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Internship Food Research Development Jobs in Columbus, OH

Danaher

R&D Internships

Columbus, OH

By submitting your interest, you'll be among the first to know when internship opportunities open ... About R&D Roles at Danaher Are you driven by curiosity, discovery, and a desire to contribute to ...

New Horizons Food Solutions

R&D Intern

Columbus, OH

$15 - $18/hr

About New Horizons Food Solutions: Coalescence NHB LLC, now New Horizons Food Solutions LLC, has ... Job Summary The Research and Development Intern's main function will be to support the Research amp;

1 800 Flowers

1-800-Flowers.com Internship

Westerville, OH

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

Multiple business functions available (Food Science, IT, Analytics, Marketing, Legal, HR, Supply ... Support department initiatives through research, documentation, and project coordination * Assist ...

1-800-Flowers

1-800-Flowers.com Internship

Westerville, OH

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

Multiple business functions available (Food Science, IT, Analytics, Marketing, Legal, HR, Supply ... Support department initiatives through research, documentation, and project coordination * Assist ...

Gagosian

Year-round Internship Program - London

London, OH

$14.25 - $19/hr

Through focused development, we aim to attract and retain a diverse pool of talent. Please note ... These will be achieved through larger research-based projects that will be presented to other ...

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How much do internship food research development jobs pay per month?

As of May 28, 2026, the average monthly pay for internship food research development in Columbus, OH is $6,219.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $4,266.67 and $7,408.33 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internship Food Research Development, and why are they important?

To thrive in an Internship Food Research Development role, you need a solid background in food science or a related field, along with knowledge of laboratory techniques and safety protocols. Familiarity with analytical instruments, data analysis software, and sometimes regulatory systems like HACCP is typically required. Strong attention to detail, curiosity, and effective teamwork and communication skills are highly valued. These abilities ensure accurate research, innovation, and smooth collaboration, all of which are critical for developing safe and high-quality food products.

What types of projects can I expect to work on during a Food Research & Development internship?

As a Food Research & Development intern, you will typically assist with projects such as developing new food products, conducting sensory evaluations, and supporting ingredient testing and formulation trials. You may also help with shelf-life studies, quality analysis, and collecting data for process improvements. Collaboration with food scientists, quality assurance teams, and production staff is common, offering you insight into both laboratory and manufacturing environments. These hands-on experiences are valuable for building practical skills and understanding the end-to-end process of food innovation.

What are Internship Food Research Development positions?

Internship Food Research Development positions are entry-level roles designed for students or recent graduates interested in learning about the research and development side of the food industry. Interns in these positions typically assist with developing new food products, improving existing recipes, conducting laboratory tests, and analyzing data related to food quality and safety. These internships provide hands-on experience working with food scientists, technologists, and other professionals, offering valuable insight into how food products are created and brought to market. Interns may also be involved in sensory evaluations, ingredient sourcing, and documentation processes. This experience helps prepare candidates for future roles in food science, product development, and quality assurance.

What is the difference between Internship Food Research Development vs Food Quality Assurance Intern?

AspectInternship Food Research DevelopmentFood Quality Assurance Intern
CredentialsRelevant coursework in food science, basic lab skillsFood safety certifications, knowledge of quality standards
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D departments, product development teamsQuality control labs, production facilities, inspection areas
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturing, R&D companies, product innovationFood production, safety compliance, quality monitoring
Search & Comparison IntentResearch, product development, innovation rolesQuality assurance, safety standards, compliance roles

Internship Food Research Development focuses on developing new food products and improving existing ones through research and experimentation. In contrast, Food Quality Assurance Interns concentrate on ensuring products meet safety and quality standards during production. Both roles are essential in the food industry but serve different functions within the product lifecycle.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Research Development jobs in Columbus, OH? The most popular types of Food Research Development jobs in Columbus, OH are:
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Internship Food Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Food Research Development job openings in Columbus, OH as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% Internship, 55% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 6% Nights. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $74,639 per year, or $35.9 per hour.

R&D Manager - Food CPG

Hunter the Head Hunter

Columbus, OH

$130K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 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