Position: Associate Food Technologist

Job Location:  Hershey, PA

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Senior Manager of USCI Product Optimization and working at the Technical Center in Hershey, PA, the Associate Food Technologist/Food Technologist 1 position is responsible evaluating, developing, and implementing product changes for Continuous Improvement projects across the US.

This position assists with high complexity projects, and leads workstreams within larger projects, and/or leads low complexity projects with support. They have low to medium autonomy depending upon the workstream.

A successful candidate communicates project updates to cross-functional team members and manager. They possess basic ability to communicate complex and technical subject matter in both verbal and written forms but requires assistance to tailor message to varying audiences across the organizations.

Role Responsibilities:

• Leveraging knowledge and experience to drive successful implementation of margin enhancement projects within the US business
• Aligning key stakeholders, and identifying potential challenges and interdependencies impacting projects
• Evaluate both the business case and technical feasibility of new project ideas resulting in a prioritized list of opportunities
• Problem solving and product troubleshooting through application of knowledge and creative thinking
• Ensuring sustainable project execution and technology transfer to manufacturing teams
• Observing, recording, and evaluating experimental data to draw conclusions
• Preparing project reports and presentations
• Supporting supply chain continuity initiatives in collaboration with vendors of ingredients
• Providing food and product science instruction to both technical and non-technical employees
• Possess full working technical knowledge of product development and optimization, including manufacturing validation and implementation.
• Demonstrated application of food science and process engineering principles in developing manufacturing solutions with a sound understanding of the interaction between process unit operations and product physical and sensory properties.
• Working knowledge of food science, quality assurance, and good manufacturing practices.
• Experience operating lab and pilot scale equipment/instrumentation and working in a manufacturing plant.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercising a moderate level of judgment in project execution.
• Possess time management skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple priorities in an expedient manner, understanding the required business objectives, developing solutions and schedules, and efficient and expedient project executions.
• Demonstrate attention to details required to deliver results with sound project planning and project management skills.
• Interpersonal skills that allow for effective working relationships at all levels across the organization.
• Ability to work in a team environment and independently in a flexible work environment with changing priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient computer literacy, fluent with Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to accommodate unusual and extended work hours as required for project completion

This role will interact and partner with:

• Manufacturing, Operations and Plant Quality Assurance
• Quality and Regulatory Compliance
• Procurement, Planning, and Logistics
• Marketing and Consumer Research
• R&D and Engineering
• External Vendors

This role will require 20-30% North America travel and the ability to accommodate unusual and extended work hours as required for project completion 

Qualifications:

• BS in Food Science , Bio/Chemical/Mechanical Engineering
• Strong understanding of principles of food chemistry and ingredient functionality is desirable.
• Value Analysis
• Scope of work
• Operations/Manufacturing knowledge
• Regulatory and standards compliance
• Technical writing
• Chocolate technology
• Research methodology
• Analytical techniques
• Ingredient supplier-based knowledge
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Scale-up/plant test process
• Ability to collaborate across regions, departments, and all levels of the organization

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