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Summer Food Research Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Farm To People

Research & Development Chef

New York, NY

$22 - $25/hr

The position blends real cooking with the business of food: costing, product analytics, and go-to ... R&D workflow and kitchen technology (e.g., Parsley, Combi Oven automated programs) to keep the ...

Yost Foods

Product Development Manager

Brunswick, OH

$140K - $160K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, or related field * 5-7 years of experience in food research & development * Strong leadership and project management skills with the ability to ...

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Summer Food Research Development information

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How much do summer food research development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer food research development in the United States is $26.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical projects a Summer Food Research Development intern might work on, and how do these projects contribute to the company's goals?

As a Summer Food Research Development intern, you can expect to work on projects such as formulating new recipes, testing ingredient substitutions, or improving existing products for better taste, nutrition, or shelf-life. These assignments often involve hands-on experimentation in a lab or test kitchen, data analysis, and collaborating with cross-functional teams like marketing and quality assurance. The outcomes of your work directly support the company’s innovation pipeline and can lead to real products that reach consumers, offering meaningful experience and visibility for your contributions.

What is the difference between Summer Food Research Development vs Summer Food Service Worker?

AspectSummer Food Research DevelopmentSummer Food Service Worker
CredentialsTypically requires a background in food science, research, or related fields; may need certifications in food safetyHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety training often provided on the job
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research facilities, or offices focused on food developmentSchool cafeterias, community centers, or outdoor food service locations
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, food companies, or government agenciesSchools, summer programs, or community organizations

Summer Food Research Development involves conducting experiments and developing new food products in a research setting, requiring specialized knowledge. In contrast, Summer Food Service Workers focus on preparing and serving food in community or school settings, emphasizing customer service and food safety. Both roles are essential in the food industry but differ significantly in responsibilities and work environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Summer Food Research and Development Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive in Summer Food Research and Development, you need a background in food science, nutrition, or a related field, along with experience in product formulation and sensory evaluation. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, food safety regulations, and research software such as SPSS or Excel is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, creativity, and effective teamwork help you innovate and solve challenges in developing new food products. These skills ensure the creation of safe, appealing, and market-ready food items that meet consumer demands and regulatory standards.

What is a Summer Food Research Development job?

A Summer Food Research Development job typically involves working with food scientists and product developers during the summer months to research, test, and help create new food products or improve existing ones. Responsibilities may include conducting experiments, analyzing ingredients, documenting results, and assisting with sensory evaluations. These roles are often found in food manufacturing companies, research institutions, or universities, and are ideal for students or recent graduates interested in food science, nutrition, or related fields.
What cities are hiring for Summer Food Research Development jobs? Cities with the most Summer Food Research Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Research Development jobs? The most popular types of Food Research Development jobs are:
What states have the most Summer Food Research Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Summer Food Research Development jobs include:
Summer Food Research Development jobs near you

R&D Manager - Food CPG

Hunter the Head Hunter

Columbus, OH

$130K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Our client is a rapidly growing frozen food manufacturer with a strong portfolio of established consumer brands and significant in-house manufacturing capabilities. The organization is known for its innovation, operational excellence, and commitment to delivering high-quality frozen products to retail and foodservice channels nationwide.Position Overview

The Core Brands R&D Manager will lead product renovation, optimization, and incremental innovation initiatives across a portfolio of established frozen food brands. This individual will play a critical role in improving product quality, driving cost savings, supporting commercialization efforts, and maintaining consistency across manufacturing operations.

The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in frozen food systems, ingredient functionality, and commercialization within a high-volume CPG manufacturing environment. This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Quality, Marketing, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams to ensure successful execution of projects from concept through plant implementation.

Key ResponsibilitiesProduct Development & Optimization
  • Lead reformulation and continuous improvement initiatives for existing frozen food products focused on taste, texture, nutrition, shelf life, and cost optimization
  • Drive line extensions and incremental innovation efforts within established brand portfolios
  • Conduct bench-top development, pilot plant trials, and commercialization support for frozen products
  • Ensure consistency across manufacturing plants, co-manufacturers, and production lines
  • Support seamless product launches and plant startups in partnership with Operations teams
Frozen Food Technical Expertise
  • Apply expertise in frozen food processing technologies including IQF and blast freezing systems
  • Optimize formulations to reduce freezer burn, ice crystal formation, texture degradation, and reheating inconsistencies
  • Evaluate ingredient functionality under frozen storage and thermal processing conditions
  • Troubleshoot product and process challenges within manufacturing environments
Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner closely with Marketing, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams to execute business objectives
  • Translate consumer insights and market trends into product improvements and innovation opportunities
  • Support customer, retailer, and commercialization requirements across core product lines
Cost Optimization & Value Engineering
  • Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives through ingredient optimization, yield improvement, and process efficiencies
  • Support value engineering projects while maintaining product quality and brand integrity
  • Analyze formulation and production costs to recommend optimization strategies
Compliance & Project Management
  • Ensure products meet all FDA, USDA, food safety, and internal quality standards
  • Support shelf-life studies, product testing, and validation activities
  • Manage multiple R&D projects simultaneously while maintaining timelines and milestone accountability
  • Lead cross-functional project teams and communicate updates to leadership
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related technical field
  • 7+ years of food R&D experience within frozen food manufacturing
  • Strong background supporting established/core product lines within CPG environments
  • Experience commercializing products from bench development through full-scale production
  • Deep understanding of frozen food systems, ingredient interactions, and processing technologies
  • Experience with frozen entrees, ready meals, vegetables, snacks, or related categories preferred
  • Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities
  • Ability to balance product quality, speed-to-market, and cost considerations in decision-making
  • Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership skills
Preferred Background
  • Frozen meals / entrees
  • Multi-plant manufacturing support
  • USDA/FDA regulated food manufacturing
  • Commercialization and plant startup support
  • Value engineering and cost reduction initiatives
  • Consumer packaged goods (CPG) experience