Staff Scientist Sweets & Refreshments Product Development - Hershey : Job Details

Job Location: Hershey, PASummary: Reporting to the Sr. Manager of S&R Product Development and working at The Hershey Company's Technical Center, the Staff Scientist position provides project leadership on multiple high complexity projects and/or offers opportunity for leadership on key platforms. The ability to deliver goals with an elevated level of autonomy on complex projects is required. This individual is expected to teach / mentor others on technical topics. A successful candidate is effectively communicating project and/or program challenges to senior leadership and influencing project/program direction through cross-functional communications.Specific Role Focus Area:• Lead product development projects which provide innovative new products and drive innovation across technology platforms for Sweets with a focus on Sour Strip Brand initiatives. Focus areas include formulation development, ingredient development, and manufacturing capabilities.• Perform prototyping and 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.• Apply technical rigor and scientific principles and practices.• Provide input for technical feasibility for new product concepts.• Partnering with Supply Chain to provide technical support to drive quality, identify manufacturing best practices and value improvement in products and process.This role will interact and partner with:• Marketing• Sensory Evaluation• Manufacturing• Engineering• Quality and Regulatory• Project Management• Technology Development• Supplier Partners• ProcurementApproximately 20%- 25% travel required, primarily within the US, but including occasional international travel.Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities: • Experience leading innovation initiatives, which could include product development, manufacturing relocation, cost improvement, technology validation and process optimization.• Demonstrated experience in Sweets confection process platforms including extrusion, starch moulding, sanding, and cooking.• Ability to partner with Sensory and Consumer Insights to develop testing recommendations and interpret results for product optimization.• Demonstrated knowledge in confection formulation and recipe development for licorice, gummies, hard candy, and other confections.• Extensive experience in a sweets manufacturing setting with product trials, start ups and trouble shooting.• Strong knowledge of various technical disciplines (Sensory, Research, Engineering, and Packaging)• Knowledge of key steps in the development of capital projects, including commercialization, equipment selection, creation of product and process specification documents, equipment acquisition, commissioning and start-up of process equipment and systems, and troubleshooting.• Understanding of the impact of the key processing parameters in the conversion of raw ingredient and in-process material to finished product and critical for the day-to-day operation of a line.• Demonstrate influencing skills.• Communications, decision-making skills, business acumen, and technical expertise.• Demonstrated problem solving and evaluation capabilities• Excellent troubleshooting skills.• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills• Must be open to and comfortable with change.• The candidate must be able to work independently, and as part of a team in a fast-paced, growth-oriented business.Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Education and Experience: PhD in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or Biological Engineering with 4-6 years related experience, MS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or Biological Engineering, with 6-8 years related experience, or BS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or Biological Engineering with 8-10 years related experience. Experience in sweets, confections and CPG innovation is a plus. #LI-AM1Nearest Major Market: Harrisburg