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Head Of Product Development Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Tekton

Product Developer

Grand Rapids, MI

Head of Product Development How to Apply * About the department * The Product Development department designs the tools we produce and ensures they consistently meet our quality expectations. They ...

Tekton

Product Developer

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

Head of Product Development How to Apply * About the department * The Product Development department designs the tools we produce and ensures they consistently meet our quality expectations. They ...

Huntington

Head of Growth Products

Detroit, MI · On-site +1

$230K - $241K/yr

Description The Head of Growth Products serves as the senior leader responsible for defining and ... Lead 0-to-1 product development and 1-to-n scaling of new digital capabilities across priority ...

pregis

Product Development Engineer

Grand Rapids, MI

Support product development team in completion of customer trial orders * Assist R&D in completion of laboratory requests * Review trial results as needed and assist with the management of customer ...

UFP Industries

Product Development Manager

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$110K - $137K/yr

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Industrial Designer / Product Development Manage with 5-7 years of experience leading product development and innovation ...

Pregis

Product Development Engineer

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

Support product development team in completion of customer trial orders * Assist R&D in completion of laboratory requests * Review trial results as needed and assist with the management of customer ...

G-TECH Services

Product Development Engineer

Warren, MI · On-site

$50 - $53/hr

The Product Development Engineer will lead cross-functional teams to support the design, development, and release of exterior hardware mechatronic components. This role is responsible for driving ...

Worden Company

Product Development Engineer

Holland, MI · On-site

Guided by our values of Love, Honesty, Positivity, and Do Your Best, we work collaboratively, take ... As a Product Development Engineer, you will play an important role in bringing new products from ...

New

Shape Corp.

Product Development Engineer

Novi, MI · On-site

Responsible for new product development and associated engineering requirements, including design ... Apply the fundamentals of mechanical theory, material properties, test protocols and basic ...

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Head Of Product Development information

See Michigan salary details

$63.6K

$142.7K

$213.1K

How much do head of product development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for head of product development in Michigan is $142,667.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,600.00 and $161,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a head of product development?

To thrive as a Head of Product Development, you need strong expertise in product strategy, market analysis, and leadership, often supported by a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with product lifecycle management software, agile methodologies, and certifications like PMP or Scrum Master are highly valued. Outstanding communication, cross-functional collaboration, and visionary thinking set top candidates apart in this role. These skills ensure the successful creation, launch, and iteration of products that align with business goals and customer needs.

What are some common challenges faced by a head of product development, and how can they be addressed?

As a Head of Product Development, one of the main challenges is balancing innovation with practical constraints like budget, time, and resource limitations. Additionally, aligning cross-functional teams (such as engineering, marketing, and sales) towards a shared product vision can be complex, especially in fast-paced environments. To address these challenges, it's important to foster transparent communication, set clear priorities, and implement agile methodologies that allow for flexibility and iterative progress. Regular stakeholder meetings and feedback loops also help ensure everyone stays aligned and obstacles are addressed early.

What is the difference between Head Of Product Development vs Product Manager?

AspectHead Of Product DevelopmentProduct Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire product development teams, sets strategic direction, manages multiple projectsFocuses on specific products or features, manages product lifecycle, gathers customer requirements
Required CredentialsTypically requires extensive experience in product development, leadership, and often a technical backgroundUsually requires a background in business, marketing, or related fields, with experience in product management
Work EnvironmentLeadership role within product development teams, often in senior managementCross-functional collaboration with engineering, marketing, and sales teams

The Head Of Product Development is a senior leadership role responsible for guiding the overall product development strategy and managing teams, while the Product Manager focuses on specific products or features, ensuring they meet customer needs and business goals. Both roles require strong communication and industry knowledge, but differ mainly in scope and level of responsibility.

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Product Development jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Of Product Development jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Head Of Product Development jobs in Michigan?

For Head Of Product Development jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Head Of Product Development jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Head Of Product Development jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Head Of Product Development jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Head Of Product Development job openings:

Head Of Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Of Product Development job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,667 per year, or $68.6 per hour.

Director of Product Development

Request Foods

Holland, MI

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 hours ago

Request Foods rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

56th of 443 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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