The Hershey Company

Staff Scientist R&D

The Hershey Company • $100K — $130K *
Hershey, PA 17033In-Person
Food & Beverages
8 - 10 years of experience
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field; Master's or PhD preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in the food or confection industry.
  • Expert knowledge of ingredient interactions and process operations.
  • Experience leading product innovation and commercialization projects.
  • Strong skills in problem-solving and decision-making across functions.
  • Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment with ambiguous situations.
  • Willingness to travel approximately 20% of the time.

Responsibilities

  • Lead innovative product and process development projects with autonomy.
  • Manage prototyping and scale-up from bench top to full manufacturing.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, Marketing, and Engineering.
  • Analyze business impacts of projects to align with company goals.
  • Secure and allocate resources effectively for project success.
  • Provide coaching and leadership to team members.
  • Investigate new processing methods for innovative breakthroughs.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional growth and development within a leading company.
  • Exposure to cross-functional leadership and collaboration.
  • Dynamic work environment focused on innovation and strategic direction.
  • Access to cutting-edge research and development resources at the Technical Center.
  • Involvement in meaningful projects that impact product offerings.
Full Job Description
Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

Residing at The Hershey Company's Technical Center, this position involves a unique opportunity to work within the Research and Development department. This group is responsible for developing innovative new products for The Hershey Company.

The successful candidate for this position will be a major contributor to achieve company goals and programs. The individual should be able to provide input to set priorities and contribute to strategic direction for research programs. Specifically, this candidate will lead complex projects with high levels of autonomy and apply in-depth knowledge of product and process development initiatives within the BFY category The individual will provide guidance in a cross functional setting, working closely with business partners in Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Legal to determine project goals and timetables, execute the projects, resolve resource allocation and timing issues, and ensure that business objectives are achieved.

The successful candidate will report to the group's Sr. Manager and work with other senior management to establish strategic direction and goals for research.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Project Leadership
  • Lead product and process development projects with high levels of autonomy which provide innovative new products and processes in support of BFY Innovation. These areas include formulation development, ingredient development, product transformation interactions, and process development.
  • Perform prototyping and product and process development from bench top to pilot plant to full manufacturing scale.
  • Interact closely with a cross functional group of technical, professional, and managerial staff of R&D, as well as, production, engineering, and marketing.
  • Understand the business impact of the projects.
  • Communicate across multiple functions and levels.
  • Obtain and allocate resources for projects as necessary.
  • Provide leadership, coaching, and instruction.
  • Explore new areas of processing with an eye to invention and breakthrough opportunities.
  • Apply intensive and diversified scientific and/or engineering principles and practices.


Minimum Requirements:
  • Experience leading technical, new product innovation initiatives, which could include product development, quality improvement, cost improvement, technology validation, and process development and optimization.
  • Experience with end-to-end innovation from upstream front end to downstream commercialization.
  • Demonstrated technical expertise in BFY chocolate/confection formulation, recipe development, and process platforms (chocolate making, moulding, enrobing).
  • Preferred experience within the BFY space including, but not limited to, ingredient functionality and formulation principles within protein and sugar replacement.
  • Strong knowledge of various technical disciplines (Sensory, Research, Engineering and Packaging).
  • Understanding the impact of key processing parameters in the conversion of raw ingredients and in-process material to finished product that are critical for the day-to-day operation of a line.
  • Strong ability to influence and persuade across functions and levels.
  • Proven administrative ability, decision-making skills, financial understanding, business integration skills and technical expertise.
  • Strong problem solving and evaluation capabilities.
  • Excellent troubleshooting skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Must be open to and comfortable with change.
  • The candidate must be able to work with high levels of autonomy, ambiguity, and as part of a team in a fast-paced, growth-oriented business.
  • Approximately 20% travel required, primarily within the US, but including occasional international travel.
  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field required (Food Science, Food Engineering, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemical, Agricultural, Biological, or Engineering); master's or PhD preferred.10+ years of working experience within food or confection industry.
  • Project Leadership, Technical problem solving, Product Development, Process Engineering, and/or Product Commercialization.
  • Experience in leading the Product and Process Development portion of multiple projects is required.
  • Expert knowledge in the importance of the interactions of ingredients and process unit operations is required.


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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
Food & Beverages
Net Income
$1.2 billion
Founded
1894
5 Year Trend
+3.8%
Revenue
$8.1 billion
NASDAQ
HSY
* Ladders Estimates

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