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*Job Location: Hershey, PA Summary:* The Food Technologist supports product optimization and cost-saving initiatives across the Enterprise. This role leads and contributes to Continuous Improvement (CI) projects, ensuring technical feasibility, stakeholder alignment, and successful implementation in manufacturing environments. A successful candidate in this role will be an effective communicator at multiple levels in the organization, interested in both product and corresponding process improvement, and comfortable working in varying working environments. * Key Responsibilities* * Lead and support CI projects focused on product cost optimization, including: * Building and analyzing the business case of potential projects. * Developing lab-scale formulas/recipes, testing new formulations in the lab, scaling and testing in the pilot plant, and manufacturing plants as required. * Aligning key stakeholders (Manufacturing, Marketing, Quality, Regulatory, Planning, Packaging, etc.), and identifying potential challenges and interdependencies impacting projects. * Lead projects through appropriate governance/stage gate processes, as required. * Working with CI Engineering teammates to assess equipment capabilities and contribute to capital projects as required. * Leading onsite production trials for reformulations and alternate ingredients. * Participating and supporting other teammate’s trials and implementations onsite as needed. * Acquiring and analyzing production and quality data to understand impact of change. * Regular communication with stakeholders (leading meetings, sending summary reports of activities, daily communication when onsite, providing updated process documentation, etc.). * Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop future CI opportunities. * Evaluate technical feasibility and business impact of low to medium complexity new ideas. * Conduct experiments, analyze data, and prepare reports and presentations. * Ensure smooth change management processes to manufacturing. * Offer technical guidance to both internal teams and external vendors, ensuring alignment with the project's scope and changes. * * * * * Time %* * * Summary of major duties:* * 1. * 65% * Product cost optimization project execution * 2. * 25% * Onsite product, process improvements, QA and supply chain support (travel) * 3. * 10% * Collaborate with Procurement, Marketing and Commercial areas to develop future CI project ideas * Skills & Competencies* * Strong foundation in food science, chemistry, and ingredient functionality. Experience in chocolate/confection products preferred. * Ability to communicate effectively across various levels within the organization, from executive-level to manufacturing employees. * Capability to work both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams. * Formal problem solving experience using Root Cause Analysis methodology a plus (Lean, Six Sigma, PDCA, etc.) * Strong project management and problem-solving skills. * Experience with lab, pilot, and plant-scale equipment preferred. * Knowledge of GMP, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance preferred. * Flexibility to work in diverse environments such as in-office, laboratory, pilot plant, and onsite in manufacturing facilities, with the possibility of off-shift and/or extended hours and weekends during onsite work. * * * * * This role will interact and partner with:* * Manufacturing, Operations and Plant Quality Assurance * Quality and Regulatory Compliance * Procurement, Planning, and Logistics * Marketing and Consumer Research * R&D and Engineering * External Vendors * Qualifications* * BS in Food Science/Food Engineering with 0–2 years of experience, or * BS in Chemical, Mechanical or Biological Engineering with 0–2 years of experience 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 [email protected]. 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.