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Job Location: Hershey, PA * Summary:* Reporting to the Senior Manager Reese Research & Development and working at The Hershey Company’s Technical Center, the Associate Manager position provides both managerial and project leadership with ~40% of the individual’s time focused on managerial and organizational initiatives and ~60% focused on medium complexity product development initiatives. This position would also start to drive various strategic initiatives while also executing on all workstreams. Medium to high autonomy across all initiatives is required. A successful candidate consistently demonstrates and applies managerial skills and technical knowledge and expertise. This candidate has proven problem solving skills and is a critical thinker, resulting in problem resolution and process improvements. The successful candidate can communicate complex or technical subject matter to different audiences at different levels within the organization. This candidate has the capability to influence stakeholders and leverage networks to provide solutions. * Specific Role Focus Area: * * Lead managerial and organizational initiatives (~40% FTE) and product development projects (~60% FTE) which provide innovative new products within Chocolate Research and Development. * These areas include formulation development, ingredient development and product transformation interactions. * Proactively identify organizational and strategic opportunities, define scope, engage, influence, and align stakeholders, successfully implement changes, and monitor and implement continuous improvements * Management responsibility for 2 - 5 Research Technicians/Assistants with the responsibilities of setting organizational priorities, project milestones, people development, and organizational engagement * Perform prototyping and 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 production, engineering, and marketing. * Understand the business impact of initiatives and projects. * Apply technical rigor and scientific principles and practices. * Provide input for technical feasibility for new product concepts. * Partnering with Supply Chain to provide technical support to drive quality and value improvement in products and process * This role will interact and partner with: * * Marketing * Manufacturing * Engineering * Quality and Regulatory * Project Management * Technology Development * Direct Reports Approximately ~10% travel required, primarily within the US, but including occasional international travel. * Summary of major duties:* * Talent & Organizational Development: * * Provide overall leadership as it relates to organization structure and people development: develops, leads, manages, and mentors Research Technicians/Assistants and/or others in a way to * ensure retention, development, and high performance of talent. * Identification and implementation of organizational and strategic opportunities including defining scope, engaging, influencing, and aligning stakeholders, successfully implementing change(s), and monitoring and implementing continuous improvements * Project Leadership: * * Lead product development projects which provide innovative new products in Chocolate Product Development. These areas include formulation development, ingredient development and * product transformation interactions. * Perform prototyping and 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 production, engineering, and marketing. * Understand the business impact of the projects. * Apply technical rigor and scientific principles and practices. Provide input for technical feasibility for new product concepts. * Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:* * Experience leading innovation initiatives, which could include product development, quality improvement, cost improvement, technology validation and process optimization. * Demonstrated knowledge in confection and chocolate formulation and recipe development. * Demonstrated experience in confection and chocolate process platforms (moulding, enrobing, panning). * Preferred experience in snacking platforms, such as cookies, crackers, granola bars, etc. * Strong knowledge of various technical disciplines (Sensory, Research, Engineering and Packaging) * Knowledge of key steps in the development of capital projects, including commercialization, equipment selection, creation of TFD’s, equipment acquisition, commissioning and start-up of * process equipment and systems, and troubleshooting. * Understanding of the impact of the key processing parameters in the conversion of raw ingredient and in-process material to finished product and critical for the day-to-day operation of a line. * Demonstrated influencing skills * Proven administrative ability, decision-making skills, financial understanding, business integration skills and technical expertise. * Demonstrated problem solving and evaluation capabilities. * Excellent troubleshooting skills. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills. * Must be open to and comfortable with change. * The candidate much be able to work independently, and as part of a team in a fast-paced, growth-oriented business. * Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:* *Education and Experience:* PhD in in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Biology with 2-4 years’ experience, MS with 4-6 years’ experience, or BS with 6-8 years’ experience. Introductory experience in people management such as Interns, Co-ops, and technicians is preferred. #LI-AM1 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 If you require a reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact the HR Service Center ([email protected]).