Sr. Research Scientist

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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. Sr. Research Scientist Reporting to the Sr. Manager, R&D, the Senior Research Scientist will provide technical leadership across multiple innovation and product development projects within Hershey's confection and chocolate portfolio. This role is responsible for leveraging formulation expertise, scientific rigor, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver new products, product improvements, and process innovations that support business growth. The ideal candidate will combine strong confectionery product development knowledge with hands‑on experience scaling products from benchtop through pilot plant and full manufacturing. This role offers the opportunity to influence product direction, partner with teams across the enterprise, and help bring innovative solutions to life at the Sweetest Place on Earth. What will you do? Lead formulation, ingredient, and product development activities across multiple medium-complexity innovation and commercialization projects. Execute technical workstreams that support defined project and product objectives, delivering high-quality technical outputs while identifying and escalating risks as appropriate. Apply established scientific methods, research, and analytical approaches to solve moderately complex technical challenges and support data-driven decision making. Drive product innovation through confection and chocolate formulation, recipe development, ingredient evaluation, and product transformation understanding. Lead assigned prototyping, scale-up, and commercialization activities from benchtop through pilot plant and manufacturing implementation. Conduct technical assessments and provide recommendations regarding feasibility, product performance, and manufacturing readiness. Contribute incremental innovations that improve development processes, experimentation, product quality, efficiency, or technical capabilities. Partner closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, Supply Chain, Marketing, and external partners to advance short- and medium-term pipeline initiatives. Support technology validation, process optimization, quality improvement, and cost savings initiatives. Translate technical findings into clear recommendations and communicate project updates, challenges, and opportunities to stakeholders and leadership. Provide technical support during equipment commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and commercialization activities. Mentor and share technical knowledge with team members while continuing to develop technical breadth across R&D disciplines. Minimum Education & Requirements 3+ years of relevant experience in food, confectionery, chocolate, ingredient, or product development environments. Demonstrated experience leading innovation, product development, process optimization, quality improvement, or commercialization initiatives. Experience with confection and chocolate formulation and recipe development. Knowledge of confectionery processing technologies including molding, enrobing, and panning. Preferred experience with better-for-you ingredients such as alternative sweeteners, proteins, fibers, and functional ingredients. Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, project leadership, and influencing skills. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and adapt to changing priorities. Approximately 20% travel, primarily within the United States with occasional international travel. Education Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field with 4-6 years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree in a related discipline with 2-4 years of relevant experience. 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. 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. Nearest Major Market: Harrisburg #J-18808-Ljbffr