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Product Development Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

jbpco

Program Manager - Product Development

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

$112K - $139K/yr

We are the Corporate Engineering and Product Development organization within JB Poindexter & Co., supporting nine business units across the company's portfolio of commercial vehicle and upfit ...

jbpco

Program Manager, Product Development

Ann Arbor, MI

$112K - $139K/yr

We are the Corporate Engineering and Product Development organization within JB Poindexter & Co., supporting nine business units across the company's portfolio of commercial vehicle and upfit ...

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Product Development information

See Michigan salary details

$37K

$110.7K

$125.9K

How much do product development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development in Michigan is $110,682.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,800.00 and $124,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is product development?

Product development is the process of creating new products or enhancing existing products to improve market value. It includes all aspects of research, design, testing, and marketing. Product development takes months or years to implement properly because marketers and analysts watch market trends over time to determine whether a product is satisfying a consumer need or want.

What is product development?

Product development is the process of creating new products or improving existing ones to meet customer needs and business goals. It involves several stages, including idea generation, market research, design, prototyping, testing, and launching the product to the market. Product development often requires cross-functional collaboration between teams like marketing, engineering, design, and manufacturing. The goal is to deliver a product that provides value to customers and stands out in the marketplace.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in product development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Product Development, you need expertise in market research, project management, and product lifecycle understanding, often supported by a degree in engineering, business, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Agile software, prototyping platforms, and product management systems (e.g., Jira, Trello) is typically required. Creativity, strong communication, and cross-functional collaboration are crucial soft skills for success in this role. These competencies ensure the creation of innovative, user-centric products that successfully reach the market and meet business goals.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in product development, and how can they be addressed?

Product Development professionals often encounter challenges such as balancing customer needs with technical feasibility, managing cross-functional team communication, and meeting tight deadlines. Navigating these issues typically involves clear prioritization, regular stakeholder check-ins, and fostering a collaborative environment with engineering, design, and marketing teams. Utilizing agile methodologies and maintaining open feedback channels can also help streamline processes and ensure alignment on project goals.

What is the difference between Product Development vs Product Management?

AspectProduct DevelopmentProduct Management
Primary FocusDesigning, creating, and building productsStrategizing, planning, and overseeing product lifecycle
Required SkillsTechnical skills, engineering, designMarket research, communication, leadership
Work EnvironmentEngineering teams, R&D, technical departmentsCross-functional teams, executive meetings
Common CertificationsEngineering degrees, technical certificationsProduct management certifications (e.g., PMP, Scrum)

Product Development focuses on creating and building products, involving technical and engineering tasks. Product Management involves strategizing, planning, and guiding the product's lifecycle, requiring strong market and leadership skills. While they collaborate closely, their core responsibilities differ: one builds, the other manages the product's success.

More about Product Development jobs

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

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

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

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

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

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

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Product Development jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Product Development job openings:

Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Product Development job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,682 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

Director of Product Development

Request Foods

Holland, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

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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