Staff Scientist R&D Peanut Science

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:  
Residing at The Hershey Company's Technical Center, this position involves a unique opportunity to work within the Research and Development department focusing on developing technologies to improve the resilience of the peanut crop and of peanut farmers. 
 

The successful candidate for this position will be a major contributor toward company goals and programs. The individual will provide input to set priorities and contribute to strategic direction for research programs. The individual will lead complex projects with high levels of autonomy and apply in-depth knowledge of agronomic and ingredient development initiatives related to peanuts. The individual will provide guidance in a cross functional setting, working closely with business partners in Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Legal to determine project goals and timetables, execute the projects, resolve resource allocation and timing issues, and ensure that business objectives are achieved.
 

The successful candidate will report to the group’s Director and work with other senior management to establish strategic direction and goals for research

Summary of major duties:
• Lead product and process development projects with high levels of autonomy which improve the quality, sustainability, and resilience of the peanut supply.  These areas include the agricultural aspects of peanut production, ingredient development, product transformations and interactions, and process development.
• Perform prototyping and product and process development from bench top to pilot plant to full manufacturing scale.
• Interact closely with a cross functional group of technical, professional, and managerial staff of R&D as well as manufacturing, engineering, and procurement teams. 
• Partner with supply chain to provide technical support to drive quality and value improvement in products and processes 
• Represent Hershey at industry organizations, conferences, and meetings, including pre-competitive research projects. 
• Develop and be able to articulate the business impact of the projects.
• Communicate across multiple functions and levels. 
• Explore new areas of research with an eye to invention and breakthrough opportunities through the application of intensive and diversified scientific and/or engineering principles and practices.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:  
• Experience leading technical initiatives, which could include product development, quality improvement, cost improvement, technology validation, and process development and optimization.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in peanut agriculture and post-harvest processing
• Strong knowledge of related technical disciplines (Sensory, Research, Engineering and Packaging).
• A deep understanding of the chemical and physical property attributes of peanut raw materials, in process materials, and finished products, as well as how key processing parameters influence the transformation of these inputs into the final product.
• Strong ability to influence and persuade across functions and levels.
• Proven administrative ability, decision-making skills, financial understanding, business integration skills and technical expertise.
• Strong problem solving and evaluation capabilities.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work with high levels of autonomy, navigate ambiguity, and also work effectively as part of a team 
• Up to 25% travel required, primarily within the US, but including occasional international travel.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:  
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field required (Food Science, Food Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Plant Science, or similar).  Master of Science or PhD degree preferred.
Experience: Minimum 10 years of working experience within the food industry, focusing on nuts and nut ingredients.

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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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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.