Technician Sensory Cocoa Science

Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Manager Sensory Cocoa Science and primarily working at The Hershey Company’s Technical Center and on occasion the Sensory Lab at 19 East, the Technician will support project execution for the sensory department.

Specific Role Focus Area:

• Sample preparation, ballot programming and execution of Employee Testing and/or Professional Panel projects at the Tech Center and 19 East
  • Descriptive Analysis/Consensus Profiling/Progressive Profiling
  • Discrimination Testing (i.e. 2 of 5, Paired Comparison, Duo-Trio, Triangle, etc.)
  • Employee Acceptability Testing (i.e. Innovation and shelf life)
  • Support to packaging, liquor, chocolate, butters and other misc. routine approval testing as needed
• Schedule projects and maintain testing calendar to ensure project deadlines are met
• Maintenance of project sample inventory: sample receipt, storage, and tracking for sensory projects, move samples among temperature storage conditions as per department guidelines
• Maintenance of Tech Center and 19E Sensory Laboratory (including supplies and equipment) and storage areas (incl. pantry, coolers, chambers, and freezers)
• Maintenance of testing supplies and incentives/snacks; conduct necessary grocery shopping (online and in-store)
• Support to SPI Consumer test sample preparation and shipping to test sites

This role will interact and partner with:

• Sensory professionals (technicians, professional panelists and project leaders)
• Functions within the Tech Center such as R&D FOF Technology Development, Product Development, Lab Ops, Facilities
• Employees at corporate 19E facility

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Prepare and execute sensory testing, includes sample prep, test execution (TC or 19E facilities), etc.
• Maintain Sensory lab and storage areas including management of equipment, test samples, misc. grocery shopping for panel treats and references, supply inventory, shipping of samples or references, etc.
• Support new panelist training, employee and external supplier training: sample preparation, packing, shipping (as needed)

Qualifications:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, will provide training on EyeQuestion sensory software
• Ability to interact effectively with large and diverse group of people
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize with limited supervision
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Basic problem solving and decision-making ability
• Proven time management skills; capable of managing multiple simultaneous priorities
• Ability to stand/walk for long periods of time
• Ability to bend and climb on step stool or ladder
• Ability to lift 50-pound cases of product
• Valid driver’s license

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum 1-2 years of laboratory experience working in food CPG or food service
  • Bonus:
  • AS or BS in Science or similar
  • ServSafe certification