Senior Research Scientist Sensory Innovation

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Sensory Innovation and working at The Hershey Company’s Technical Center, the Senior Research Scientist position provides project leadership on multiple medium complexity initiatives and/or beginning to lead a higher complexity initiative with support. Complexity of a workstream can be increased through technical complexity, manufacturing complexity, speed to market, quantity of projects and cross-functional support.  For the Sensory professional, complexity is driven by the learning plan and types of applied research methods. Examples of complex studies include Drivers of Liking, consumer-based specifications, large DOE studies, a combination of multiple methods or multiple waves of research. A successful candidate is adept at demonstrating and applying technical knowledge and expertise (sensory & consumer research, statistics and data visualization).  Ability to develop and share technical expertise within functional area and cross functionally within the organization, strong problem-solving skills & the ability to think critically is important to this role. The successful candidate is proficient at communicating complex or technical subject matter written and verbally to different audiences at different levels within the organization. Ability to influence internal customers and key stakeholders and leveraging networks to provide solutions are necessary skills.

Specific Role Focus Area: 
• Serve as the sensory liaison to assigned brands.
• Work independently and collaboratively to design, collect, analyze, interpret, and report sensory and consumer data, delivering actionable recommendations to cross functional teams and stakeholders.
• Leverage knowledge of consumer and analytical sensory methods to lead research primarily for innovation but will also lead projects on product improvements and margin enhancements to existing products. 
• Apply analytical sensory methods strategically to complement consumer testing and ensure project objectives are met.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new/improved sensory and consumer research capabilities to further expand the department toolbox of methods.

This role will interact and partner with: 
• Product Development
• Commercial and Innovation Marketing
• Consumer Insights
• Quality and Regulatory Compliance
•  Technology Development
• External Research Suppliers

Up to 10% travel required, primarily within the US.

Summary of major duties:
Business Support
• Serve as a liaison to assigned brand teams and R&D partners.
• The role entails participating in recurring project meetings and working with cross-functional team members to define project objectives, identify appropriate types of sensory and/or consumer research needed, and designing test protocols (includes consumer, discrimination, and descriptive testing).
• Serve as a technical thought partner to cross functional teams, helping shape learning agendas and research strategies
• Planning, execution, analysis, and interpretation of sensory/consumer tests, including working with external vendors; communication of results both verbally and in report/presentation format leading to sound recommendations and business decisions.  
Capability Building 
• Assessment and implementation of new sensory and consumer research methods to drive capabilities, efficiencies, and performance.  
• Interface with suppliers and industry professionals to recommend new research approaches and tools.
• Recurring Sensory team meetings to gain and maintain alignment on methods and best practices, administrative meetings, etc.  

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:  
• Proven track record of applying sensory and consumer testing methods to support the successful launch of new products and/or product improvements to existing products.
• Strong knowledge and application of quantitative and qualitative consumer test methods to drive new product development and continuous improvement efforts (e.g., CLTs, HUTs, focus groups, ethnography, online surveys).
• Applied experience with sensory analytical methods, including descriptive and discrimination testing.
• Expertise in leading research projects, including research design, advanced statistical analysis, and reporting of complex studies to generate insights and inform business direction. Experience includes statistical modeling of sensory and consumer data, Design of Experiments (DOE), product and process optimization, category assessments, and Drivers of Liking (DOL).
• Experience with statistical analysis and programming software (e.g., JMP, R, SPSS, SAS, Minitab, or similar) and advanced statistical techniques.
• Proficiency in the use of sensory data collection systems, including EyeQuestion (preferred), Compusense, or RedJade.
• Demonstrates curiosity and adaptability in applying emerging technologies—such as AI assisted data analytics, text generation, and predictive modeling—to improve the efficiency, quality, and scalability of sensory science projects.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across and within functions that represent diverse viewpoints.
• Leadership skills and behaviors, including business acumen, conflict management, and excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; familiarity with Microsoft Copilot or similar AI enabled productivity tools is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently with minimal supervision.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:  
Education and Experience: MS in Food Science, Psychology, Statistics, or a related field with an emphasis in Sensory and Consumer Research and 2–4 years of relevant experience; or BS with 4–6 years of relevant experience.
A degree or certification in Market Research is a plus.

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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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You can request an accommodation via phone or email.  

To request an accommodation via phone, please call +1 877-804-1794 and leave a voicemail with your contact information.  You may also email a request for accommodation to ApplicationHelp@hersheys.com. Please be sure to include “Accommodation Needed” in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.