Job Title Sensory Senior Research Scientist-Salty Snacks

Job Location: Hershey, PA

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Mandate

This position requires that you must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (even if working remotely) and present proof of vaccination before beginning employment. If you receive an offer of employment, you will be asked as part of the background check process to upload a copy of your vaccination card. If you believe you require an accommodation for medical or religious reasons related to the vaccine safety mandate, you may submit a request after you receive an offer of employment. Instructions on how to do so will be provided in your offer letter.

Summary:

Reporting to the Senior Manager Innovation and working at The Hershey Company’s Technical Center, the Senior Research Scientist position provides project leadership on multiple medium complexity initiatives and/or beginning to lead a higher complexity initiative with support. Complexity of a workstream can be increased through technical complexity, manufacturing complexity, speed to market, quantity of projects, and cross-functional support. This position is focused on executing on all workstreams. A medium to high level of autonomy for the medium complexity initiatives or a low to medium level of autonomy for the high complexity initiatives is required. A successful candidate is adept at demonstrating and applying technical knowledge and expertise. This candidate has the ability to develop and share technical expertise within functional area and cross functionally within the organization and has strong problem-solving skills & the ability to think critically. The successful candidate is proficient at communicating complex or technical subject matter written and verbally to different audiences at different levels within the organization. This candidate is influencing customers and leveraging networks to provide solutions.

Specific Role Focus Area:

• Serve as the sensory liaison to the Salty Division (Amplify and Dot’s Pretzels)
• Work independently and as a part of a team to design, collect, analyze, interpret, and report sensory and consumer data to provide actionable guidance and business recommendations to cross-functional teams and key stakeholders
• Leverage knowledge of consumer and analytical sensory methods to lead research for product improvements in existing products and innovation
• Apply analytical sensory methods as needed to complement testing required to meet project objectives
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new/improved sensory and consumer research capabilities to further expand the department toolbox of methods

This role will interact and partner with:

• Product Development
• Commercial and Innovation Marketing
• Consumer Insights
• Manufacturing
• Engineering
• Quality and Regulatory Compliance
• Technology Development
• External Research Suppliers

Approximately 10% travel required, primarily within the US.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Business Support

• Serve as a liaison to their assigned brand teams R&D partners.
• The role entails participating in recurring project meetings and working with cross-functional team members to define project objectives, identify appropriate type of sensory and/or consumer research needed, and designing test protocols (includes consumer, discrimination, and descriptive testing).
• Planning, execution, analysis, and interpretation of sensory/consumer tests, including working with external vendors; communication of results both verbally and in report/presentation format leading to sound recommendations and business decisions.

Capability Building (methods & talent)

• Assessment and implementation of new sensory and consumer research methods to drive capabilities, efficiencies, and performance.
• Interface with suppliers and industry professionals to recommend new research approaches and tools.
• Recurring Sensory team meetings to gain and maintain alignment on methods and best practices, administrative meetings, etc.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:

• Proven track record of applying sensory and consumer testing methods to support the successful launch of new products to the market and/or product improvements on existing products.
• Demonstrated expertise and ability to lead projects. Includes research design, advanced statistical analysis, and reporting of complex studies to generate insights and business direction. Statistical modelling of sensory and consumer data, Design of Experiments (DOE), product/process optimizations, category assessments, Drivers of Liking (DOL).
• Experience with statistical analysis and programming software (i.e. SAS, JMP, R, SPSS, StatsGraphics, Minitab, etc.) and advanced statistical techniques (conjoint, regression, correlation, factor and cluster analysis, principle component analysis, etc.).
• Proficient in the use of sensory data collection systems (i.e. EyeQuestion preferred, Compusense, SIMS)
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of sensory analytical methods (descriptive, discrimination).
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of quantitative and qualitative consumer test methods to drive new product development and continuous improvement efforts (CLTs, HUTs, focus groups, ethnography, online surveys, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate across and within functions that represent diverse viewpoints.
• Leadership skills/behaviors: business acumen, conflict management, and excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize with very limited supervision

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

MS in Food Science, Psychology, or Statistics with an emphasis in Sensory and Consumer Research with 2-4 years experience, BS with 4-6 years experience. A degree or certification in Market Research is a plus.

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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 (askhr@hersheys.com).