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Research And Development Food Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

JOB PURPOSE: Alphia, one of the nation's leading custom pet food manufacturing companies, is looking for a skilled R&D Scientist. The R&D Scientist is responsible for managing research and ...

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Research And Development Food information

What does a research and development food professional do?

A Research and Development (R&D) Food professional is responsible for creating and improving food products, recipes, and processes. They conduct experiments to develop new flavors, enhance nutritional value, and improve product safety and shelf life. Their work often involves collaborating with food scientists, technologists, and regulatory teams to ensure products meet industry standards and consumer preferences. R&D Food professionals play a key role in innovation within the food industry, helping companies stay competitive and compliant.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research and development food professional?

To thrive as a Research and Development Food Scientist, you generally need a degree in food science or a related field, strong analytical skills, and a solid understanding of food chemistry and product formulation. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, sensory evaluation software, and food safety regulations such as HACCP is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for innovating and refining food products. These competencies are vital for developing safe, high-quality foods that meet consumer demands and regulatory standards.

How does a research and development food professional typically collaborate with other departments within a food company?

In a food company, Research and Development (R&D) Food professionals work closely with multiple departments such as Quality Assurance, Marketing, Production, and Procurement. They often collaborate with marketing teams to align new product formulations with market trends and customer preferences, and with production staff to ensure that prototypes can be efficiently scaled for mass manufacturing. This cross-functional teamwork is essential for successfully taking a product from concept to launch, making strong communication and project management skills highly valuable in this role.

What is the difference between Research And Development Food and Quality Assurance Food?

AspectResearch And Development FoodQuality Assurance Food
Primary FocusDeveloping new food products and improving existing recipesEnsuring food products meet safety and quality standards
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, product development kitchensQuality control labs, production facilities
Required CredentialsFood science degree, culinary skills, R&D experienceFood safety certifications, quality management training
Industry UsageFood manufacturing, product innovationFood safety, compliance, and quality assurance

Research And Development Food professionals focus on creating and improving food products, while Quality Assurance Food specialists ensure these products meet safety and quality standards. Both roles are essential in the food industry but serve different purposes in the product lifecycle.

What are popular job titles related to Research And Development Food jobs in Kansas?

For Research And Development Food jobs in Kansas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Research And Development Food job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager

Balls Food Stores

Kansas City, KS • On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Re-posted 4 days ago


Balls Foods rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Tippin's Pie Plant, a proud Balls Foods brand, has been bringing families together around the table for more than 40 years. Known for premium pies crafted with quality ingredients and time-honored recipes, Tippin's has built a reputation for excellence that customers trust.

We're looking for an experienced Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager to help protect that legacy by leading Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and Research & Development at our Tippin's Pie Plant.

If you're passionate about food safety, thrive in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, enjoy developing teams, driving continuous improvement, and bringing innovative products to market, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

As our Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership for Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and Research & Development while partnering across the organization to strengthen product quality, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing excellence.

In this role, you'll:

  • Lead Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and Research & Development initiatives for the manufacturing facility
  • Serve as the facility's Food Safety leader, Primary Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), and SQF Practitioner
  • Maintain and strengthen Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, including SQF, HACCP, FDA, USDA, FSMA, GMPs, SSOPs, Preventive Controls, and regulatory compliance
  • Lead customer, regulatory, and third-party audits while ensuring audit readiness and compliance
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance food safety, product quality, operational performance, and customer satisfaction
  • Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales, and leadership to improve manufacturing performance and support business objectives
  • Lead investigations involving customer concerns, food safety events, quality issues, and corrective actions
  • Support new product development, commercialization, product validations, customer sampling, and specification management
  • Utilize ERP systems, quality management systems, Microsoft Office, and data analytics to monitor performance, support reporting, and identify opportunities for improvement
  • Develop and coach Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and Research & Development teammates while fostering accountability, engagement, and professional growth
What You'll BringRequired Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and progressive food manufacturing experience
  • Minimum five (5) years of experience in Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Compliance, or food manufacturing, including at least two (2) years supporting or leading Research & Development, product development, or commercialization activities
  • Three (3)+ years of leadership experience leading technical or operational teams
  • Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining Food Safety and Quality Management Systems, including SQF, HACCP, FDA, USDA, FSMA, Preventive Controls, GMPs, SSOPs, environmental monitoring, sanitation, and regulatory compliance
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience utilizing ERP, quality management, specification management, or manufacturing systems
  • HACCP Certification (or ability to obtain within six months)
  • PCQI Certification (or ability to obtain within six months)
Preferred Qualifications
  • SQF Practitioner Certification
  • Experience in bakery or frozen food manufacturing
  • Product development and commercialization experience
  • Master's degree in Food Science or related field
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish)

At Tippin's Pie Plant, you'll have the opportunity to protect and strengthen one of the Midwest's most recognized bakery brands while helping shape the future of food safety, quality, and product innovation. As part of the Balls Foods family, you'll work alongside a collaborative leadership team that values integrity, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and investing in its teammates.

If you're ready to make an impact on products enjoyed by families for generations, we'd love to hear from you.

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About Balls Foods

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Balls Foods is a well-established entity in the grocery industry, based in Kansas City, KS, US. Operating successfully for over nine decades, Balls Foods has a grand collection of grocery stores, including Hen House Markets, Price Chopper, Sun Fresh Markets, and Payless Discount Foods. Established in the 1920s by Sidney and Mollie Ball, it initially began as a fruit stand. As of today, it consists of 29 grocery stores and 1,000 Associates, marking their exponential growth and persistent success in the grocery business. Their mission is to create unforgettable grocery shopping experiences for their customers by providing superior products and exceptional customer service.

Industry

Supermarkets and grocery stores

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Kansas City, KS, US

Year founded

1923