Sr Research Scientist R&D Cocoa Science

Posted Date: Dec 17, 2024

Requisition Number: 123902

Location- Hershey, PA (Technology Center

Summary:

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Cocoa Science and working at The Hershey Company’s Technical Center, the Senior Research Scientist - Cocoa Science position provides an exciting opportunity to join the rapidly growing Cocoa Science team. The successful candidate in this role will lead projects to enable more sustainable cocoa farming practices and support key technical initiatives to enable cocoa quality improvement. The role will include leadership of multiple medium complexity projects. This project leader will be adept at demonstrating and applying technical knowledge and expertise to the Hershey Cocoa Science program. They will have the ability to assess the current state of the art in agronomy and food science, develop relationships internally and externally with partners, create a technical strategy for research and implementation with partners, influence stakeholders to gain alignment and execute research. They will demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, the ability to think critically and the ability to apply their background and experience to new areas. In addition, this candidate will be skilled at influencing and leveraging networks to provide technical solutions related to Cocoa Science.

Up to 30% travel required, domestic and international.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Project Leadership for Cocoa Science
Actively identify and develop new technologies and innovation opportunities to drive our Cocoa Science Initiatives to success.
Develop and execute experiments at bench top and through scale up to enable optimization of cocoa based ingredient and process technologies.
Advise on research and field trials to develop new and improved cocoa varieties.
Develop and execute characterization methods to enable deeper understanding and appropriate metrics for technical projects.
Champion assigned projects through Hershey Technical Resource Review process.
Test ideas through experimental design, collect and analyze data using analytical process tools to provide recommendations.
Bring technical rigor to troubleshoot technical issues and determine next steps through problem solving and collaboration.
Collaborate with cross-functional groups to ideate, identify, develop solutions, and implement new technologies.
Mentor and guide junior scientists and engineers within R&D
Provide leadership and instruction to technicians
Product and Process development and characterization; lab & pilot-plant equipment operation
Operate or direct the operation of lab or pilot-plant equipment in the performance of tests or experiments.
Lead the development of new processes through research and experimentation to deliver project results. Hands-on work involving running lab, pilot plant and factory equipment.
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:

Ability to travel to cocoa growing origins and partner locations
Demonstrated experience leading a cross-functional technology project to implementation
Sound technical knowledge; capable of applying knowledge to research project
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Strong critical thinking skills
Strong project management and organizational skills
Understanding of the impact of the key parameters in the conversion of raw ingredient and in-process material to finished material or product
Demonstrated success in leading multiple and simultaneous projects.
Possess good computer skills (knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, statistical software,)
Ability to work in a team environment and independently in a flexible work environment with changing priorities
Strong mathematical skills
Ability to present project updates to internal and external stakeholders

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

BS degree in Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Agriculture and/or Food Science with 4-6 years’ experience, MS with 2-4 years’ experience, or PhD with 0-2 years’ experience.
Prior research project work will be considered; Experience executing international projects is preferred.
Skills in Spanish and/or French is a plus.

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