Senior Process Development Engineer Salty

The Hershey Company - Hershey, PA

Full-time - Mid Level

Hershey, PA

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Senior Process Development Engineer position at Hershey's Technology Center in Hershey, PA, is a pivotal role within the Salty Division, reporting directly to the R&D Manager. This position is focused on leading product development projects specifically within Hershey's salty snack portfolio. The successful candidate will be expected to operate with medium to high autonomy across various initiatives, demonstrating a strong ability to apply and disseminate technical knowledge and expertise effectively. A critical aspect of this role is the ability to solve problems and think critically, which will lead to effective problem resolution and process improvements. The candidate must possess excellent communication skills, capable of conveying complex technical information to diverse audiences at different organizational levels. Additionally, the role requires the ability to influence stakeholders and leverage professional networks to provide innovative solutions. In this role, the engineer will assist in the development and validation of new process technologies that align with R&D and broader business objectives. This includes testing ideas through experimental design, collecting and analyzing data using analytical process tools, and providing actionable recommendations. The engineer will leverage hands-on skills to operate laboratory and pilot plant equipment, including assembly, preparation, and operation of such equipment. The role also involves troubleshooting technical issues with a structured problem-solving approach and collaborating with cross-functional partners throughout the product development process, from benchtop experiments to pilot and commercial scale. The Senior Process Development Engineer will lead in-plant initiatives, including processing trials, factory acceptance tests, and new product start-ups. They will be responsible for presenting project results in both written and oral formats and transferring knowledge to various teams, including Product Development, Continuous Improvement, Commercialization, and Operations. The ability to work effectively in both team settings and independently in a fast-paced environment is essential for success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Support and lead process development workstreams in partnership with R&D to meet pipeline process needs.
• Champion assigned projects through Hershey's processes to ensure successful outcomes.
• Create process specifications and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to facilitate successful commercialization.
• Test ideas through experimental design, collecting and analyzing data using analytical process tools to provide recommendations.
• Support innovation and lead cross-functional teams in the development of new processes or technologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional groups to ideate, identify, develop solutions, and commercialize new technologies.
• Actively seek new technologies and process improvement or Continuous Improvement (CI) opportunities.
• Conduct research, design experiments, analyze data, and prepare reports and presentations of significant results to drive business decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or a related engineering field with 6-8 years of experience, or a Master's/PhD in Food Engineering or a related field with 2-4 years of experience.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), analytical techniques, research methodology, and experimentation.
• Comfortable operating laboratory and pilot plant equipment with hands-on skills.
• Understanding of food analytical techniques and key processing methods for popcorn, expanded snacks, and pretzels.
• Strong technical writing skills, with experience in SOPs, research methodology, and design of experiments.
• Excellent mathematical and statistical skills.
• Experience working in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• General understanding of sanitary design and construction practices.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate across regions, departments, and all levels of the organization.
• Good computer skills, including basic knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and MS Teams.
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in Salty Snacks process development is preferred.
• Prior research project work or internships in relevant fields.