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Full Time Food Product Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MetaOption, LLC

Product Development Scientist

Ayer, MA · On-site

Product Development Scientist Skills: scientist, Food Science, Nutrition, product development experience from concept to commercialization in nutrition, food, beverage, supplement, nutraceutical, or ...

MetaOption, LLC

Product Development Scientist

Ayer, MA · On-site

Product Development Scientist Skills: scientist, Food Science, Nutrition, product development experience from concept to commercialization in nutrition, food, beverage, supplement, nutraceutical, or ...

Walmart

$108K - $135K/yr

The Fresh Food Product Development team is dedicated to delivering high-quality, innovative Member ... Live Better U is a company paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in ...

Oobli

Food Technologist, Product Development

Davis, CA · On-site

$60K - $90K/yr

Food Technologist, Product Development Davis, CA, Full-time, on-site Role Description You will be a core member of the Product Development team, responsible for developing prototypes and generating ...

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All JobsFull Time Food Product Development Jobs

Full Time Food Product Development information

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$42.5K

$127K

$144.5K

How much do full time food product development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time food product development in the United States is $126,987.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $143,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Full Time Food Product Development vs Part Time Food Product Development?

AspectFull Time Food Product DevelopmentPart Time Food Product Development
Work HoursTypically 35-40 hours per weekFewer hours, often less than 20 hours per week
ResponsibilitiesComplete product development projects, manage teams, oversee testingAssist in specific tasks, support project phases, limited responsibilities
Work EnvironmentFull-time in corporate or R&D labsPart-time, flexible or project-based settings
CredentialsBachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field, experience preferredSimilar credentials, often entry-level or supporting roles

Full Time Food Product Development involves managing entire projects and working full-time in dedicated environments, while Part Time Food Product Development offers flexible hours with supporting responsibilities. Both roles require relevant food science credentials, but full-time positions typically demand more experience and responsibility.

More about Full Time Food Product Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Full Time Food Product Development jobs? Cities with the most Full Time Food Product Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Product Development jobs? The most popular types of Food Product Development jobs are:
What states have the most Full Time Food Product Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Full Time Food Product Development jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Full Time Food Product Development jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Full Time Food Product Development jobs are:
Full Time Food Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Full Time Food Product Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,987 per year, or $61.1 per hour.
Director of Product Development

Director of Product Development

Request Foods

Holland, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Request Foods rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

56th of 381 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Position: Director of Product Development
Reports to: Senior Director of Sales
Department: Product Development
Location: Holland, M
There has never been a more exciting time to join Request Foods. We’ve been selling products to many of the world’s leading food companies, retailers and restaurants for over 35 years. A privately owned and financially sound company, we do our best to run our business based on Christian values. Whether it’s cooking up great tasting food, assisting in customer support, providing quality and production leadership, or supporting administrative or technical activities, a career at Request Foods is a great opportunity. At Request, we’ve achieved success by treating our employees with integrity, trust and respect. If you’re passionate about food, and the people who help produce it, then Request Foods might just be for you.
Request Foods is seeking a Director of Product Development that provides strategic and operational leadership for the end‑to‑end development, commercialization, and lifecycle management of frozen food products. This role oversees culinary innovation, food science, packaging engineering, and labeling amp; regulatory compliance, ensuring that products are innovative, manufacturable, compliant, and aligned with customer and business objectives. The Director leads a multidisciplinary team of culinary chefs, food scientists, packaging engineers, and regulatory/labeling professionals, serving as the primary cross‑functional partner to Operations, Quality amp; Food Safety, Engineering, Sales, and Supply Chain. Success in this role requires a balance of culinary creativity, technical rigor, regulatory expertise, and disciplined execution within a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Essential Responsibilities:
Product Development amp; Innovation Leadership
  • Define and execute the product development strategy to support customer growth, innovation pipelines, and operational capabilities.
  • Lead new product development from concept through commercialization, ensuring products are scalable, cost‑effective, and operationally ready.
  • Partner with Sales and customers to translate concepts, briefs, and market needs into executable product solutions.
  • Maintain ownership of product specifications, formulas, and documentation throughout the product lifecycle.
Culinary amp; Food Science Oversight
  • Lead and develop a team of culinary chefs and food scientists responsible for formulation, benchtop development, plant trials, and commercialization support.
  • Ensure products meet taste, texture, appearance, and quality expectations while maintaining food safety and cost targets.
  • Support plant troubleshooting, reformulations, and continuous improvement initiatives for existing products.
Packaging Engineering Leadership
  • Provide strategic oversight of packaging engineering activities, including material selection, line compatibility, shelf life, and performance testing.
  • Ensure packaging solutions meet customer requirements, manufacturing capabilities, sustainability goals, and regulatory standards.
  • Partner with Operations and Engineering to support packaging trials, line validations, and equipment compatibility.
Labeling amp; Regulatory Compliance
  • Oversee labeling and regulatory compliance across all products, ensuring adherence to USDA, FDA, and customer‑specific requirements.
  • Ensure accurate nutritional labeling, ingredient statements, allergen declarations, and claims substantiation.
  • Stay current with regulatory changes and proactively assess impact to products, packaging, and documentation.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Serve as a key interface between Product Development, Quality, Food Safety, Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
  • Ensure smooth handoff from development to manufacturing with clear documentation, training, and operational readiness.
  • Support customer audits, technical reviews, and commercialization milestones.
People Leadership amp; Development
  • Build, lead, and mentor high‑performing teams across culinary, food science, packaging, and regulatory disciplines.
  • Establish clear performance expectations, development plans, and succession strategies.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Financial amp; Portfolio Management
  • Manage the Product Development budget, including labor, ingredients, trials, and capital support.
  • Prioritize the product development portfolio to maximize ROI, capacity alignment, and strategic impact.
  • Track key metrics related to speed‑to‑market, commercialization success, and product performance.
Key Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Food Technology, or related discipline.
  • 15+ years of progressive experience in product development within food manufacturing, preferably frozen foods.
  • Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams (culinary, food science, packaging, regulatory).
  • Strong understanding of USDA/FDA regulations, labeling requirements, and food safety systems.
  • Demonstrated success leading commercialization in a high‑volume manufacturing environment.
  • Advanced degree in Food Science or related field.
  • Experience in co‑manufacturing or customer‑driven product development models.
  • Familiarity with ERP systems, BOM management, and commercialization workflows.
Core Competencies:
  • Strategic innovation and execution
  • Regulatory and labeling expertise
  • Culinary and technical credibility
  • Cross‑functional influence
  • Financial and portfolio management
  • People development and change leadership
Benefits and Perks:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401k
  • Paid Paternity Leave
  • Wellbeing programs
  • Immediate Holiday Pay
  • Paid Time Off
  • Profit Sharing

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