Senior Research Scientist

Note: If you apply for a role at Hershey through our career's website, we may use technologies that use automation to filter your candidacy based on objective criteria. We also use AI-enabled tools that help us facilitate the selection of our future Hershey talent. These tools may help with activities such as matching and scoring candidates to roles based on requirements and scheduling interviews. These systems process only the information you provide in your application, including your resume, work history, education, and responses to screening questions. While these technologies assist with certain steps in our recruitment process and may provide recommendations, all final decisions, including those affecting whether candidates advance to subsequent stages in the applicant process, are made by our talent acquisition teams with meaningful human review and independent judgment. Depending on your location and the specific role you apply for, additional disclosures about our use of AI in recruitment may be provided to you separately. Senior Research Scientist Job Location Hershey, PA Summary Reporting to the Manager R&D Europe and working at The Hershey Company's Technical Center, the Senior Research Scientist position provides project leadership on multiple medium complexity initiatives and/or beginning to lead a higher complexity initiative with support, for the European and Canadian markets. Complexity of a workstream can be increased through technical complexity, manufacturing complexity, speed to market, quantity of projects, and cross-functional support. This position focuses on executing across all workstreams. A medium to high level of autonomy for medium-complexity initiatives, or a low to medium level of autonomy for high-complexity initiatives, is required. A successful candidate adept at demonstrating and applying technical knowledge and expertise. This candidate can develop and share technical expertise within a functional area and cross-functionally within the organization, and has strong problem-solving skills & the ability to think critically. This candidate is proficient at communicating complex or technical subject matter, both written and verbal, to different audiences at different levels within the organization. This candidate is influencing customers and leveraging networks to provide solutions. Specific Role Focus Area Lead product development projects which provide innovative new products for the Canadian and European markets. The main activities include formulation development, ingredient development, product transformation interactions, and process development. 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, manufacturing alliances, 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 and Manufacturing Alliances to provide technical support to drive quality and value improvement in products and process This role will interact and partner with Marketing Manufacturing / Manufacturing Alliances Engineering Quality and Regulatory Project Management / Business Development Technology Development Approximately 30% travel required, primarily within Mexico, Canada, and Europe, but including occasional local travel. Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities Experience leading innovation initiatives, which could include product development, quality improvement, cost improvement, technology validation, and process optimization. Demonstrated knowledge in confection and chocolate formulation and recipe development. Demonstrated experience in confection and chocolate process platforms (moulding, enrobing, panning). 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 TFD's, 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. Demonstrated influencing skills Proven administrative ability, decision‑making skills, financial understanding, business integration skills and technical expertise. Demonstrated 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 independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, growth-oriented, and complex international business environment. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements Education and Experience: PhD with 0-2 years experience, MS with 2-4 years experience, or BS in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or Biology with 4-6 years experience The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans. You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability. You can request an accommodation via phone or email. To request an accommodation via phone, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io and leave a voicemail with your contact information. You may also email a request for accommodation to View email address on click.appcast.io. Please be sure to include "Accommodation Needed" in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request. #J-18808-Ljbffr