R&D Associate Manager — Chocolate Innovation Lead

Hershey Company; Hershey (PA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellbeing

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Career development

Job summary

The Hershey Company is seeking an Associate Manager R&D, US CMG Reese, to lead a small team and drive innovation in chocolate and confectionery products. You will balance organizational leadership with hands-on product development, shaping projects from ideation through commercialization.

You will partner with Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to deliver consumer-focused innovations, mentor talent, and influence strategic growth across Reese's portfolio.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience in food product development, formulation, process development, or a related technical field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of confectionery and chocolate formulation and recipe development.
• Experience leading innovation initiatives and mentoring or leading technical talent.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of 2-5 Research Technicians and/or Assistants to drive engagement and high performance.
• Guide organizational priorities, project execution, talent planning, and employee development.
• Drive product development from concept through commercialization with a focus on chocolate and confectionery.
• Collaborate across Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality & Regulatory, Project Management, Technology Development, and Supply Chain.
• Provide technical feasibility assessments and recommendations for new concepts.

Job description

The Hershey Company is seeking an Associate Manager R&D, US CMG Reese, to lead a small team and drive innovation in chocolate and confectionery products. You will balance organizational leadership with hands-on product development, shaping projects from ideation through commercialization.

You will partner with Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to deliver consumer-focused innovations, mentor talent, and influence strategic growth across Reese's portfolio.