Sr Process Development Engineer

Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

Reporting to the Salty Division Process Development R&D Manager and based in the Hershey Technical Center in Hershey, PA, the Senior Process Development Engineer position provides project leadership of product development projects in Hershey’s salty snack portfolio. The ability to operate with medium to high autonomy across all initiatives is required. The successful candidate will consistently demonstrate, apply, and disseminate technical knowledge and expertise. This candidate must demonstrate proven problem-solving skills and is a critical thinker, resulting in problem resolution and process improvements. The successful candidate can communicate complex or technical subject matter to different audiences at different levels within the organization. This candidate has the capability to influence stakeholders and leverage networks to provide solutions.

Specific Role Focus Area:

• Assist in the development and validation of new process technologies to enable R&D and other business objectives
• Test ideas through experimental design; collect and analyze data using analytical process tools to provide recommendations
• Leverage hands-on skills involving running laboratory and pilot plant equipment including equipment assembly, preparation, and operation
• Bring technical rigor to troubleshoot technical issues and determine the next steps through structured problem-solving methods
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners & assist in the product development process from benchtop to pilot to commercial scale
• Lead in-plant initiatives such as processing trials, factory acceptance tests, and new product start-ups
• Present project results in both written and oral forms
• Transfer knowledge to Product Development, Continuous Improvement, Commercialization and/or Operations teams
• Ability to work in a team environment and independently in a work environment with fast-moving priorities.

This role will interact and partner with:

• R&D team members:
  • Salty R&D, Lead Process Engineer, CI R&D
• Manufacturing and Co-Manufacturing
• Engineering & Process Validation Engineers
• QRC
• Project Management

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Process development for existing product types within Salty Snacks:

Lead 60%, Assist 5% & Supervise 5%

• Support/lead process development workstreams.
• Partner with R&D to support pipeline process needs
• Champion assigned projects through Hershey’s processes
• Create process specifications & SOPs to drive success at commercialization
• Test ideas through experimental design; collect and analyze data using analytical process tools to provide recommendations
• Troubleshoot technical issues
• Determine next steps through problem solving
• Have a good understanding of current processing technologies across salty snacks industry and continue to explore new and breakthrough technologies
• Hands-on work in pilot plant; running lab and factory equipment
• Support/lead line trials and startups at internal and co-manufacturing locations or suppliers

Support innovation and lead cross-functional team in development of new processes or technologies:

• Collaborate with cross-functional groups to ideate, identify, develop solutions, and commercialize new technologies
• Actively seek new technologies and process improvement &/or CI opportunities
• Lead the development of new processes through research and experimentation to deliver project results
• Make recommendations on equipment needs & present findings to capital team members

Research design/data analysis/report writing/presentation:

• Design and execute experiments, analyze data and provide conclusions using an appropriate statistical tool
• Prepare all project reports as required
• Create and deliver presentations of significant results to drive business decisions

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

Food Science or Food Engineering is desirable. The candidate will have knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), analytical techniques, research methodology and experimentation. Candidates should be comfortable operating laboratory and pilot plant equipment.

• Experience processing equipment, being able to answer “how do we make it happen and what equipment do we use?”
• Sound technical knowledge and capability of applying knowledge to research projects
• Hands-on skills involving running laboratory and pilot plant equipment
• Understanding of food analytical techniques & key processing methods for popcorn, expanded snacks, and pretzels
• Strong technical writing skills; experience with SOPs, research methodology, & design of experiments
• Excellent mathematical & statistical skills
• Experience working in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
• General understanding of sanitary design and construction practices
• Ability to collaborate and communicate across regions, departments, and all levels of the organization
• Possess good computer skills (basic knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Teams)
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment
• Up to 35% travel

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities

• Experience in high pressure extrusion/expansion, popcorn, and/or salty snacks
• Process development experience, specifically related to Salty Snacks
• Test new equipment and technologies for innovation
• Lead pilot plant trials and experiments, create process specifications
• Qualification of co-manufacturers & support start-ups

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• BS degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related engineering field with 6-8 years’ experience
• MS or PhD in Food Engineering or related field with 2-4 years’ experience
• Intern and prior research project work will be considered; Salty Snacks process development experience is preferred

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