The Hershey Company

Staff Scientist Popcorn & Kid Snacking

The Hershey Company$100K — $120K *
Food & Beverages
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS, MS, or PhD in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field
  • 7-10+ years of experience in fried snacks, tortilla chips, or potato chips
  • Proven track record of successful commercialization from bench to plant start-up
  • Experience with pilot and plant trials
  • Strong knowledge in food safety and quality practices

Responsibilities

  • Lead product and process development for fried snacks
  • Design and execute experiments to solve manufacturing challenges
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation
  • Mentor junior scientists and contribute to technology development
  • Participate in sensory evaluation and consumer insights
  • Optimize frying processes and enhance shelf-life performance

Benefits

  • Access to innovative R&D facilities at Hershey Technical Center
  • Opportunity to lead and influence across multiple teams
  • Professional development and mentoring opportunities
  • Engagement with cross-functional projects in a collaborative environment
  • Travel opportunities to work on plant trials and supplier visits
Full Job Description
Job Location: Hershey, PA

How will you fit in the big picture?

The Staff Scientist, R&D - Fried Snacks is a key technical leader within Hershey's salty snacks business, advancing innovation, renovation, and productivity initiatives across tortilla chips, potato chips, and other fried snack platforms. Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Popcorn and Kid Snacking, this role serves as a subject matter expert in fried snack technology and helps shape the long-term technical roadmap for the category. Based at the Hershey Technical Center, you will collaborate across R&D, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, Consumer Insights, and Sensory to bring winning products to market and drive manufacturing excellence.

What will you do?
  • Lead complex product and process development projects from concept through commercialization.
  • Serve as the technical expert in fried snack technologies including tortilla chips, potato chips, extruded snacks, and pellet-based products.
  • Design and execute laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing trials using sound experimental design and statistical analysis.
  • Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve manufacturing challenges related to dough systems, masa processing, potato processing, frying operations, seasoning application, and shelf-life performance.
  • Drive process optimization through expertise in frying science, including heat transfer, oil management, moisture control, oxidation, filtration, and acrylamide mitigation.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, Consumer Insights, and Sensory teams to deliver business objectives.
  • Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior scientists and development teams.
  • Support capability-building initiatives that strengthen Hershey's salty snack innovation pipeline and manufacturing network.
  • Travel approximately 15-30% to support plant trials, supplier visits, and testing activities.


Minimum Requirements

Experience:
  • BS, MS, or PhD with 5+ years of relevant experience in food science, food engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field, aligned to T50 career-level expectations.
  • Strong experience in fried snacks, preferably including tortilla chips, potato chips, extruded snacks, or related categories.
  • Demonstrated success commercializing products from benchtop development through plant startup.
  • Experience designing and executing pilot plant and manufacturing trials.
  • Knowledge of statistical analysis, DOE, process optimization, sensory evaluation, and consumer learning.
  • Proven ability to lead technical problem-solving within manufacturing environments.
  • Experience influencing cross-functional teams and leading complex technical projects independently.

Education:
  • Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.


Benefits and Perks

At Hershey, we offer competitive pay and a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your wellbeing, financial security, and life outside of work.
  • Health & Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus wellness programs that support your physical and mental health
  • Financial Security: Competitive pay, annual incentive opportunities, and a 401(k) with company match
  • Time Off & Flexibility: Paid time off, company holidays, and flexible ways of working where applicable
  • Growth & Development: Career development programs, learning opportunities, and internal mobility


Benefits may vary based on role, location, and eligibility.

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About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company Careers

Join the sweetest team on earth at The Hershey Company, a global leader in chocolate and sugar confections. With a rich heritage of innovation and leadership, The Hershey Company offers unparalleled job opportunities in an environment that champions diversity, creativity, and growth. Work You’ll Do Embark on a fulfilling career journey with The Hershey Company, where you can contribute to a range of exciting projects that help shape the future of the confectionery industry. At Hershey, you will work alongside a diverse team of professionals who are passionate about delivering joy through their products and innovations. Transform your professional life by engaging in roles that leverage your unique skills and aspirations. Whether in marketing, research and development, production, or sales, each position at Hershey is designed to foster leadership and professional growth. Lead with Innovation At The Hershey Company, innovation is at the core of everything we do. From creating delightful new treats to enhancing our sustainable practices, our team is constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the confectionery space. Join a company where your ideas and leadership can make a tangible impact on our products and processes, driving growth and excellence in the industry. Explore Career Opportunities The Hershey Company is committed to nurturing talent and providing its employees with the tools they need for success. Explore a variety of job opportunities and internships that can help you build a rewarding career. Our positions are designed to challenge your skills and help you grow as a professional. Be Part of Our Culture Experience a company culture that values teamwork, integrity, and respect. At Hershey, we believe in creating an inclusive environment where every employee can thrive. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in our everyday operations and the positive atmosphere our team members enjoy. Benefits and Growth Invest in your future with The Hershey Company’s comprehensive benefits package, designed to support your health, well-being, and financial security. Embrace opportunities for career advancement through professional development programs and continuous learning initiatives. Networking and Professional Development Enhance your career prospects through Hershey’s robust networking opportunities. Connect with industry leaders, participate in global conferences, and engage in diversity training programs that prepare you for leadership roles within the company. Join Our Team Search for open positions that match your skills and interests on The Hershey Company’s careers page. We are looking for passionate, innovative, and driven individuals to join our team and help us continue our legacy of success and leadership in the confectionery industry. Stay Connected Keep up to date with the latest career tips, company news, and industry insights—all from the people who work at The Hershey Company. Subscribe to our careers blog and personalize your job alerts to find out about the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await you at Hershey. Explore, innovate, and grow with The Hershey Company. Discover how your career can flourish in an environment dedicated to nurturing talent and celebrating success. Join us and be part of a team that’s making a difference in the sweetest way possible!
Learn more about The Hershey Company
Size
16,620 employees
Market Cap
$48.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$1.2 billion
Founded
1894
5 Year Trend
+3.8%
Revenue
$8.1 billion
NASDAQ

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