Manager, R&D Salty Process Development & CI

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Salty R&D and locating at Hershey Tech Center, the Manager, Process Development and CI is responsible for managing process development excellence and delivering productivity to meet CI target across all Salty Snacks portfolio. This role will lead efforts to understand process fundamental for popcorn popping, single- and possibly twin-screw snack extrusions, and baking science.

This position will lead a team of 3 professional level staff and provide leadership to the Salty R&D Process Development and CI team to advance strategic initiatives. The Manager will determine the strategic direction for key process development strategies for innovation programs and will work closely with the product development team, business partners in Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality to ensure that the programs meet the Company's business needs. This role is responsible to assure timelines are met and provide ongoing progress reports the Director of Salty R&D. Additionally, for CI initiatives, the Manager will provide guidance on ingredient, formulation, and processing strategies to deliver savings to meet CI target.

The Manager Process Development and CI will set priorities for program and allocate resources to support/lead projects. This position will work with direct reports to determine goals and timetables for projects, and ensure diligence in development, scale-up and commercialization of products and technologies. This role will provide technical expertise leveraging product and process development principles and validation methodologies and will resolve resource allocation and timing issues to ensure that business objectives are achieved or exceeded.

The ability to operate with a high level of autonomy across all programs and projects is expected. To be successful, the Manager must be a proven problem solver and critical thinker, which results in problem resolution. They will consistently demonstrate, apply, document, and disseminate technical knowledge to different audiences at different levels of the organization. The person in this role must be able to leverage internal and external networks as appropriate to deliver solutions.

Specific Role Focus Area:

* Process development leadership from concept to commercialization, partnering with Product Developer, Marketing, and suppliers to bring concepts to life on communicated timelines.

* Lead Process development of next generation novel and filled pretzel, popcorn, and puffs platforms

* Lead CI initiatives and ensure key stakeholders are informed and aligned

* Support the holistic design of Salty pilot plant from safety, staffing, equipment, and layout

* Actively explore novel technologies and ingredients through interactions with vendors, suppliers, and attendance of tradeshows

* Identify, design, conduct, and document research on salty snack products and technologies

* Analyze data to provide actionable conclusions and present findings to stakeholders.

* Mentoring junior scientists within Salty R&D and providing technical guidance to Manufacturing

* Interfacing with suppliers and industry professionals.

This role will interact and partner with:

* R&D Team Members

* Manufacturing and Engineering

* QRC

* Project Management

* Commercial and Innovation Marketing

* Private Label Sales and Co-man customers

This role will require up to 25% domestic travel.

Summary of major duties:

People management and Organization health

Project leadership

Personal and Technical development

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

* Proven track record of applying scientific, engineering principals and internal processes to successful launch new products to the market and/or product improvements on existing products.

* Proven people management track record for both career to technical developments

* Ability to collaborate across departments and leverage external consultants and vendors to deliver on project timelines.

* Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate across and within functions that represent diverse viewpoints.

* Ability to prioritize and multi-task with very limited supervision successfully managing simultaneous projects.

* Leadership skills/behaviors: business acumen, conflict management, and excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.

* Experience working with external partners: consultants, vendors, co-man customers.

* Competency with typical salty snacks analytical techniques, sensory and customer testing methods, and scale-up considerations.

* Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and ability to learn new platforms as needed.

* Ability to occasionally work outside of typical work hours (nights/weekends) to support project work

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Education and Experience: BS, MS, or PhD in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or related with 7+ years of experience. Experience with baked snacks formulation and processing is a plus.

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