Manager, Ingredient Technology Development

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary: 
The Global Science and Technology Team within R&D is responsible for scouting and developing new technologies for ingredients, products, and processes from upstream research through validation at the commercial scale. The Manager will lead a team of scientists and research assistants to develop and execute multiple ingredient technology development projects across a variety of product portfolios. The role is located on site at Hershey’s Technical Center in Hershey, PA and reports to the Sr. Manager, Ingredient Technology Development.

The Manager will be responsible for ingredient technology development for multiple existing and novel product categories. The individual will stay current on ingredient trends and bring new technologies into the company for testing and validation. This will require advancing and leveraging in-depth knowledge of food science, product formulation, and manufacturing. The Manager will lead a team of approximately 4 professional level staff and technicians and additional contractors and consultants as needed for various projects. The Manager will partner with senior management on strategic direction for key technology programs, working closely with business partners in Product Development, Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality to insure programs are aligned with stakeholders and meet business needs.

In addition to managing the team, the role is also responsible for technical leadership and execution of certain strategic development projects. This includes project design and methodology, testing ideas through experimentation, and determining next steps through problem solving. Hands-on skills involving running laboratory and pilot plant equipment is required. Experience in leading cross-functional technology and/or product development projects to commercialization is desired. Presentation of the project results will be expected in both written and oral forms.

Specific Role Focus Area:  
• Actively identify and develop new technologies for innovation opportunities in confections, snacking, novel foods, and other strategic categories.
• Lead a team of approximately 4 professionals to deliver technology projects; work with direct reports to determine goals and timetables for projects and ensure technical rigor and diligence.
• Coach and mentor direct reports on technical projects and career growth.
• Create and execute experimental designs on the bench and pilot scales with detailed documentation in our knowledge management system.
• Interact closely with a cross-functional group of technical, professional, and managerial staff of R&D, as well as Manufacturing, Engineering, and Marketing.
• Manage relationships internally and externally with business partners to deliver required research results.
• Understand and advance the business impact of the projects and their strategic deliverables. 
• Explore new areas of ingredient and product technology while identifying new IP opportunities.

The role is located on site at the Tech Center in Hershey, PA and requires approximately 15-20% travel including internationally.

Summary of major duties:
Talent & Organizational Development:
-Manage a staff of approximately 4 scientists and research assistants to deliver business results in Ingredient Technology Development. 
-Coach employees on technical rigor and project management.
-Provide mentorship and opportunities to direct reports for career advancement and personal development. 
-Attract, lead, manage, and mentor employees in such a way to ensure retention, development, and high performance of talent. 
-Lead organizational initiatives such as technical reviews, stage gate processes, lab safety, or technical training programs.
Research Leadership
-Design and execute experimental plans for developing new ingredient technologies to address anticipated future business needs.
-Test ideas through lab-scale experimentation including DOE; collect and analyze data using analytical process tools to provide recommendations. 
-Create pilot plant test plans to enable optimization of ingredients and associated process technologies on the intermediate scale.
-Operate and direct the operation of lab or pilot plant equipment in the execution of these experiments; collect and submit samples for analysis; document in Hershey’s ELN system and share in technical reviews and reports.
-Partner with the Process Technology R&D team to validate new ingredient technologies on the commercial scale at Hershey or Co-Man facilities.
Project Management & Strategy
-Scout new ingredient technologies to stay current and anticipate future ingredient technology needs.
-Seek business alignment for assigned projects through the Technical Resource Review (TRR) process. 
-Collaborate with cross-functional groups to ideate, develop solutions, and implement new technologies. 
-Secure resources for lab and pilot plant work.

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

• Demonstrated management, leadership, and influencing skills, including leadership of technical staff.
• Strategic and tactical thinking to manage projects and teams to deliver business results.
• Proven knowledge and expertise in confectionary and/or snacks innovation including ability to develop ingredient technologies for confections, carbohydrates, fats/oils, proteins, and/or functional ingredients.
• Business acumen including decision-making skills, financial understanding, and risk management.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including comfort with presenting to peers, management, and executive levels.
• Leadership of ingredient, product, and process development and innovation in multiple food science areas. 
• Operation of pilot plant and lab equipment, adhering to safety, GMP, and documentation requirements.
• Strong project management and organizational skills; demonstrated success in leading multiple and simultaneous technical projects.
• Proficient computer skills (basic knowledge of Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
• Ability to work in both a team environment and independently, maintaining flexibility under changing priorities.
• Strong mathematical skills and intermediate knowledge of statistics.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:  
Education: Minimum BS degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or related scientific field with at least 9 years of relevant experience. MS degree with at least 7 years or PhD with at least 5 years of relevant experience.  
Experience:    
• Has successfully led New Product Development or Technology Development programs within a company known for best-in-class innovation and NPD processes.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in the snacks, food, supplements, beverage, consumer goods, and/or pharmaceutical industry.
• Prior management of direct reports, contractors, or interns.
• Experience in translating unmet consumer needs and commercial objectives into product development and technology strategies and plans. Understands and promotes the role of science and technology in the wider business context.
• Experience driving change in a complex business environment.

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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.  

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