Job Location: Hershey, PA
Summary:
Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Salty R&D, and working at our Technical Center in Hershey, PA, the Staff Scientist position provides leadership of medium and high complexity product development projects in the Hershey Salty Snacks portfolio. The ability to operate with a high level of autonomy across all programs and projects is expected. The successful candidate is a proven problem solver and critical thinker, which results in problem resolution. They will consistently demonstrate, apply, document, and disseminate technical knowledge to different audiences at different levels of the organization. The candidate leverages internal and external networks as appropriate to deliver solutions.
Specific Role Focus Area:
* Product development leadership from concept to commercialization, partnering with Marketing and cross-funcational partners to bring concepts to life on communicated timelines.
* Lead development of the next-generation baking platform and salty snack items.
* Actively explore novel technologies and ingredients through interactions with vendors, suppliers, and attendance of tradeshows
* Support product and research data enrichment and accuracy across S4 and other HSY platforms.
* Provide technical expertise in execution of innovation, renovation, and maintenance opportunities across the Dot's and filled pretzel platforms including continuous improvement opportunities
* Identify, design, conduct, and document research on salty snack formulation and baking.
* Analyze data to provide actionable conclusions and present findings to stakeholders.
* Mentoring junior scientists within Salty R&D and providing technical guidance to Manufacturing
* Interfacing with suppliers and industry professionals.
This role will interact and partner with:
* R&D Team Members
* Manufacturing and Engineering
* QRC
* Project Management
* Commercial and Innovation Marketing
This role will require up to 25-30% domestic travel.
Summary of major duties:
- Salty R&D project leadership
- Mentoring junior R&D team members, production
- Data and documentation enrichment and validation
- Personal and Technical development
Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:
* Proven track record of applying scientific principals and internal processes to successful launch new products to the market and/or product improvements on existing products.
* Ability to collaborate across departments and leverage external consultants and vendors to deliver on project timelines.
* Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate across and within functions that represent diverse viewpoints.
* Ability to prioritize and multi-task with very limited supervision successfully managing simultaneous projects.
* Ability to adapt to changing priorities and fluid timelines.
* Leadership skills/behaviors: business acumen, conflict management, and excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
* Experience working with external partners: consultants, vendors, co-man customers.
* Competency with typical baked snacks analytical techniques, sensory and customer testing methods, and scale-up considerations.
* Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint,Outlook) and ability to learn new platforms as needed.
* Record of successfully mentoring junior scientists and provide technical guidance to cross-functional partners.
* Ability to occasionally work outside of typical work hours (nights/weekends) to support project work
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Education and Experience: BS, MS, or PhD in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or related with 10+ years of experience. Experience with baked snacks formulation and processing is required.
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The Hershey Company
Apr 24, 2025