Principal Scientist Chocolate Technology

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

Residing at The Hershey Company's Technical Center, this position involves a unique opportunity to work within the Research and Development department. This group is responsible for developing innovative new products for The Hershey Company. 

Working with minimal direction, provides leadership and professional guidance in the practice of protein science and innovation within R&D. Provides process and technical leadership to enable the delivery of the protein Research and Development innovation program, a cornerstone of Hershey’s broader Better For You initiative and a major growth category for the Company. Designs and directs research efforts specifically aimed at breakthrough protein products, advanced ingredient sourcing, and state-of-the-art processing methods. Develops solutions to complex challenges in protein formulation, leveraging expertise and experience where little precedent exists and innovation is required. Leads highly complex new protein product innovation initiatives, ensuring technical rigor, timeline management, risk mitigation, and robust cross-functional collaboration. Engages closely with technical, professional, and managerial staff of R&D as well as Manufacturing, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Legal departments to resolve technical and practical challenges specific to protein products. Interacts with other industries and institutions as required to exchange information and ideas on protein science and technology.

The successful candidate will report to the group’s Drector and work with other senior management to establish strategic direction and goals for research.  

Summary of major duties:
Product, Process and Packaging Improvements Program Management
• Partnering with Supply Chain to provide technical support to drive quality and value improvement in products, process and packaging.
• Assess current BFY product portfolio to identify and recommended improvement opportunities across finished product and ingredients.
• R&D process lead of product relocation and complex ingredient sourcing to optimize Supply Chain network.
New Product Development Project Leadership
• Working independently, provide expert leadership and professional guidance in the practice of a scientific discipline or breathe of disciplines of activity with R&D.
• Leads undertaking and execution of fundamental projects of significant importance, complexity, and scope with emphasis on solution of theoretical problems, having a significant impact on the Company’s current and/or future business interests.  Undertake product development projects in ‘start to finish’ approach, initiating own projects or recommending termination of projects as is necessary.  Independently determine technical approaches to be explored as they apply to assigned project or self-initiated projects.  Establish objectives and approaches to execute projects.  Secure appropriate information as necessary.  Solve problems through application of knowledge, experience, and original thinking, and testing solutions.   
Talent & Organizational Development
• Provide technical coaching and mentoring to technicians and professionals.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:  
• Experience leading highly technical innovation initiatives, which could include product development, quality improvement, cost improvement, technology validation and process optimization.
• Experience with end-to-end innovation from upstream front end to downstream commercialization.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in protein formulation, recipe development, and process platforms (slab/slit, extrusion, enrobing).
• Preferred experience within the Better For You space including, but not limited to, ingredient functionality and formulation principles within protein and sugar replacement.
• Strong knowledge of various technical disciplines (Sensory, Research, Engineering and Packaging)
• Understanding of the impact of the key processing parameters in the conversion of raw ingredient and in-process material to finished product and critical for the day-to-day operation of a line.
• Demonstrated Influencing Skills; Strategic as well as tactical thinker
• Proven administrative ability, decision-making skills, financial understanding, business integration skills and technical expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to use technical knowledge as an expert
• Excellent mentoring and leadership skills
• Advanced problem solving and evaluation capabilities
• Excellent technical troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be open to and comfortable with change.
• The candidate much be able to work independently, and as part of a team in a fast-paced, growth-oriented business.
• Approximately 20% travel required, primarily within the US, but including occasional international travel.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:  
Education & Experience: Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field required (Food Science, Chemical, Agricultural, Biological or Food Engineering). Master’s degree and/or Ph.D. a plus.
 
Experience: B.S. Degree w / 12+ years of applicable work experience or Master’s Degree w / 9-11 years of experience or a Ph.D. plus 7-9 years of working experience.
• Process Research, Product Development, Process Engineering and/or Product Commercialization. 
• Minimum 7 years of experience in the Confectionery, Food, Consumer Goods and/or Pharmaceutical industry is preferred.
• Experience in leading the Product Development portion of multiple projects is required.  
• Expert knowledge in the importance of the interactions of ingredients and process unit operations is required.

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