Senior Research Scientist R&D Salty Pop/Puff

Job Location: Hershey, PA 

Summary: 
Reporting to the Salty Division Senior R&D Manager and based in the Hershey Technical Center in Hershey, PA, the Senior Research Scientist position provides technical and project leadership across a portfolio of product development and renovation initiatives at varying stages of the innovation lifecycle. Project complexity may be driven by technical challenges, manufacturing considerations, speed to market, number of concurrent projects, and cross‑functional engagement. The ability to operate with medium to high autonomy across initiatives is required.

The successful candidate consistently applies strong technical expertise, demonstrates critical thinking and problem‑solving skills, and communicates complex technical information effectively to diverse audiences. This role collaborates cross‑functionally to deliver high‑quality, scalable products that meet business and consumer objectives.

Specific Role Focus Area: 
• Focused on developing new products across our salty snacking portfolio including popcorn and puffs, as well as product renovations and quality improvement,
• Perform prototyping and development from bench top to manufacturing scale,
• Interact closely with a cross-functional team including marketing, QRC, manufacturing, and engineering,
• Assume a leadership role on complex projects and guide them through the Salty Innovation process with cross‑functional partners,
• Participate in project design and methodology, test ideas through experimentation, and determine next steps through problem solving,
• Work within a team to ensure product recipe and specification documentation is complete and accurate.

This role will interact and partner with: 
• R&D team members
• Manufacturing and Co-Manufacturing
• Engineering
• QRC
• Project Management

Summary of major duties:
Product Development leadership from benchtop to pilot plant to manufacturing scale
• Lead new product development and renovation projects from concept through pilot testing, manufacturing trials, scale‑up, and commercialization
• Partner with Marketing, Operations, Engineering, Quality, and suppliers to translate concepts into scalable, consumer‑preferred products
• Champion assigned projects through the Hershey process by owning formulation strategy and technical deliverables required for commercialization
• Design and conduct experiments; analyze data and apply technical rigor to guide development decisions and troubleshoot technical challenges
• Identify, evaluate, and apply ingredient, formulation, and processing technologies relevant to the Salty Snacks portfolio
• Ensure product recipes, specifications, and technical documentation are complete, accurate, and commercialization‑ready
Technical stewardship, readiness & cross functional partnership
• Provide technical stewardship to ensure products and processes are ready for manufacturing scale‑up and commercialization
• Work with cross functional teams to identify, assess, and mitigate technical, quality, and manufacturing risks throughout development and commercialization
• Serve as a technical thought partner to cross‑functional teams, translating technical considerations into clear trade‑offs and recommendations
Research design, data analysis, and technical communication  
• Design and execute experiments using appropriate analytical and statistical tools
• Analyze and interpret data to develop clear technical conclusions and recommendations
• Prepare technical reports and deliver presentations of key findings to support project and business decisions

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

• Demonstrated experience leading product development project to commercialize, 
• Hands on skills involving running laboratory and pilot plant equipment, 
• Demonstrated knowledge of salty snacks processing – popcorn, extruded snacks, baked snacks (pretzels), 
• Excellent communication, written and critical thinking skills,
• 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 success in leading multiple and simultaneous projects,
• Possess good computer skills (basic knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Teams). Prior experience with SAP is preferred,
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment,
• Up to 35% travel required.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: 
Education and Experience: BS degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related field with 6-8 years’ experience, MS or PhD in Food Science or related field with 2-4 years’ experience.  Intern and prior research project work will be considered; Salty Snacks product development experience is preferred.

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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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