Food Technologist Jobs in Florida
Food Technologist jobs in Florida are concentrated in the Tampa Bay area, Orlando, and South Florida, where the state's large food and beverage manufacturing sector, consumer packaged goods operations, and citrus and produce processing industries keep demand steady at every level from entry-level lab technician to senior formulation scientist. Major employers with lasting Florida presences include Tropicana, Publix, and Kraft Heinz, all of which maintain active product development, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs teams in the state. The most in-demand specialties are food safety and HACCP compliance, product formulation, and quality systems management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Summary
Food Service Director
Location: Delray Beach, Florida
Salary: $58,000-$65,000
Work Term: This is a 10 month contract with days off that correspond to the school calendar. Some summer work is necessary. Additionally, 10 month employees receive 10 PTO days per year.
Zest Culinary Services and Unity School is seeking an experienced and passionate Foodservice Director to lead dining operations at a small, private school in Delray Beach. This leadership role is ideal for someone who enjoys building strong teams, creating exceptional dining experiences, and developing meaningful relationships with students, faculty, staff, and school leadership.
As Foodservice Director, you will oversee all aspects of the dining program, including culinary operations, financial performance, team development, food safety, and guest satisfaction. Most importantly, you will cultivate a culture where hospitality, service, and genuine care are experienced every day.
What You’ll Do
Lead the Operation
- Provide day-to-day leadership of all dining operations.
- Ensure outstanding food quality, presentation, and service.
- Maintain a safe, clean, and organized kitchen and dining environment.
- Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and company standards.
Inspire Your Team
- Recruit, train, coach, and develop a high-performing team.
- Create a positive workplace culture built on respect, accountability, and teamwork.
- Schedule and manage staffing to support efficient operations.
- Lead regular team meetings focused on communication, development, and continuous improvement.
Drive Financial Performance
- Manage food, labor, and operating expenses to meet budget expectations.
- Monitor purchasing, inventory, and product utilization.
- Reduce waste while maintaining quality and guest satisfaction.
- Prepare and analyze operational reports to support informed decision-making.
Build Relationships
- Develop strong partnerships with all school community members.
- Listen to guest feedback and continually enhance the dining experience.
- Support special events, catering, and campus engagement opportunities.
- Represent the organization with professionalism and integrity.
Qualifications
- Five or more years of progressive foodservice leadership experience.
- Experience leading and developing teams.
- Strong financial and operational management skills.
- Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and health regulations.
- Culinary degree or apprenticeship preferred.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule as operational needs require.
What We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate is:
- A servant leader who enjoys developing people.
- Passionate about hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences.
- Highly organized with strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable balancing operational excellence with relationship building.
- Driven to continually improve both the dining experience and team performance.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand for extended periods.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to bend, kneel, squat, reach, push, and pull throughout the workday.
- Ability to work in a commercial kitchen environment with varying temperatures.
Why Zest Culinary Services?
At Zest Culinary Services, we believe dining is about much more than serving meals - it’s about creating community. Backed by more than 70 years of hospitality excellence through MMI Hospitality Group, we partner with schools, colleges, healthcare organizations, and businesses to deliver exceptional dining experiences rooted in hospitality, quality, and genuine care.
When you join Zest, you’ll become part of a growing organization that values leadership, innovation, teamwork, and service. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, professional growth opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact every day.
Why Unity School?
Founded in 1964, Unity School is a private, independent school located in Delray Beach, Florida. Our school combines academic excellence with fine arts and music education, athletics/physical education, and character development. This results in well-rounded students prepared for competitive high school and college environments. Unity School’s facilities include a gymnasium with a theater-sized performance stage and dedicated studios for art, music, and TV production. Our Lessons-in-Living program truly sets Unity School apart from other schools. It focuses on earth stewardship, community outreach, peace education, and more. Through its teachings, students develop strong morals, ethics, and values that complement the school’s advanced academic focus. Our students are taught important life skills that help to fully prepare them as future world citizens. We currently have an enrollment of approximately 450 students from toddler (2 years old) through eighth grade in three divisions: Montessori Preschool, Unity Elementary School & Unity Middle School.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Unity School and Zest Culinary Services seek candidates who will add to the vision of our school community while placing value on our traditions.
Pay: $58,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Food provided
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 155+ Food Technologist Jobs in Florida
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Find Food Technologist JobsFood Technologist Jobs by City in Florida
Where Florida roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Food Technologist Job Market in Florida
A snapshot from current Florida openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Aramark15
- Marriott International9
- Sodexo7
- Healthcare Services6
- Walmart5
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
- Retail
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Manufacturing
- Medical Devices
What Florida Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in food technologist jobs across Florida.
- Bachelor's degree in food science, food technology, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience with HACCP planning and food safety management systems
- Working knowledge of FDA food regulations and Good Manufacturing Practices
- Proficiency in sensory evaluation, product formulation, and shelf-life testing
- Experience with quality assurance documentation and regulatory submissions
- Familiarity with ERP or laboratory information management systems used in production
Food Technologist Jobs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a food technologist in Florida?
Most food technologist roles in Florida require a bachelor's degree in food science, food technology, nutrition, or a closely related field. Florida does not issue a state-specific license for food technologists, but many employers give preference to candidates who hold the Certified Food Scientist credential offered by the Institute of Food Technologists. Entry-level candidates often begin in quality assurance or lab technician roles before moving into formulation or regulatory affairs positions.
Which companies hire food technologists in Florida?
Companies currently hiring food technologists in Florida include Aramark, Marriott International, and Sodexo, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Florida's large citrus processing, packaged goods, and food retail sectors mean demand comes from both global manufacturers and regional producers with deep roots in the state.
Which Florida cities have the most food technologist jobs?
Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville account for the largest share of food technologist openings in Florida. Tampa and Orlando anchor the market because of their dense concentration of food manufacturing facilities, corporate food and beverage headquarters, and distribution operations, while South Florida metros draw openings from specialty food importers, restaurant group suppliers, and consumer packaged goods companies serving the region's large population.
Are there remote food technologist jobs in Florida?
Yes, but they're rare. Food technologist work is largely hands-on, involving lab testing, plant floor inspections, and sensory panels that cannot be done off-site. About 3% of food technologist openings tied to Florida are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those positions tend to be concentrated in regulatory affairs, technical writing, and supplier quality roles where the core work is documentation and compliance review rather than physical product handling.
How can I get hired as a food technologist in Florida with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a quality assurance technician or lab technician role at a Florida food manufacturer, where you gain direct exposure to HACCP systems, GMP environments, and product testing. Large Florida employers such as Tropicana and Publix's manufacturing division hire new graduates for QA associate and process technician positions that serve as a pipeline into food science careers. A Certified Food Scientist credential in progress, a senior capstone project involving a Florida-relevant commodity like citrus or seafood, or a co-op placement with a Florida production facility all give early-career candidates a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to food technologist jobs in Florida?
You can find and apply to food technologist jobs in Florida on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings, find the roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
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