Also called: VP of Product Development, Head of Innovation
Leads research and product development teams at food and beverage companies.
You decide which new products to pursue, manage teams of food scientists and chefs, and present launch plans to executives. One week it is a new soda flavor, the next a protein bar line. Your decisions show up on grocery shelves nationwide.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Food science degree, often a master's or PhD, plus 10+ years of experience.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Food Science, Chemistry, Business Administration.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years). Grouped with natural sciences managers.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI speeds formulation and consumer analysis; leading teams and deciding what to launch stay human.
Classes: Chemistry, Biology, Business.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-9121.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.