Manager, R&D Popcorn & Kid Snacking Seasons
The Hershey Company
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Office
Location: Hershey • Pennsylvania • United States
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About the role
- Lead creation, development, and optimization of new seasoning blends, flavor profiles, and limited‑time offerings for SkinnyPop, Pirate’s Booty, and any other products that fit into popcorn and kid snacking platform.
- Drive iterative benchtop development, consumer testing, and sensory learning plans to refine direction.
- Translate consumer needs, culinary trends, and category insights into flavor-forward product concepts.
- Ensure formulas meet brand standards for taste, cost, labeling, and nutritional requirements.
- Own flavor technical readiness within the innovation pipeline.
- Manage, coach, and develop a team of 3–4 scientists and technologists.
- Set priorities, oversee workplans, and ensure projects are executed with technical diligence.
- Build internal expertise in seasoning systems, ingredient functionality, and flavor delivery technologies.
- Foster a culture of curiosity, experimentation, speed, and strong technical rigor.
- Lead pilot plant tests and manufacturing scale-ups for new flavors and renovated formulas.
- Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to ensure seamless technical transfer to production.
- Troubleshoot issues related to seasoning application, equipment capability, flavor stability, and sensory variation.
- Support cost optimization, productivity, and quality improvement initiatives for existing products.
- Contribute to the annual flavor roadmap and 1–3 year innovation plans for all brands within the popcorn and kid snacking platform.
- Identify emerging flavor trends, new seasoning technologies, and strategic ingredient partnerships.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Insights to evaluate flavor directions and build consumer‑backed concepts.
- Provide technical input into business cases, timelines, risk assessments, and capital needs.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical/Food Engineering, Culinary Science, or related field required.
- Master’s degree preferred
- 5–10 years of experience in product development, flavor development, or seasoning formulation (salty snacks strongly preferred).
- Prior experience commercializing new products or flavors at scale.
- Experience managing or mentoring technical talent preferred.
Benefits
- Travel up to 15–25% to supplier sites, manufacturing plants, or pilot facilities.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
product developmentflavor developmentseasoning formulationconsumer testingsensory learningtechnical readinesscost optimizationquality improvementingredient functionalityflavor delivery technologies
Soft Skills
leadershipcoachingteam managementproject managementcollaborationcuriosityexperimentationtechnical diligencecommunicationstrategic thinking
Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in Food ScienceBachelor’s degree in Chemical/Food EngineeringBachelor’s degree in Culinary ScienceMaster’s degree in related field