Senior Research Scientist, BFY Product Development

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

Reporting to the Sr Manager of BFY R&D and working at The Hershey Company’s Technical Center, the Senior Research Scientist position provides project leadership on multiple medium complexity projects and/or beginning to lead a program with support.  This could include a high number of low to medium complexity projects that drive leadership complexity.  A medium to high level of autonomy on medium complexity projects and low to medium level of autonomy for high complexity projects is required.  This individual is beginning to teach others technical knowledge in some spaces and has a focus on developing technical breadth.  A successful candidate is communicating project and/or program challenges to senior leadership with the ability to have some influence on project/program direction through cross-functional communication.

Specific Role Focus Area: 
• Leveraging knowledge and experience to drive “Better For You” product innovation (Lily’s, Zero Sugar, ONE, Fulfil, etc.) These areas include formulation development, ingredient development and product transformation interactions.
• Perform prototyping and development from bench top to pilot plant to full manufacturing scale.
• Leading technical project management aspects through the product development stage gate process interacting closely with a cross functional group of technical, professional, and managerial staff of R&D, as well as production, engineering, and marketing. 
• Understand the business impact of the projects.
• Apply technical rigor and scientific principles and practices.
• Provide input for technical feasibility for new product concepts.
• Partnering with Supply Chain to provide technical support to drive quality and value improvement in products and process

This role will interact and partner with: 
• Technical and professional employees within Global R&D (including Ingredient/Recipe Specialists, Sensory, and Packaging Innovation)
• Manufacturing, Operations and Plant Quality Assurance
• Quality and Regulatory Compliance (including Analytical and Micro)
• Procurement
• Marketing 
• R&D Technology Development team
• Engineering (including Product Commercialization, and Plant)
• External Vendors (including Ingredient Vendors, Equipment Vendors, and Co-Manufactures)

Approximately 20% travel required, primarily within the US, but including occasional international travel.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:  
• Experience leading innovation initiatives, which could include product development, quality improvement, cost improvement, technology validation and process optimization.
• Demonstrated knowledge in confection, chocolate, and protein formulation and recipe development.
• Demonstrated experience in confection, chocolate process platforms (moulding, enrobing, panning), and protein processing (slab and slit, extrusion). 
• Preferred experience in “better for you” ingredients and formulation (alternative sweeteners, protein, functional ingredients).
• Strong knowledge of various technical disciplines (Sensory, Research, Engineering and Packaging)
• Knowledge of key steps in the development of capital projects, including commercialization, equipment selection, creation of TFD’s, equipment acquisition, commissioning and start-up of process equipment and systems, and troubleshooting.
• 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
• Proven administrative ability, decision-making skills, financial understanding, business integration skills and technical expertise.
• Demonstrated problem solving and evaluation capabilities
• Excellent 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.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:  
Education and Experience: Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Biology; MS with 2-4 years’ experience or BS with 4-6 years’ experience.

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