Sr Research Scientist, Popcorn & Kid Snack

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and development of new seasoning blends, flavor systems, and product concepts for SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty, and LesserEvil.
• Apply advanced understanding of flavor chemistry, ingredient interactions, processing effects, and delivery mechanisms to optimize taste and aroma.
• Conduct hands-on benchtop work, prototype creation, seasoning blending, and feasibility testing.
• Translate consumer insights and culinary trends into differentiated flavor solutions.
• Own the technical strategy for flavor development.
• Sensory, Consumer Learning & Data-Driven Optimization
• Partner with Sensory & Consumer Insights to design sensory tests, consumer validation, preference mapping, and flavor optimization plans.
• Interpret sensory, analytical, and consumer data to refine formulations and guide decision-making.
• Lead technical integration of sensory learnings into product design and development standards.
• Process Scale up and Improvement
• Support pilot plant trials and manufacturing scale-up for new seasoning systems and flavor launches.
• Develop seasoning application parameters and troubleshoot issues related to adhesion, flavor intensity, stability, and batch-to-batch consistency.
• Collaboration & Project Support
• Serve as technical lead on cross-functional innovation teams, providing input on timeline, feasibility, risk, and resourcing.
• Partner with Marketing on innovation briefs, claims feasibility, and strategic flavor direction.
• Contribute technical recommendations that balance consumer delight, cost constraints, and operational feasibility.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to ensure robust technical transfer to production.

Requirements

• Minimum experience, skills, and education requirements:
• Technical Skills
• Knowledge of savory flavor chemistry, seasoning blends, carrier systems, ingredient functionality, and flavor delivery technologies.
• Understanding of salty snack processing (nice to have) and its influence on flavor performance (e.g., popcorn, puffed/expanded snacks).
• Strong skills in sensory analysis, consumer evaluation methods, data interpretation, and iterative product optimization.
• Experience designing and running pilot-scale seasoning application trials.
• Working knowledge of food safety, labeling, regulatory requirements, and quality systems.
• Leadership & Collaboration
• Proven ability to independently lead technical projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Strong influencing skills with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Insights, Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
• Excellent communication skills—able to translate technical detail for non-technical partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Mindsets & Behaviors
• Creative, curious, and motivated by developing breakthrough flavor experiences.
• Strong analytical thinker with rigorous documentation and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable managing multiple parallel projects with shifting priorities.
• Collaborative, proactive, and adaptable.
• Education and Experience:
• BS degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related field with 3-7 years’ experience, MS in Food Science or related field with 2-4 years’ experience.
• Ability to work in lab, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments.
• Occasional travel (10–20%) to plants, suppliers, or pilot facilities.
• Ability to lift materials and equipment (up to ~25 lbs) as needed for lab or pilot work.

Qualifications

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Proven ability to independently lead technical projects of moderate to high complexity.
• Strong influencing skills with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Insights, Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
• Excellent communication skills—able to translate technical detail for non-technical partners.
• Strong analytical thinker with rigorous documentation and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable managing multiple parallel projects with shifting priorities.
• Collaborative, proactive, and adaptable mindset.

Skills

• Knowledge of savory flavor chemistry, seasoning blends, carrier systems, ingredient functionality, and flavor delivery technologies.
• Understanding of salty snack processing (nice to have) and its influence on flavor performance (e.g., popcorn, puffed/expanded snacks).
• Strong skills in sensory analysis, consumer evaluation methods, data interpretation, and iterative product optimization.
• Experience designing and running pilot-scale seasoning application trials.
• Working knowledge of food safety, labeling, regulatory requirements, and quality systems.

Benefits

• The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.

Pay

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

• Full-time position.