What does a food technologist do?
A food technologist is responsible for developing safe and healthy food products, managing convenient food manufacturing processes, and ensuring that the procedures adhere to internal guidelines and state regulations. Food technologists identify ways to improve food preservation methods, as well as strategizing in consumer-friendly packaging and distribution processes. They also research the current food trends and technology advancements according to public demands that would generate more revenue resources and increase the business' profits. A food technologist studies the product's reviews and analyzes techniques for more efficient product preparation.
Food technologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real food technologist resumes:
- Develop and process data and presentations and manage technical documents for FDA & USDA.
- Organize schedules for employees and set payroll -Provide direction and solve employee problems -Be extremely personable & manage stock control
- Train and supervise employees GMP and GHP.
- Create process controls and preventative actions through HACCP system/principles.
- Prepare and package foods according to USDA standards for consumer consumption
- Maintain up to date knowledge of USDA regulations, policies and appropriate product technology.
- Develop formulas and flavor powder beverages per customer requests, while following FDA food regulations.
- Assist in the design, development, and process adaptation for a patent extrusion system.
- Edit and proofread all contents of cookbooks and owner's manuals before they are published.
- Monitor HACCP program s application, labels and packages export product, using food laws and regulations.
- Develop nutritional labels and technical data sheets for contract manufacture bars, store brand bars and cereals.
- Perform QA testing on food samples to make sure that the product meets vendor specifications for physical and chemical properties.
- Verify payroll in adherence to establish directives.
- Apply sound culinary techniques to design products with consumer/customer value attributes.
- Perform physical quality analyses of various food items in on-site QA laboratory.
Food technologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Food Technologists are proficient in Food Safety, Food Preparation, and Regulatory Compliance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Math skills, Communication skills, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Food Technologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Food Safety, 16%
Recommended processing procedures on new and existing products to ensure food safety and fulfilling shelf-life requirements.
- Food Preparation, 8%
Managed food preparation equipment, raw product processing and area sterilization.
- Regulatory Compliance, 5%
Analyze documents and customer labels to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Cleanliness, 4%
Exceeded standards and expectations of cleanliness for restaurant image Leadership and Skills
- Safety Standards, 4%
Maintained department sanitation/safety standards effectively.
- Laboratory Equipment, 4%
Supervised & trained 5 quality assurance technicians on laboratory procedures, operating procedures and proper operation of laboratory equipment.
"food safety," "food preparation," and "regulatory compliance" are among the most common skills that food technologists use at work. You can find even more food technologist responsibilities below, including:
Math skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a food technologist to have is math skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "agricultural and food scientists, like many other scientists, must have a sound grasp of mathematical concepts." Food technologists often use math skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "develop hplc methods for the "qualitative" and "quantitative" analysis of apis. "
Communication skills. Many food technologist duties rely on communication skills. "communication skills are critical for agricultural and food scientists," so a food technologist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways food technologist responsibilities rely on communication skills: "performed analytical testing and improved client company communications by addressing inquiries and providing solutions. "
Observation skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of food technologists is observation skills. This skill is critical to many everyday food technologist duties, as "agricultural and food scientists conduct experiments that require precise observation of samples and other data." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "experienced in manufacturing pilot/ pivotal/ exhibit batches following gmp guidelines and also handling observations and qa deviations. "
The three companies that hire the most food technologists are:
- Acosta6 food technologists jobs
- Beyond Meat5 food technologists jobs
- Hormel Foods4 food technologists jobs
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Compare different food technologists
Food technologist vs. Quality control
As the name entails, the job of a quality control inspector is to inspect, maintain, and improve the quality and standard of products. They are responsible for ensuring the company's reputation is not damaged due to defective products or inferior manufacturing processes. This can be done by detecting and resolving the problem early on, and returning the product for repair. A quality control inspector should also notify the supervisors immediately when issues arise and coordinate with them to address the problem.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a food technologist are more likely to require skills like "food safety," "food preparation," "regulatory compliance," and "cleanliness." On the other hand, a job as a quality control requires skills like "quality checks," "iso," "quality issues," and "corrective action." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Quality controls tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,096. In contrast, food technologists make the biggest average salary, $67,596, in the health care industry.quality controls tend to reach lower levels of education than food technologists. In fact, quality controls are 5.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Food technologist vs. Research and development chemist
A research and development chemist primarily works at laboratories to conduct extensive tests and experiments aiming to develop new products and technologies. Although the extent of their duties may vary, it typically revolves around conducting research and studies, observing chemical reactions, maintaining records and databases, collaborating with fellow experts, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing components or mixtures. They can find employment in different areas, such as manufacturing companies, private laboratories, government agencies, and even education.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real food technologist resumes. While food technologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "food safety," "food preparation," "regulatory compliance," and "cleanliness," research and development chemists use skills like "analytical methods," "synthesis," "d chemist," and "method development."
Research and development chemists earn a higher average salary than food technologists. But research and development chemists earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $82,941. Additionally, food technologists earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $67,596 annually.research and development chemists earn similar levels of education than food technologists in general. They're 3.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for food technologists in the next 3-5 years?
James Adams
Adjunct Professor, Texas Woman’s University
Food technologist vs. Quality control associate
In a manufacturing setting, a quality control associate is in charge of conducting various tests to ensure that the products meet the company's standard criteria. Their responsibilities revolve around inspecting the workforce and workload involved in the production process, identifying errors or inconsistencies, recommending solutions and alterations, and maintaining records and documentation. Furthermore, as a quality control associate, it is essential to coordinate with department staff and produce progress reports, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, food technologists are more likely to have skills like "food safety," "food preparation," "regulatory compliance," and "cleanliness." But a quality control associate is more likely to have skills like "qc testing," "test methods," "environmental monitoring," and "lims."
Quality control associates earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $54,631. Food technologists earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $67,596.Most quality control associates achieve a similar degree level compared to food technologists. For example, they're 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Food technologist vs. Quality control assistant
Quality assurance technicians work as testers, samplers, and inspectors of quality control in the organizations. They are equipped with skills in visual inspection, written and verbal communication, and active listening. In carrying out their jobs, they are expected to work well and be detail-oriented. Working as a quality assurance technician involves problem-solving, decision making, and creative thinking. They see to it that products and services meet the quality standards for the entire organization.
Types of food technologist
Updated January 8, 2025
