Staff Scientist Popcorn & Kid Snacking

About the role

The Staff Scientist, R&D – Fried Snacks leads complex product and process development initiatives across tortilla chips, potato chips, and other fried salty snack platforms. This role serves as an advanced technical expert in dough systems, masa processing, potato processing, extrusion for expanded snacks, frying systems, oil chemistry, seasoning application, and shelf-life performance.

Responsibilities

• Designs and leads experiments to develop new products and processes.
• Collaborates with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, Consumer Insights, and Sensory to deliver innovation, renovation, and productivity projects.
• Works independently to identify and solve manufacturing challenges and drive long-term capability development.
• Mentors junior scientists while advancing Hershey’s salty snack technology roadmap.

Requirements

• Deep hands-on expertise in fried snacks, strong cross-functional influence, and the ability to mentor junior scientists.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional technical programs independently.
• Strong communication skills in both technical documentation and cross-functional presentations.
• Experience mentoring junior staff is strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or related field with 7-10+ years of experience, preferably including tortilla chips, potato chips, fried snacks, or related categories.
• Strong track record of successful commercialization from benchtop through plant start-up.
• Experience designing and executing pilot and plant trials required.
• Experience with sensory evaluation and consumer learning preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical problem solving in manufacturing environments.

Skills

• Deep understanding of fried snack processing, including tortilla chips, potato chips, and additional fried snacks.
• Expertise in frying science, including heat transfer, moisture loss, oil degradation, filtration, turnover, oxidation, and acrylamide control.
• Proficiency in seasoning adhesion, application systems, and flavor delivery for fried snacks.
• Experience with statistical analysis, DOE design, and process optimization.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory, food safety, and quality practices relevant to frying operations.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

Not specified.

Schedule

Not specified.

Additional Information

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 ApplicationHelp@hersheys.com. 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.