Associate Staff Scientist R&D US CMG Reeses

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:
Reporting to the Sr. Manager R&D US CMG Reese's and working at The Hershey Company's Technical Center, the Associate Staff Scientist position provides project leadership on multiple medium complexity initiatives and leads 1-2 higher complexity initiative with support. Complexity of a workstream can be increased through technical complexity, manufacturing complexity, speed to market, quantity of projects, and cross-functional support. This position is focused on executing on all workstreams. A high level of autonomy for the medium complexity initiatives and a medium level of autonomy for the high complexity initiatives is required. A successful candidate will be adept at demonstrating and applying technical knowledge and expertise. This candidate can develop and share technical expertise within functional areas 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 written and verbally 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 in the Reese's Product Development group within Chocolate Research and Development. These areas 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, 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 and value improvement in products and processes.

This role will interact and partner with:
* Marketing
* Manufacturing
* Engineering
* Quality and Regulatory
* Project Management
Technology Development

Approximately 30% 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, 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 much 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: 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.
* 5+ 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.

#LI-AM1

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 +1 877-804-1794 and leave a voicemail with your contact information. You may also email a request for accommodation to ApplicationHelp@hersheys.com. 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.