Sr Mgr Product Commercialization

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

Under the direction of the Director New Tech & Product Commercialization, the Senior Manager of Product Commercialization will be responsible for leading the engineering design and commercialization of new products and line extensions ensuring products can be made on Supply Chain Internal (plant) or External (co-manufacturing) resources. The Engineering Sr Mgr. will partner with R&D, Operations Business Development, and Marketing teams to deliver in-year and out-year innovation pipeline goals for Core CMG and Strategic Growth Platform business units and proactively engage with these teams to meet the changing needs of the business. The Sr Mgr. will represent Engineering and Support Supply Chain in Commercial Gate review meetings and ensure teams are prepared to meet all Capital Stage Gate requirements as projects progress. Finally, the Sr Mgr. will be responsible for hiring, mentoring, and developing the talent necessary to sustain the Hershey Engineering Innovation Program execution.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of manufacturing processing solutions for new product innovation for consistent and efficient production.
• Support innovation by participating in identifying early-stage manufacturing and engineering solutions including timing, capital requirements and location assessments.
• Work with other leaders in developing the New Products / Innovation capital plan (mid and long-term) and facilitate the alignment, approval, and execution of such plan. This responsibility includes the preparation of proper documentation to request Capital approval and the appropriate use of standard project tracking tools.
• Support plant or new processes startups providing technical expertise and team support.
• Lead robust technical gate reviews ensuring technical issues are identified and resolved to enable gate progression, delivering expected and aligned commercialization outcomes.
• Lead development and execution of robust commissioning plans for new products and technologies
• Support R&D efforts to develop robust Transformational Flow Diagrams for new products through process critiques and constructive feedback.
• Ensure appropriate resourcing across all business units to deliver on innovation objectives and support capacity projects as needed.
• Support the development, planning, and execution of small scale “in market test” production runs and coordinate of product distribution to end customer.
• -Work in tight connection with cross functional partners in the design and execution of programs that promote a safety culture and that result in the safety of our people and the fulfillment of the environment and sustainability policy.
• Coach and develop Product Commercialization team members, ensuring development of robust training and career development plans.
• Motivate and manage department through key development objectives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering (or other relevant field of study)
• At least 10 years of relevant process development/engineering experience in the Confectionery, Food, or Pharmaceutical Industry with demonstrated ability to lead teams in the conceptualization and development of innovation products in addition to planning and execution of projects and programs.
• At least 1 year of in-plant/manufacturing experience in a technical and/or leadership role.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge in basic unit operations and utilities services used in the Confectionery manufacturing industry (Depositing, Extrusion, Roasting, Baking, Chocolate Processing, Tempering, Enrobing, Cooking and Confectionery unit operations) and/or other similar processes (mixing, pumping, powder handling, heat transfer, conveying, etc.).
• Agile and flexible to changing demands and workload to ensure timely results.
• Demonstrated success in ideation, design, and execution of small/medium (<$1MM) and large capital projects (>$10MM).
• Excellent cross functional communication and collaboration skills.
• Skill at mentoring, coaching and leading technology and technical skills development.
• Proven track record in developing and maintaining strong cross functional partnerships with a solutions-oriented mindset.