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Job Location: Hershey, PA * Summary:* Residing at The Hershey Company's Technical Center, this position involves a unique opportunity to work within the Chocolate Research and Development department. This group is responsible for developing innovative new products for The Hershey Company. The successful candidate for this position will be a major contributor to achieve company goals and programs. The individual should be able to provide input to set priorities and contribute to strategic direction for research programs. Specifically, this candidate will lead complex projects with high levels of autonomy and apply in-depth knowledge of product and process development initiatives for the Reese’s Brand. The individual will provide guidance in a cross functional setting, working closely with business partners in Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality 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 Sr. Manager and work with other senior management to establish strategic direction and goals for research. * Summary of major duties:* *Project Leadership* • Lead product and process development projects with high levels of autonomy which provide innovative new products and processes in support of Reese’s Innovation. These areas include formulation development, ingredient development, product transformation 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, production, engineering, and marketing. • Understand the business impact of the projects. • Communicate across multiple functions and levels. • Obtain and allocate resources for projects as necessary. • Provide leadership, coaching, and instruction. • Explore new areas of processing with an eye to invention and breakthrough opportunities. • Apply intensive and diversified scientific and/or engineering 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 technical, new product innovation initiatives, which could include product development, quality improvement, cost improvement, technology validation, and process development and optimization. • Demonstrated knowledge in confection and chocolate formulation and recipe development. • Demonstrated technical expertise in confection and chocolate process platforms (chocolate making, moulding, enrobing, panning). • Strong knowledge of various technical disciplines (Sensory, Research, Engineering and Packaging) • Knowledge of key steps in the development of processes and capital projects, including commercialization, equipment selection, equipment acquisition, commissioning, start-up of process equipment and systems, and troubleshooting. • Understanding the impact of key processing parameters in the conversion of raw ingredient and in-process material to finished product that are critical for the day-to-day operation of a line. • 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 • Must be open to and comfortable with change. • The candidate must be able to work with high levels of autonomy, ambiguity, and as part of a team in a fast-paced, growth-oriented business. • Approximately 20% travel required, primarily within the US, but including occasional international travel. * Education:* Bachelor’s Degree in a related field required (Food Science, Food Engineering, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemical, Agricultural, Biological, or Engineering); master’s or PhD preferred. * Experience: * • 10+ years of working experience within food or confection industry. • Project Leadership, Technical problem solving, Product Development, Process Engineering, and/or Product Commercialization. • Experience in leading the Product and Process Development portion of multiple projects is required. • Expert knowledge in the importance of the interactions of ingredients and process unit operations is required. #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. 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.