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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.

Associate Research R&D Salty Pretzels

Posted Date:  Sep 1, 2026
Requisition Number:  130143

Why Hershey:

At The Hershey Company, our culture is rooted in purpose and inspired by Milton Hershey’s enduring vision that business should create opportunity for others. Through our commitment to corporate philanthropy, we create positive impact by supporting communities, helping children thrive, and operating as a business for good. This includes our deep and long standing partnership with Milton Hershey School, where we invest in education, workforce readiness, and hands on engagement to help students succeed beyond the classroom. Supported by strategic grantmaking, product donations, cross brand collaboration, and strong employee volunteerism, Hershey offers a place to work where making a difference—locally and globally—is part of how we do business every day.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company is an industry-leading snacks company known for making more moments of goodness through its iconic brands. With a strong portfolio across chocolate, confectionery, and salty snacks, Hershey delights consumers every day. Our beloved brands include Hershey’s, Reese’s, KitKat®, Dots Pretzels, Lesser Evil, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, and more.
 
At Hershey, we are committed to making a meaningful difference in the communities where we live, work, and do business. This commitment originated with our founder, Milton Hershey, and continues to shape who we are today.
 
Guided by our employee value proposition, Lead Today. Create Tomorrow, we empower our people to drive impact now while shaping what comes next. Our One Hershey mindset brings teams together across functions, geographies, and businesses, enabling us to operate with speed, collaboration, and shared purpose.
 
The Hershey Company is proud to be recognized as a top employer in the United States, reflecting our commitment to our people, culture, and purpose.

How will you fit in the big picture?

The Research Assistant, Pretzels & Bold Snacking provides hands-on support for innovation, renovation, and process development activities across Dot's Pretzels and the broader Bold Snacking portfolio. Working closely with scientists and engineers, this role supports development across multiple snack platforms including pretzels, popcorn, extruded snacks, fried snacks, and baked crackers/snacks.
 
The successful candidate will execute pilot plant and laboratory activities, assist with sample preparation and testing, maintain equipment and workspaces, and help generate technical data that supports the commercialization of new products and technologies. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain experience with food manufacturing processes while contributing to some of the most recognizable brands in snacking.
 
This position is located at the Hershey Technical Center in Hershey, PA and reports to the Manager, Pretzels & Bold Snacking.

What will you do?

  • Support pilot plant and laboratory trials by preparing ingredients, setting up equipment, collecting samples, and documenting observations.
  • Operate pilot-scale food processing equipment under guidance, including extruders, fryers, ovens, mixers, sheeters, poppers, and seasoning systems.
  • Monitor process conditions during trials and assist with adjustments to processing parameters such as temperature, moisture, airflow, and line speed.
  • Prepare product samples for sensory evaluations, consumer testing, and internal reviews.
  • Conduct basic analytical testing including moisture analysis, water activity measurement, texture evaluation, and color assessment.
  • Maintain accurate technical records and organize laboratory data to support project teams.
  • Assist with equipment setup, teardown, cleaning, sanitation, and basic maintenance activities.
  • Maintain laboratory and pilot plant cleanliness, ingredient inventories, and compliance documentation.
  • Partner effectively with R&D, Operations, Quality, and cross-functional stakeholders to support product development initiatives.
  • Adhere to all safety, quality, and food safety requirements.

Minimum Education & Requirements

Experience:
  • High School Diploma/GED with 3-4 years of related laboratory, manufacturing, food processing, technical, or pilot plant experience; OR
  • Bachelor's degree in a scientific, technical, or related field with limited or no prior experience.
  • Experience working with food processing equipment, manufacturing operations, or laboratory environments is preferred.
  • Technical or professional certifications are a plus.
Education:
  • High School Diploma/GED required.
  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering Technology, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • Basic understanding of food processing operations and/or mechanical systems.
  • Ability to safely operate laboratory and pilot plant equipment following established procedures.
  • Strong attention to detail with accurate recordkeeping and data collection skills.
  • Ability to learn new equipment, technologies, and food processing techniques.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Team-oriented with a positive, proactive, and adaptable approach.
  • Comfortable working in laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments.
Additional Requirements:
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to work around heat, noise, ingredients, and moving equipment.
  • Occasional travel (up to 10%) may be required to support plant trials and technical activities.

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 +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.

 

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Nearest Major Market: Harrisburg

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