Associate Manager, Chocolate

Job Location: Hershey, PA
 

Summary: 

Reporting to the Senior Manager Reese Research & Development and working at The Hershey Company’s Technical Center, the Associate Manager position provides project leadership on one high complexity initiative or leadership of several medium complexity initiatives. Complexity of a workstream can be increased through technical complexity, manufacturing complexity, speed to market, quantity of projects, and cross-functional support.  This position would start to drive the strategy of initiatives while also executing on all workstreams. Medium to high autonomy across all initiatives is required. A successful candidate consistently demonstrates and applies technical knowledge and expertise. This candidate can develop and share technical expertise within functional area and cross functionally within the organization. This candidate has proven problem solving skills and is a critical thinker, resulting in problem resolution and process improvements. The successful candidate can communicate complex or technical subject matter to different audiences at different levels within the organization. This candidate has the capability to influence stakeholders and leverage networks to provide solutions.

Specific Role Focus Area: 
• Lead product development projects which provide innovative new products within Chocolate Research and Development. These areas include formulation development, ingredient development and product transformation interactions.
• 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 process
• Management responsibility for 2 - 3 Research Technicians/Assistants with the responsibilities of setting organizational priorities, project milestones, people development and organizational engagement.

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

Approximately 25% travel required, primarily within the US, but including occasional international travel.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 
Summary of major duties:
Project Leadership:
• Lead product development projects which provide innovative new products in Chocolate Product Development. These areas include formulation development, ingredient development and product transformation interactions.
• 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.
Talent & Organizational Development:
• Provide overall leadership as it relates to organization structure and People Development: Develops, leads, manages, and mentors Research Technicians and/or others in a way to ensure retention, development, and high performance of talent.

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).
• Preferred experience in snacking platforms, such as cookies, crackers, granola bars, etc.
• 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: PhD in FS with 2-4 years’ experience, MS with 4-6 years’ experience, or BS with 6-8 years’ experience. Introductory experience in people management such as Interns, Co-ops, and technicians is preferred.
 

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