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$48.5K

$101.8K

$165K

How much do research and development food jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development food in the United States is $101,794.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 does a Research and Development (R&D) 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 Scientist, and why are they important?

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.

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.

More about Research And Development Food jobs
What cities are hiring for Research And Development Food jobs? Cities with the most Research And Development Food job openings:
What states have the most Research And Development Food jobs? States with the most job openings for Research And Development Food jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Research And Development Food jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Research And Development Food jobs are:
Research And Development Food jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research And Development Food job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 64% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,794 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

VP of R&D - Frozen food CPG

Hunter the Head Hunter

Columbus, OH

$180K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Position Overview

The Vice President of Research & Development is responsible for setting and executing the company’s enterprise-wide innovation and product development strategy across a multi-site food manufacturing network. This role drives both top-line growth and operational performance through disciplined commercialization, portfolio management, and scalable product development.

This leader will oversee the full R&D function, including product development, process development, food safety/microbiology, and regulatory, while building a high-performing organization aligned to business objectives. The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of technical expertise, commercialization leadership, and general management capability within a complex food manufacturing environment.

Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Innovation
  • Define and execute a long-range R&D and innovation strategy aligned with company growth targets
  • Build and manage a robust product pipeline across branded, private label, and customer-specific initiatives
  • Translate consumer insights and market trends into commercially viable, scalable products
  • Partner with executive leadership to align innovation priorities with financial and operational goals
Product Development & Commercialization
  • Lead end-to-end product development from concept through commercialization across multiple manufacturing sites
  • Drive disciplined stage-gate processes, ensuring speed to market, cost targets, and margin expectations are achieved
  • Oversee formulation, scale-up, and process optimization to ensure consistent product quality and manufacturability
  • Implement systems to improve commercialization success rates, reduce errors, and increase execution speed
Operational & Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Sales to ensure seamless product launches and execution
  • Support plant operations through process development, cost savings initiatives, and technical problem-solving
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives tied to margin improvement, complexity reduction, and operational efficiency
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing R&D organization across multiple disciplines (product development, process, regulatory, microbiology)
  • Establish clear structure, accountability, and performance metrics across the team
  • Drive a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
  • Develop internal talent and long-term succession planning within the R&D function
Technical & Functional Excellence
  • Oversee food safety, microbiology, and regulatory functions to ensure compliance and risk mitigation
  • Lead ingredient strategy, formulation optimization, and clean label initiatives
  • Establish best practices in product and process development, including pilot plant and scale-up capabilities
  • Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and industry advancements to enhance competitive positioning
Financial & Business Impact
  • Own and manage R&D budgets, capital investments, and resource allocation
  • Drive measurable business impact through innovation (volume growth, margin expansion, cost savings)
  • Implement KPI-driven management of pipeline performance, commercialization success, and ROI
Required Experience & Background
  • 15+ years of progressive R&D experience within food or CPG manufacturing
  • 10+ years of leadership experience, including oversight of multi-functional R&D teams
  • Proven experience leading large-scale commercialization efforts across multiple plants
  • Demonstrated success driving innovation tied to measurable business outcomes (volume, margin, cost savings)
  • Experience in high-volume, complex food categories (e.g., frozen, sauces, dressings, prepared foods, etc.)
  • Strong background in process development, scale-up, and manufacturing integration
  • Experience building and leading organizations (team design, restructuring, capability build-out)
Preferred Experience
  • Experience supporting both foodservice and retail channels
  • Background in multi-site or global manufacturing environments
  • Experience leading innovation centers, pilot plants, or technical centers of excellence
  • Exposure to licensed brands, private label, or co-manufacturing models
Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field required
  • Advanced degree preferred