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Sr Research Scientist Sensory

Posted Date:  Jul 20, 2026
Requisition Number:  129640

Why Hershey:

At The Hershey Company, our culture is rooted in purpose and inspired by Milton Hershey’s enduring vision that business should create opportunity for others. Through our commitment to corporate philanthropy, we create positive impact by supporting communities, helping children thrive, and operating as a business for good. This includes our deep and long standing partnership with Milton Hershey School, where we invest in education, workforce readiness, and hands on engagement to help students succeed beyond the classroom. Supported by strategic grantmaking, product donations, cross brand collaboration, and strong employee volunteerism, Hershey offers a place to work where making a difference—locally and globally—is part of how we do business every day.

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Job Overview

Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Sensory Innovation and based at The Hershey Company Technical Center, this role leads multiple medium-complexity sensory and consumer research initiatives and supports more complex projects. The position requires expertise in sensory science, consumer research, statistics, and data visualization, with the ability to translate research findings into actionable business recommendations. Success in this role requires strong problem-solving, critical thinking, stakeholder influence, and effective communication across technical and non-technical audiences.

Key Responsibilities

  • Serve as the sensory research lead for assigned brands.
  • Design, execute, analyze, and communicate sensory and consumer research studies independently and collaboratively.
  • Lead sensory research supporting innovation, product improvements, and margin enhancement initiatives.
  • Apply analytical sensory methods alongside consumer testing to meet project objectives.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of new sensory and consumer research capabilities.

Key Partnerships

  • Product Development
  • Commercial & Innovation Marketing
  • Consumer Insights
  • Quality & Regulatory Compliance
  • Technology Development
  • External Research Suppliers

Travel

  • Up to 10% travel, primarily within the United States.

Accountabilities

-Proven success applying sensory and consumer research to support new product launches and product improvements.
-Strong knowledge of quantitative and qualitative consumer research methods (e.g., CLTs, HUTs, focus groups, ethnography, online surveys).
-Experience with analytical sensory methods, including descriptive and discrimination testing.
-Expertise in research design, statistical analysis, and translating complex data into actionable business insights.
-Experience with DOE, Drivers of Liking, product/process optimization, and category assessments.
-Proficiency with statistical software such as JMP, R, SPSS, SAS, Minitab, or similar tools.Experience with sensory data collection systems, preferably EyeQuestion, Compusense, or RedJade.Curiosity and adaptability in applying emerging technologies, including AI-enabled analytics, text generation, and predictive modeling.
-Strong collaboration, communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
-Demonstrated leadership, business acumen, and conflict management capabilities.
-Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); experience with Copilot or similar AI tools is a plus.
-Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently with minimal supervision.

Minimum Education & Requirements

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.

 

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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Nearest Major Market: Harrisburg

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