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Research And Development Food Jobs in Missouri (NOW HIRING)

Monterey Mushrooms.

Senior Food Scientist

California, MO · On-site

$120 - $145/hr

Our R&D program runs 32 dedicated test rooms focused on new genetics and inputs that help growers ... We partner with innovators across food, beverage, and wellness to help them formulate better ...

New

Irca Group

R&D Scientist

Affton, MO · On-site

Gourmet, Food Manufacturing and Consumer Product (Retail). "Extraordinary made simple" Under the direction of the R&D Manager, the R&D Scientist is responsible for the development, optimization, and ...

Irca Group

R&D Scientist

Affton, MO · On-site

Gourmet, Food Manufacturing and Consumer Product (Retail). "Extraordinary made simple" Under the direction of the R&D Manager, the R&D Scientist is responsible for the development, optimization, and ...

Irca Group

R&D Scientist

Affton, MO · On-site

Gourmet, Food Manufacturing and Consumer Product (Retail). "Extraordinary made simple" Under the direction of the R&D Manager, the R&D Scientist is responsible for the development, optimization, and ...

Kemin

Research Associate

Butler, MO · On-site

... food options, and free fresh fruit in break areas. * Career Development and Advancement : Unlock your potential with opportunities for growth and development throughout your entire career.

University of Missouri

Research Scientist

Columbia, MO · On-site

... developments in agricultural, biofuel and food markets and policies. The incumbent(s) will work ... Research topics often focus on the impacts of policies and other drivers on agricultural market ...

Triumph Foods

R&D Technician

Saint Joseph, MO · On-site

$17.50 - $24/hr

... R&D Techs, and production employees ... Collaboration is required for data collection, experiment design, quality, specifications, and food ...

campus4tech

R&D Packaging Engineer

Kansas City, MO · On-site

Job Title: R&D Packaging Engineer Job Type: Contract-Hybrid Duration: 6 Months Location: Kansas ... Food manufacturing environment experience * Experience with cartoning equipment, case packing ...

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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 Missouri?

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

What job categories do people searching Research And Development Food jobs in Missouri look for?

The top searched job categories for Research And Development Food jobs in Missouri are:

What cities in Missouri are hiring for Research And Development Food jobs?

Cities in Missouri with the most Research And Development Food job openings:

Research And Development Food jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research And Development Food job openings in Missouri as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Product Development Technologist

Pro Food Systems, Inc

Holts Summit, MO • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGIST
Reports to: Director, Quality and R&D
FLSA Status: Exempt
SUMMARY
The Product Development Technologist will support research, development, reverse engineering, commercialization, and continuous improvement of breading systems and related food products for PFS Blends. This is a customer-facing role that combines technical product development with strong presentation and sales skills. The role will evaluate competitive products, develop and improve formulations, support customer presentations and product demonstrations, and work with cross-functional teams to move products from bench development through plant scale-up and commercialization. Poultry manufacturing and breaded food system experience are important to success in this role.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Research, Development & Reverse Engineering:
  • Develop and improve breading systems, coatings, batters, predusts, seasonings, marinades, and related products, with a focus on poultry applications and commercial manufacturing.
  • Conduct deformulation and competitive product evaluations to understand ingredient decks, nutritional profiles, ingredient functionality, processing effects, and product performance.
  • Lead and support customer presentations, product demonstrations, sample reviews, commercialization meetings, and post-launch product optimization; clearly communicate product benefits, technical advantages, and recommended solutions.
  • Use reverse-engineering findings to build formulation hypotheses and prototypes that meet sensory, cost, nutrition, labeling, and manufacturing targets.
  • Plan and execute bench, pilot, and plant trials; document formulas, process conditions, results, and recommendations.
  • Partner with Quality, Food Safety, Production, Operations, Sales, and suppliers to scale products, support commercialization, and troubleshoot manufacturing issues.
  • Apply a continuous improvement mindset by using trial and production data to improve product quality, consistency, yield, cost, and manufacturability.
  • Evaluate raw materials and supplier technologies used in breading and coating systems, including flours, starches, proteins, gums, seasonings, oils, and other functional ingredients.

Technical & Cross-Functional Responsibilities:
  • Support plant trials, equipment evaluations, process validation, and technical training related to breading application and food manufacturing.
  • Assist with inbound product audits, competitive evaluations, sample preparation and testing, and development of practical testing criteria.
  • Maintain organized R&D records, formulations, specifications, test results, and project documentation while following food safety, labeling, sanitation, and equipment-safety requirements.
  • Collaborate effectively with customers, sales, internal teams, ingredient suppliers, poultry processors, co-manufacturers, and culinary or technical partners; build strong relationships and perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, experience, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Cereal Science, Chemistry, Culinary Science, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
  • Experience in food product development, formulation, deformulation, reverse engineering, or commercialization within a food manufacturing environment preferred.
  • Hands-on experience with poultry manufacturing, further processing, breading application, frying, or related protein processing strongly preferred but not required.
  • Working knowledge of food ingredients, ingredient functionality, manufacturing scale-up, commercialization, and continuous improvement principles.
  • Ability to evaluate ingredient statements and nutritional profiles and translate findings into practical formulation and testing plans.
  • Working knowledge of nutrition labeling and regulatory requirements; school nutrition, K-12 foodservice, USDA Foods, or related school meal program knowledge is a plus.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, project-management, documentation, and communication skills, with a confident, engaging, sales-oriented personality and the ability to present technical information clearly to customers and internal teams. Must be comfortable building relationships, presenting products, and supporting customer-facing sales opportunities.

WORKING CONDITIONS
  • Position requires occasional overnight travel, up to 25%.
  • Work is typically performed in normal office conditions with some manufacturing exposure.
  • Some work is performed in a general food production and manufacturing environment with exposure to machine noise, and ingredient and finished product dust and residues.
  • Additional PPE are required for some tasks in the manufacturing environment. Uniforms with long pants, long sleeve shirts, and closed toed shoes are required along with hair and beard coverings.
  • Frequent exposure to several food allergens that are present in the facility and used daily.
  • Employee will be exposed to extreme temperatures at times, from warehouse to freezer, which is -10 to 40 degrees.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time in front of a computer intermittently
  • Consistently required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch and carry items
  • Must have visual and hearing acuity
  • Ability to use hands and fingers to reach, lift and carry 40 pounds on a sporadically
  • Digital dexterity and hand/eye coordination in operation of office equipment including a computer
  • Ability to speak to, hear, and understand others via phone and in person in English
  • Must able to travel by car and plane as needed

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