The Hershey Company - Hershey, PA
posted 4 months ago
The Senior Manager of Salty Product Development will play a pivotal role in managing the product development for Dot's, Hershey's pretzels, and the Private label business within the Salty R&D division. This position is based at the Hershey Technical Center in Hershey, PA, and reports directly to the Salty Division R&D Director. The Senior Manager will lead a team of 4-6 professionals and consultants across various locations, focusing on innovation development and commercialization of products. The role requires a strategic approach to formulation development, ensuring that the programs align with the company's business needs while meeting established timelines and providing progress reports to senior management. In addition to leading product development efforts, the Senior Manager will be responsible for continuous improvement initiatives and providing technical support across the product lines. This includes collaborating with business partners in Consumer Insights, Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Quality to ensure that all projects are executed effectively. The Senior Manager will also be tasked with setting priorities for programs, allocating resources, and resolving any project risks to maintain business alignment. The position demands a strong understanding of product and process development, particularly within the salty snacks category, and the ability to mentor and develop team members to foster high performance and retention. The successful candidate will demonstrate a blend of strategic and tactical thinking, with proven leadership and influencing skills. They will be expected to challenge conventional wisdom and drive change within the organization, leveraging their expertise in food product development and commercialization. The role also requires excellent communication skills, capable of presenting to executive levels, and a willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time, primarily within the US, with occasional international travel.