R&D Production Supervisor — Pilot Plant Leader

The Hershey Company; Hershey (PA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Career development

Job summary

The Hershey Company is seeking a Supervisor, R&D Production in Hershey, PA to coordinate daily pilot plant and development activities supporting product and process innovation. You will lead CPT staff, manage resources, and ensure safe, compliant execution from concept through commercialization.

Ideal candidates have 1–3+ years in related technical roles, GMP knowledge, and strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 1-3+ years in R&D, product development, pilot plant ops, manufacturing, process development, or related technical environment.
• Experience supporting pilot plant, manufacturing, commercialization, or scale-up.
• Ability to coordinate project activities and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.
• Experience scheduling/directing technical support resources or hourly personnel preferred.
• Knowledge of GMP, food safety, sanitation and quality systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee daily pilot plant, lab, and development activities for product/process innovation, optimization, validation, and commercialization.
• Schedule, direct, and prioritize work for CPT employees and technical resources to meet timelines safely and efficiently.
• Lead benchtop, pilot plant, plant trial, start-up, and validation activities, ensuring procedures and specs are met.
• Ensure equipment is prepared, maintained, cleaned, and operational to support development/production.
• Support ingredient management, sample prep, inventory, lot tracking, documentation, and data collection for projects.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, manufacturing teams, and cross-functional stakeholders to plan and troubleshoot and advance projects.
• Identify and solve technical, operational, or scheduling challenges to maintain momentum.
• Maintain GMP, food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety compliance.
• Provide training and day-to-day direction to CPT staff on equipment and procedures.
• Support continuous improvement to enhance efficiency, reliability, and equipment utilization.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biological Sciences, or related field

Job description

The Hershey Company is seeking a Supervisor, R&D Production in Hershey, PA to coordinate daily pilot plant and development activities supporting product and process innovation. You will lead CPT staff, manage resources, and ensure safe, compliant execution from concept through commercialization.

Ideal candidates have 1–3+ years in related technical roles, GMP knowledge, and strong problem-solving and communication skills.