Fried Snack Scientist: Chips & Kid Snacking Innovator

The Hershey Company; Hershey (PA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellbeing: Medical, dental, &

Financial Security: Competitive pay &

Time Off & Flexibility: PTO & holidays

Growth & Development: Training &mob

Job summary

The Hershey Company is seeking a Staff Scientist for Popcorn & Kid Snacking in Hershey, PA. You will lead product and process development across tortilla, potato, and other fried snack platforms, acting as a technical expert to shape the long-term category roadmap.

You will collaborate with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, and Consumer Insights, mentoring junior teams and driving manufacturing excellence. 15–30% travel expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in food science, food engineering, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Strong experience in fried snacks (tortilla chips, potato chips, extruded snacks or related).
• Proven ability to lead technical projects independently and commercialization.
• Experience designing and executing pilot plant and manufacturing trials.
• Knowledge of DOE, statistical analysis, and sensory evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex product and process development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Serve as the technical expert in fried snack technologies including tortilla chips and potato chips.
• Design and execute laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing trials with sound experimental design.
• Identify and troubleshoot manufacturing challenges relating to frying, masa processing, and shelf-life performance.
• Drive process optimization through frying science, heat transfer, oil management, and moisture control.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, and Consumer Insights.
• Provide mentorship to junior scientists and development teams.
• Support capability-building initiatives to strengthen the snack innovation pipeline.
• Travel approximately 15–30% for plant trials and supplier visits.

Skills

Fried snacks expertise

DOE

Statistical analysis

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s in Food Science/Engineering

Master’s in Food Science/Engineering

PhD in Food Science/Engineering

Job description

The Hershey Company is seeking a Staff Scientist for Popcorn & Kid Snacking in Hershey, PA. You will lead product and process development across tortilla, potato, and other fried snack platforms, acting as a technical expert to shape the long-term category roadmap.

You will collaborate with R&D, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, and Consumer Insights, mentoring junior teams and driving manufacturing excellence. 15–30% travel expected.