimentation to understand food properties and innovate new products. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds, Food Technologists tend to work more in production environments, whereas Food Scientists are more involved in research and development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Food Technologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Technologist, you need a solid background in food science, chemistry, and microbiology, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's degree or higher. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, food safety regulations, and quality assurance systems like HACCP is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are critical soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the development of safe, high-quality food products and compliance with industry standards.

What is the role of a food technologist?

A food technologist develops, tests, and improves food products to ensure safety, quality, and compliance with regulations. They analyze ingredients, oversee production processes, and may use laboratory equipment to conduct quality control and food safety assessments.

What is the highest salary for a food technologist?

The highest salaries for food technologists can exceed $100,000 annually, especially for those with extensive experience, advanced degrees, or leadership roles in large companies. Salaries vary based on location, industry, and level of expertise, with senior positions and specialized skills commanding higher pay.

What are Food Technologists?

Food Technologists are professionals who apply scientific principles to develop, improve, and ensure the safety and quality of food products. They work on creating new food items, enhancing flavors, extending shelf life, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. Their work often involves research, testing, and collaboration with other specialists in areas like nutrition and engineering. Food technologists play a crucial role in the food industry, helping to make food products safer, tastier, and more sustainable.

What can I do with a food technology degree?

A food technologist can work in food product development, quality assurance, food safety, and manufacturing. They often analyze ingredients, develop new products, and ensure compliance with regulations using skills in chemistry, microbiology, and food processing. Career options include roles in research, quality control, regulatory affairs, and production management.
More about Food Technologist jobs
What are popular job titles related to Food Technologist jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Food Technologist jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Technologist jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Food Technologist jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Food Technologist jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Food Technologist job openings:
Food Technologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Technologist job openings in Raleigh, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $60,633 per year, or $29.2 per hour.
Food Scientist

Food Scientist

Butterball

Garner, NC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Butterball rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

295th of 434 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Guides less complex product development and process improvement efforts in Renovation R&D by organizing, managing, and coordinating key projects from conception to commercialization. Provides technical support to the operations, sales, and marketing teams.
At Butterball, we exist to help people pass love on. As the most recognized name in turkey, the brand represents more than 60 years of cherished memories, providing quality, great tasting products that make meals something to celebrate every day. We proudly believe that life at Butterball means having a team who supports you, having the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, and making an impact on the health of others daily.
Whether you choose to work at one of our five (5) manufacturing facilities in NC, AR, MO, farms in AR, NC, and KS, corporate office in NC, IL, or in the field, we believe we have an opportunity for everyone to succeed. At Butterball, we believe in fostering a culture where every team member is valued, has the opportunity to grow professionally and contribute to our success. Join us in our Purpose and apply for an opportunity today!
Key Responsibilities
  • Organizes and owns the R&D activities of assigned projects to ensure work is properly prioritized and completed in a timely manner to deliver results.
  • Executes new products from conception to commercialization by working with sales, marketing, operation, purchasing and quality assurance.
  • Maintains external and marketplace awareness related to new concepts, products, ingredients, and technologies.
  • Engages team members to communicate and guide technical support for development of new products and technologies.
  • Identifies and recommends new raw materials, ingredients, materials, and processes that improve products and reduce cost.
  • Identifies, tests, and implements new processes and product formulas that lead to new products, cost savings and quality improvements.
  • Provides technical support to operations to ensure product excellence and cost efficiency.
  • Provides technical support to the Marketing and Sales teams to service existing customers and help gain new ones.
  • Supports continuous improvement opportunities and solutions directed at improving profitability, product quality, food safety and capital avoidance.
  • Seeks to enhance technical skills through project experience, seminars, professional conferences, and training programs..

Minimum Qualifications (Educations & Experience)
  • Minimum bachelor's degree in food science/related field or equivalent
  • 3+ years of relevant experience or the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the role
  • Experience managing research and development projects

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Butterball Core Competencies
Caring about people, valuing contributions, and empowering to succeed is the Butterball Way. We recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to Butterball and seek to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Everyone has a seat at the table and is expected to embody our core competencies:
  • Safety First: We put safety first. The health, safety, and well-being of our people, products, and turkeys is everyone's responsibility and everyone's jobs.
  • Integrity: We trust each other to do the right thing. We act with integrity and gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, respect, and authenticity.
  • Stewardship: We take care of what matters. We are accountable to our commitments and take responsibility for the well-being of our teams, our quality, our customers, our business, our brand, and our communities. We are always answerable for our actions and those we lead.
  • Enthusiastic Attitudes: We create a climate where everyone feels they belong and can be engaged, every day. Where our people are enthusiastic and motivated to do their best and work together to make great things happen.
  • Continuous Improvement: We are committed to continuous improvement. We challenge ourselves and our company to constantly learn, develop, grow, improve, and innovate.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Solid oral and written communication, analytical, time-management, and human relation skills
  • Firm knowledge in food technology, ingredient technology, and food processing
  • Demonstrated ability to use new technology to significantly improve profitability, product quality, food safety and manufacturing complexity issues
  • Firm initiation skills with the ability to yield results
  • Technical/functional depth and proficiency in MS office suite
  • Experience with new product launches, problem-solving, and creative thinking

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Poultry science / poultry processing experience

Physical Demands
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, keyboard, and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions
  • Work will be performed in a variety of conditions including remote work, a climate-controlled office environment(s), and in a manufacturing plant environment with varying conditions, such as cold areas, wet areas, warm areas, chemicals, and other site conditions. This position requires the individual to wear and work in personal protective equipment while in the manufacturing environment. For remote work, the employee must have a dedicated workspace to safely setup and use assigned IT equipment, preferably free from distractions. The employee is responsible for ensuring adequate internet service is available when working remotely (the recommended minimum speed is 20mb download and 5mb upload).
  • The noise level of the office environment is usually moderate; the noise level in the manufacturing environment may exceed 85 DBA and require hearing protection.
  • Required to travel up to 50% of the time. Requires at least 2 days per week in an manufacturing facility, potentially more pending project needs.

Disclaimer
We embrace equal opportunity employment. Butterball is committed to the fair and impartial treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without regard to gender, age, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law.
This position is deemed Safety Sensitive for purposes of Butterball's Drug/Alcohol Screening & Testing Policy. Details will be provided to individuals who receive a conditional job offer, or upon request.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of what is required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not imply or establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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.

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About Butterball

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Butterball, LLC, one of America's most iconic brands, helps consumers celebrate Thanksgiving and every day in between. Located in the thriving Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area, our goal is to provide a diverse array of career opportunities and paths which include our farms, processing facilities and support offices. We are the largest producer of turkey products in the U.S., and we make a lot more than Thanksgiving turkeys. Our company's measurable growth is in no small part due to our team members in North Carolina, Arkansas, Illinois, and Missouri, who each have a seat at the table to contribute to our success

Industry

Food and beverage wholesalers

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Garner, NC, US

Year founded

1954

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