Sr Food Technologist

Job Location: Technical Center

Summary:

Reporting to the Manager of Enterprise Continuous Improvement Strategy Development and working at the Technical Center in Hershey, PA, the Senior Food Technologist position is responsible for developing future continuous improvement projects across the company's Candy, Gum, Mint, and Salty Snacks portfolio.

This position assumes a technical leadership role leveraging food science and process engineering experience to identify and develop of new continuous improvement projects and technology platforms to be delivered over a 3-5-year time horizon. A key responsibility will be to objectively evaluate opportunities to determine the feasibility of ideas with consideration given to technical feasibility, product quality, manufacturing capability, labeling, consumer acceptance, and financial viability.

This position serves as a technical expert by developing and maintaining up to date knowledge of products, processes, technologies and manufacturing operations. A successful candidate needs to be proficient at communicating technical subject matter both written and verbally to different audiences in the organization. They are adept at evaluating product and process changes that will improve product margin.

Scope of Responsibility:

Project Leadership

• Under minimal direction assume responsibility for undertaking and executing process and product optimization projects of varying importance, complexity or scope.
• Undertake projects as assigned and make suggestions for initiation of projects or their abandonment as experience allows.
• Provide updates to project teams and management throughout the company that allows for timely decision making and the execution of testing schedules in an expedient and effective manner.
• Assume responsibility for participating in project design and methodology, problem solving through application of knowledge and original thinking.
• Identify, develop and validate process and product optimization projects through preparation of experimental formulations and process designs, bench and pilot scale development, stakeholder alignment, manufacturing trials, and financial viability.
• Lead projects up to and including project handoff documentation preparation and transfer to a project leader. Occasionally leadership through implementation will be necessary, to include process and product support, training and sustainability initiatives.
• Close collaboration with R&D, Engineering, Finance, QRC, Manufacturing and Marketing will be required.
• Under general direction, take initiative to secure from such resources for all pertinent advice, ideas, and information having a bearing upon a project.
• Relentlessly challenges the status quo (suppliers, technology, process) to identify and drive packaging cost, quality, performance, and sustainability optimization
• Routinely benchmarks and monitors trends and technology to apply best demonstrated practices which drive cost, quality, performance, and sustainability improvements
• Designs and conducts data generating tests and implements quality and performance optimization via data analytics and robust performance specification development
• Aligning key stakeholders and identifying potential challenges and interdependencies impacting projects and platforms.

Technology Application

• Leverage knowledge, experience, and industry contacts to identify new emerging technologies for continuous improvement platforms to meet strategic growth and cost initiatives.
• Determine technical feasibility and economic justification for new technology applications.
• Coordinate the operation of plant, pilot plant processing or laboratory equipment or apparatus in the performance of tests or the implementation of improvements.

Process Management

• Develop and maintain up to date knowledge related to processing technologies, equipment, and product formulas in a minimum of two technical areas related to chocolate, confectionery, candy or related snack foods.

This role will interact and partner with:

• External Vendors
• Marketing and Consumer Research
• Procurement, Planning, and Logistics
• R&D and Engineering
• Manufacturing, Operations and Plant Quality Assurance
• Legal, and Quality and Regulatory Compliance

This role will require 10-20 % travel.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of food chemistry principles and ingredient functionality.
• Experience in confection and chocolate formulation, technology, processing, and manufacturing
• Demonstrated application of food science and process engineering principles in developing manufacturing solutions with a sound understanding of the interaction between process unit operations and product physical and sensory properties.
• Possess working technical knowledge of product development and optimization, including manufacturing validation and implementation.
• Experience operating lab and pilot scale equipment/instrumentation and working in a manufacturing plant.
• Scale-up/plant test process experience
• Observing, recording, and evaluating experimental data to draw conclusions.
• Preparing project reports and presentations.
• Business case development including technical and financial feasibility of new project ideas resulting in a prioritized list of opportunities Supporting supply chain continuity initiatives in collaboration with vendors of ingredients.
• Sensory and analytical techniques related to the analysis of food
• Problem solving and product troubleshooting through application of knowledge and creative thinking that will allow new ideas and platforms to advance through feasibility testing.
• Work closely with procurement and suppliers to identify future opportunities.
• Working knowledge of food science, process technology, quality assurance, and good manufacturing practices
• Operations/Manufacturing knowledge related to food production; confectionery manufacturing preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercising a moderate level of judgment in project execution.
• Possess time management skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple priorities in an expedient manner, understanding the required business objectives, developing solutions and schedules, and efficient and expedient project executions.
• Interpersonal skills that allow for effective working relationships at all levels across the organization.
• Working experience with lean/six sigma principles; certification preferred
• Proficient computer literacy, fluent with Microsoft Office Suite

Minimum Requirements and Education:

• MS in Food Science, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, or other technical degree with 2-4 years of experience
• BS in Food Science, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, or other technical degree with 4-6 years of experience.