Food Technologist Jobs in Illinois
Food Technologist jobs in Illinois are concentrated in food manufacturing, ingredient development, and quality assurance, making the state one of the most active markets in the country for this role, with openings at every level from entry-level technician to senior formulation scientist. Chicago, the collar counties around it, and Champaign-Urbana anchor most of the hiring, with major employers like Kraft Heinz, Mondelez International, and Archer Daniels Midland driving consistent demand. The most sought-after specializations include product formulation, food safety and regulatory compliance, and sensory science. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 124+ Food Technologist jobs
Job Description
The Food Service Director is a management position responsible for developing and executing dining solutions to meet customer needs and tastes. Oversees and manages dining operations where customers order prepared foods from a menu.
Compensation Data
COMPENSATION: The Salaried rate for this position is $65,000.00 to $70,000.00. If both numbers are the same, that is the amount that Aramark expects to offer. This is Aramark?s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for this position as of the time of posting.
BENEFITS: Aramark offers comprehensive benefit programs and services for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, and work/life resources. Additional benefits may include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid days off such as parental leave and disability coverage. Benefits vary by location and are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works. For more information about Aramark benefits, click here Aramark Careers - Benefits & Compensation
There is no predetermined application window for this position, the position will close once a qualified candidate is selected. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to all applicable Fair Chance Ordinances and Acts. For jobs in San Francisco, this includes the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Job Responsibilities
Leadership
? Lead, mentor, engage and develop teams to maximize their contributions, including recruiting, assessing, training, coaching and managing performance
? Ensure food services appropriately connects to the Executional Framework
? Coach employees by creating a shared understanding about what needs to be achieved and how to execute
? Reward and recognize employees
? Ensure safety and sanitation standards in all operations
Client Relationship
? Identify client needs and effectively communicate operational progress
Financial Performance
? Adopt Aramark process and systems
? Build revenue and manage budget, including cost controls regarding food, beverage and labor
? Ensure the completion and maintenance of P&L statements
? Achieve food and labor targets
? Manage resources to ensure quality and cost control within budgetary guidelines
Productivity
? Implement and maintain Aramark agenda for both labor and food initiatives
? Create value through efficient operations, appropriate cost controls and profit management
? Full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals, including food and labor
? Direct and oversee operations related to production, distribution and food service
Compliance
? Maintain a safe and healthy environment for clients, customers and employees
? Comply with all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety, health, wage and hour
Key Responsibilities
? Establish and maintain systems and procedures for the ordering, receiving, storing, preparing and serving of food related products, as well as menu planning and development
? Develops operational component forecasts and can explain variances. Responsible for components accounting functions.
? Ensures that requirements for appropriate sanitation and safety levels in respective areas are met
? Coordinates and supervises unit personnel regarding production, merchandising, quality and cost control, labor management and employee training
? Recruits, hires, develops and retains front line team.
? Conducts period inventory
? Maintains records to comply with ARAMARK, government and accrediting agency standards
? Interacts with Client Management and maintains effective client and customer relations at all levels with client organization
? May participate in sales process and negotiation of contracts
? Looks for opportunities to implement new products and services which support sales growth and client retention
Additional Responsibilities
? Manage the front of the house of the dining operation (Cafeteria/ Residential Dining Facility)
? Develop and implement food service plans aligned with the client's mission and vision, to include sustainable practices
At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done make a positive impact for our employees and for our customers. In order to meet our commitments, job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.
Qualifications
? Requires at least 4 years of experience
? Requires at least 1-3 years of experience in a management role
? Requires previous experience in food service
? Requires a bachelor?s degree or equivalent experience
? Strong communication skills
? Ability to develop and maintain effective client and customer rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships
? Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service using Aramark's standard model
? Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with other departments to a unified food service experience for all customers
? Requires occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lb.
? Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
Education
About Aramark
Our Mission
Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.
At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
About Aramark
The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Job Description
The Food Service Director is a management position responsible for developing and executing dining solutions to meet customer needs and tastes. Oversees and manages dining operations where customers order prepared foods from a menu.
Compensation Data
COMPENSATION: The Salaried rate for this position is $65,000.00 to $70,000.00. If both numbers are the same, that is the amount that Aramark expects to offer. This is Aramark?s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for this position as of the time of posting.
BENEFITS: Aramark offers comprehensive benefit programs and services for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, and work/life resources. Additional benefits may include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid days off such as parental leave and disability coverage. Benefits vary by location and are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works. For more information about Aramark benefits, click here Aramark Careers - Benefits & Compensation
There is no predetermined application window for this position, the position will close once a qualified candidate is selected. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to all applicable Fair Chance Ordinances and Acts. For jobs in San Francisco, this includes the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Job Responsibilities
Leadership
? Lead, mentor, engage and develop teams to maximize their contributions, including recruiting, assessing, training, coaching and managing performance
? Ensure food services appropriately connects to the Executional Framework
? Coach employees by creating a shared understanding about what needs to be achieved and how to execute
? Reward and recognize employees
? Ensure safety and sanitation standards in all operations
Client Relationship
? Identify client needs and effectively communicate operational progress
Financial Performance
? Adopt Aramark process and systems
? Build revenue and manage budget, including cost controls regarding food, beverage and labor
? Ensure the completion and maintenance of P&L statements
? Achieve food and labor targets
? Manage resources to ensure quality and cost control within budgetary guidelines
Productivity
? Implement and maintain Aramark agenda for both labor and food initiatives
? Create value through efficient operations, appropriate cost controls and profit management
? Full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals, including food and labor
? Direct and oversee operations related to production, distribution and food service
Compliance
? Maintain a safe and healthy environment for clients, customers and employees
? Comply with all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety, health, wage and hour
Key Responsibilities
? Establish and maintain systems and procedures for the ordering, receiving, storing, preparing and serving of food related products, as well as menu planning and development
? Develops operational component forecasts and can explain variances. Responsible for components accounting functions.
? Ensures that requirements for appropriate sanitation and safety levels in respective areas are met
? Coordinates and supervises unit personnel regarding production, merchandising, quality and cost control, labor management and employee training
? Recruits, hires, develops and retains front line team.
? Conducts period inventory
? Maintains records to comply with ARAMARK, government and accrediting agency standards
? Interacts with Client Management and maintains effective client and customer relations at all levels with client organization
? May participate in sales process and negotiation of contracts
? Looks for opportunities to implement new products and services which support sales growth and client retention
Additional Responsibilities
? Manage the front of the house of the dining operation (Cafeteria/ Residential Dining Facility)
? Develop and implement food service plans aligned with the client's mission and vision, to include sustainable practices
At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done make a positive impact for our employees and for our customers. In order to meet our commitments, job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.
Qualifications
? Requires at least 4 years of experience
? Requires at least 1-3 years of experience in a management role
? Requires previous experience in food service
? Requires a bachelor?s degree or equivalent experience
? Strong communication skills
? Ability to develop and maintain effective client and customer rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships
? Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service using Aramark's standard model
? Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with other departments to a unified food service experience for all customers
? Requires occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lb.
? Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
Education
About Aramark
Our Mission
Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.
At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
About Aramark
The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
See All 124+ Food Technologist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Food Technologist JobsFood Technologist Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Food Technologist Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Aramark13
- Target5
- Buckhead Meat & Seafood Mid-Atlantic4
- Block3
- Grupo Bimbo3
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage10
- Consulting & Professional Services5
- Retail3
- Hospitality & Tourism2
- Technology & Software2
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in food technologist jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in food science, food technology, or closely related field required
- Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices and HACCP food safety programs
- Experience with product formulation, shelf-life testing, or sensory evaluation
- Familiarity with FDA food labeling regulations and ingredient compliance requirements
- Proficiency in laboratory testing equipment and data analysis software
- Strong written communication skills for regulatory documentation and technical reports
Food Technologist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a food technologist in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a state-issued license to work as a food technologist, so the path centers on education and professional credentials. Most employers require at least a bachelor's degree in food science, food technology, or a related discipline from an accredited program. Many Illinois employers also value certification from the Institute of Food Technologists, such as the Certified Food Scientist credential, which signals competency recognized across the industry. Graduates from Illinois programs like those at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are well-positioned for entry-level roles.
Which companies hire food technologists in Illinois?
Employers hiring food technologists in Illinois right now include Aramark, Target, and Buckhead Meat & Seafood Mid-Atlantic, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Illinois's deep concentration of food manufacturing headquarters and ingredient suppliers means hiring activity is consistent throughout the year rather than seasonal.
Which Illinois cities have the most food technologist jobs?
Chicago, Hampshire, and Des Plaines have the most food technologist openings in Illinois. Chicago and its surrounding suburbs account for the majority of postings because that metro is home to the headquarters and major R&D centers of some of the largest food and ingredient companies in the world, while Champaign-Urbana draws roles tied to agricultural research and university-connected food science programs.
Are there remote food technologist jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Food technologist work is largely hands-on, requiring access to pilot plants, laboratory equipment, and production facilities, which limits full-time remote options. About 29% of food technologist openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with most of those concentrating in regulatory affairs, technical writing, or quality systems roles where the core work involves documentation rather than bench work.
How can I get hired as a food technologist in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a quality assurance technician or lab technician role at a food manufacturer, which requires less experience than a formulation or R&D position and builds the plant-floor and testing skills employers value. Large Illinois-based food companies and co-manufacturers regularly hire for these associate-level positions as a pipeline into food technology careers. A Certified Food Scientist exam attempt or an internship completed through a program at the University of Illinois or Illinois Institute of Technology adds a measurable credential that helps candidates stand out without years on the job.
Where can I find and apply to food technologist jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to food technologist jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings in one place. Search the roles that fit your background, review the listings that match your experience level and location, and apply directly to the ones that interest you.
See All 124+ Food Technologist Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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