Ingredient & QBS Specialist

Job Location: Hershey, PA/Remote  

In this combined role the individual will support specific Product Data Management (PDM) data activities for the development of ingredient and product quality specifications in support of key company initiatives and activities (i.e. Project Spectrum).

Ingredient Specifications

These activities manage global ingredient data through the creation, approval, and release process in PDM, ensuring specifications are prioritized and released in accordance with project timelines. 

• Ingredient Specialists (IS) create and maintain ingredient specification data on the ingredient property tree in PDM and ensure compliance with standards throughout the ingredient specification life cycle.

• Working in SQM/Aravo to obtain supplier information to transfer ingredient data (composition, nutrients, allergens, certifications, GMO status, and other relevant data to the SAP- PDM property tree to enable recipe and label creation.

• This role will coordinate and manage, ingredient specifications data with QRC, R&D, and Procurement. IS will generate and maintain ingredient specification reports, when specifications are released or when an attribute or text is changed.

• This role will initiate Master Material requests, updates, and extensions for ingredients. IS will be responsible for maintaining shelf-life data management for ingredients.

• Approve regional supplier materials within Supplier Quality Management (SQM) by reviewing Ingredient Information Forms (IIF). Review data for labeling tasks within SQM.

Product Quality Specifications

These activities enable development of product quality specifications (PQS) for all items being run at internal Hershey US plants as well as contract manufacturing locations in US/Canada and co-packing facilities.  In addition to developing new specifications, employee must maintain accurate PQS’s and product information bulletin documents for existing items.

• • Work within the PDM system to complete PQS creation or updates through Engineering Records

• • Use information from multiple sources and work cross-functionally to obtain data to complete product specifications to ensure proper manufacture and assembly of finished good items.   These specifications are critical to ensure contract manufacturing partners and co-packers are building accurate items for our customers.  This must be done timely & accurately.
  • Maintain the user list, access controls and content for SharePoint and Teams sites for External Manufacturing Quality in collaboration with others in QRC.
  • Work independently with PDM and Accolade tools to determine priorities to ensure business needs are being met

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Attention to detail in this role is critical as the employee must compare information from multiple sources to verify accuracy and perform follow-up with other functions to remedy any issues that may be identified.
• Strong computer and document management skills.
• Microsoft O365 suite
• Understanding of food ingredients/ properties, ingredient specifications, and food labeling
• Able to work in a dynamic environment with short deadlines
• Demonstrate the ability to be highly collaborative and within team and cross-functionally with minimal direction 
• The employee must have good multitasking skills to handle multiple projects concurrently.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

• B.S. in Food Science, Nutrition, Food Microbiology, or related science field
• 2-5 years of previous SAP or similar database experience
• Must be able to travel to Hershey, PA up to 2 times per year