Sr. Research Scientist, Continuous Improvement Salty
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 Manager, R&D Salty Process Development & Continuous Improvement, this role leads product and process optimization initiatives across Hershey’s Salty Snacks portfolio, including SkinnyPop, Dot’s Pretzels, Pirate’s Booty, and Reese’s Filled Pretzels. Based in Hershey, PA, the Sr. Research Scientist drives Continuous Improvement projects focused on ingredients, commodities, product design, and manufacturing efficiency. The role requires a high level of technical expertise, independent decision-making, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders across functions. Lean/Six Sigma principles are applied to support manufacturing optimization and business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead development, validation, and implementation of projects focused on ingredient sourcing, product design, and manufacturing optimization.
- Improve supply flexibility, reliability, and cost efficiency through technical solutions.
- Develop formulations, product/process specifications, project scope, and timelines.
- Conduct feasibility and proof-of-concept testing to evaluate technical and financial viability.
- Analyze results, provide recommendations, and drive process or formulation improvements to enhance capacity and efficiency.
- Prepare technical reports, summarize findings, and present recommendations to leadership.
- Partner cross-functionally to ensure product recipes, specifications, and documentation are accurate and complete.
- Share technical expertise and effectively communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences across the organization.
Accountabilities
Key Partnerships
- R&D Team Members
- Manufacturing & Co-Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Enterprise & Salty Consumer Insights Teams
- Quality & Regulatory Compliance (QRC)
- Project Management
- Procurement
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong technical expertise in product and process development for salty snacks, including popcorn, extruded snacks, pretzels, crackers, and cookies, with experience in formulation, optimization, scale-up, validation, and commercialization.
- Demonstrated application of food science and process engineering principles, including understanding of process unit operations and their impact on product quality and sensory attributes.
- Knowledge of food manufacturing systems, equipment, sanitary design, construction practices, and industry suppliers.
- Basic understanding of Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and P&IDs.
- Working knowledge of Food Science, Engineering, Quality Assurance, GMPs, Lean Manufacturing, and TPM; Green/Black Belt certification preferred.
- Experience operating laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing equipment in a production environment.
- Ability to independently manage projects, prioritize competing demands, and execute against business objectives.
- Strong project management, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills.
- Effective collaborator with the ability to build relationships across all organizational levels.
- Strong written, verbal, and computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Flexible schedule with the ability to work extended hours when required.
Minimum Education & Requirements
BS degree in Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or engineering-related field with 5-8 years’ experience, MS or PhD in Food Science or related field with 2-4 years’ experience.
Intern and prior research project work will be considered; Salty Snacks product development experience is preferred
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.
You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability.
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.
Nearest Major Market: Harrisburg
