Director New Product Commercialization

Job Location: Hershey, PA
Note: This position is based in Hershey, PA or will consider hybrid (PA, NJ, NY preferred) with very frequent travel to Hershey.
 

Position Overview

Under the direction of the Sr. Director of Process Engineering Solutions, the Director of Product Commercialization and Pilot Plant Operations will be responsible for leading the engineering design and commercialization of new products and line extensions ensuring products can be made on Supply Chain Internal (plant) or External (co-manufacturing) resources.  The Engineering Director will partner with R&D, Operations Business Development and Marketing teams to deliver in-year and out-year innovation pipeline goals for Core CMG and Strategic Growth Platform business units and proactively engage with these teams to meet the changing needs of the business.  The Engineering Director will represent Engineering and Support Supply Chain in all product and Commercial Gate review meetings and ensure teams are prepared to meet all Capital Stage Gate requirements as projects progress.  Additionally, the Engineering Director will ensure the responsibilities of the Product Commercialization Engineering and Pilot Plant Operations are executed with the proper input and interaction of key functional groups (R&D, Manufacturing, EHS, ESG, Product Safety & Quality, Planning, Maintenance, and Facilities) under a partner-centricity focus.  The Engineering Director will be responsible for hiring, mentoring, and developing the talent necessary to sustain the Hershey Innovation Program execution.

Responsibilities

-Leads the development of manufacturing processing solutions for new product innovation for consistent and efficient production.
-Support innovation by participating in identifying early-stage manufacturing and engineering solutions including timing, capital requirements and location assessments.
-Work with other leaders in developing the New Products / Innovation capital plan (mid and long-term) and will facilitate the alignment, approval, and execution of such plan. This responsibility includes the preparation of proper documentation to request Capital approval and the appropriate use of standard project tracking tools.
-Support plant or new processes startups providing technical expertise and team support.  
-Lead robust technical gate reviews ensuring technical issues are identified and resolved to enable gate progression, delivering expected and aligned commercialization outcomes.
-Lead development and execution of robust commissioning plans for new products and technologies
-Support R&D efforts to develop robust Transformational Flow Diagrams for new products through process critiques and constructive feedback.
-Ensure appropriate resourcing across all business units to deliver on innovation objectives, support capacity projects as needed.
-Support operations within the pilot plant space, providing leadership for ensuring product quality, safety and production fulfillment for consumer tests, trials, sales samples.
-Oversees the development, planning and execution of small scale “in market test” production runs and coordinate of product distribution to end customer.
-Provide leadership and input into Technical Center Master Planning efforts, focusing on ensuring the Pilot Plant is set up to meet current and future business needs.
-Lead organizational improvements within the Pilot Plant – people resourcing, more flexible spaces including raw vs finished product spaces, new equipment/technologies – to improve efficiency and support innovation.
-Full ownership over the Semiworks facility in York, PA – including staffing, operations, maintenance, and budgeting requirements to support innovation programs.
-Develop and maintain future strategy for deployment of Semiworks facility as needed to meet changing business needs.
-Work in tight connection with cross functional partners in the design and execution of programs that promote a safety culture and that result in the safety of our people and the fulfillment of the environment and sustainability policy.
-Partner with QRC to ensure Pilot Plant and Manufacturing Labs meet FDA and Dept. of Ag requirements for edible products.
-Coach and develop Product Commercialization and Pilot Plant Operations team members, ensuring development of robust training and career development plans.
-Motivate and manage department through key development objectives.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering or other relevant field of study

-At least 10 years of relevant process development/engineering experience in the Food Industry with demonstrated ability to lead teams in the conceptualization and development of innovation products in addition to planning and execution of projects and programs.
-At least 3 years of in-plant/manufacturing experience in a technical and/or leadership role.
-Demonstrated technical knowledge in basic unit operations and utilities services used in the Confectionery manufacturing industry (Depositing, Extrusion, Roasting, Baking, Chocolate Processing, Tempering, -Cooking and Confectionery unit operations).
-Agile and flexible to changing demands and workload to ensure timely results.
-Demonstrated success in ideation, design, and execution of small/medium (<$1MM) and large capital projects (>$10MM).
-Excellent cross functional communication and collaboration skills. 
-Provides mentoring, coaching and leading technology and technical skills development.
-Proven track record of being able to develop and maintain strong cross functional partnerships with a solutions-oriented mindset.
-Proficiency in the application of statistical methods.
-Well balanced, strong leadership capabilities:  Ability to lead progressively more complex and higher-spend cross-functional teams through controversial issues while maintaining focus on end results.

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