Associate Manager, Sensory Cocoa Science

Job Location: Hershey, PA
 

Summary: 
Reporting to the Manager Sensory Professional Panels and working at The Hershey Company’s Technical Center, the Associate Manager provides project leadership of some medium to high complexity initiatives, leads workstreams within larger initiatives, and/or leads multiple low complexity initiatives. A successful candidate demonstrates and applies technical knowledge and expertise in functional area of Sensory. This role provides consultancy cross-functionally by identifying and applying the appropriate method to answer research objectives. and designs, executes, and reports results informing key business decisions. The candidate will be assigned to numerous cross-functional teams within the organization, which requires problem solving, critical thinking and influencing skills. This candidate demonstrates the capability to communicate technical subject matter written and verbally cross functionally and with management. This candidate demonstrates the capability to influence cross functional team members and build personal networks to provide solutions. The technical focus of this position will be to support Cocoa Science initiatives. 

Additionally, this position manages the Hershey Technical Center Professional Panel consisting of 12 part-time (CPT) panelists and the Panel Leader. This responsibility includes descriptive capability building, technical performance assessments, feedback, and the HR performance management process for this team.

Specific Role Focus Area: 
• Build Descriptive capabilities through panel training, calibration, and maintenance.
• Plan and execute Descriptive Analysis projects supporting both quality initiatives and innovation across the confection and snacking portfolio, includes statistical data analysis and reporting of results
• In addition to the Descriptive Analysis projects, manage sensory projects for shelf life, innovation, plant troubleshooting, alternate supplier, and margin enhancement. 
• Develop sensory lexicons/attributes for new product categories.

This role will interact and partner with: 
• Sensory Professional Panel
• R&D Department FOF Technology Development
• Product Development
• Procurement
• Supply Chain Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
• Quality and Regulatory Compliance
• Technology Development
• External Research Suppliers
• Marketing & Consumer Insights

• Up to 10% travel required, primarily within the US.

Summary of major duties:

• Manage team of 12 Professional panelists and 1 Panel Leader, includes HR responsibilities and Descriptive Program development and maintenance (panel training, calibration, and maintenance).
• Support advancement of Cacao Science and ingredient testing and validation.  Plan and implement project support applying appropriate research method (incl. Descriptive Analysis, consensus profiling, Discrimination testing, etc.) and oversee/execute collaborative studies between Tech Center and global satellites and suppliers/comans, and analyze/approve commodity data, cost improvements, plant troubleshooting and commodity testing (including data analysis and reporting).
• Plan and execute Discrimination and hedonic research methods in support of productivity improvements, shelf-life testing, innovation, plant troubleshooting and alternate supplier (including data analysis and reporting).
• SPI Capability Building (methods & talent): Assessment and implementation of new sensory and consumer research methods to drive capabilities, efficiencies, and performance.  Recurring Sensory team meetings to gain and maintain alignment on methods and best practices, administrative meetings, etc.   

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties or responsibilities: 

• Descriptive Program management (recruiting, screening, training). Proficient in Sensory Spectrum DA methodology.
• Descriptive project leadership experience, with demonstrated capability in leading Sensory projects at University, CPG company, or Market Research supplier/consultant 
• Knowledgeable of all sensory methodology: Descriptive, Affective and Discrimination. 
• Working knowledge of data collection software such as EyeQuestion, Compusense or SIMS. Proficient in statistics and demonstrated experience analyzing data using Stat Graphics, SAS, R, etc.
• Ability to interact effectively with large and diverse group of people, emotional intelligence.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize with limited supervision
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• BONUS: Employee or contractor management / leadership experience.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:  
Education and Experience: B.S. (4-6 years' experience) or M.S. degree (2-4 years' experience) in the following:  Food Science, Psychology, or Statistics.

Completed course work and/or practical experience in Sensory Science.

Minimum of 1-3 years managing a Descriptive Panel

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