Senior Manager, Sweets Product Development

Job Location: Hershey, PA

 

Summary:  

Responsible for managing Hershey consumer led project platforms for S&R Product Development within R&D.  Lead efforts which will include focus on transformative Sweets & Refreshment innovation and commercialization. Additional responsibilities include continuous improvement, business continuity, and other supply chain support programs

 

Lead a team composed of 8 - 10 professional level staff and consultants as needed for various projects.   Determine strategic direction for key formulation development strategies for innovation programs. Work closely with business partners in Consumer Insights, Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering and Quality to ensure that the programs meet the Company’s business needs. Assure timelines are met and provide ongoing progress reports to senior management. Manage, communicate, and resolve project risks to gain business alignment.

 

Set priorities for program and allocate resources for projects. Work with direct reports to determine goals and timetables for projects, and ensure diligence in development, scale up and commercialization of products and technologies. Provide technical expertise leveraging product and process development principles and validation methodologies   Resolve resource allocation and timing issues to ensure that business objectives are achieved or exceeded.

 

Summary of major duties:
Develop and Execute Transformative Sweets & Refreshment Innovation:  
Work with business partners in Consumer Insights, Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering and Quality to develop strategic direction and ensure that Company’s business needs are met.  Allocate resources between programs and work with team leaders of the programs to set priorities, goals, and timetables for projects, and deliver on required results. Ensure diligence in development, scale up and commercialization of products and technologies.
Develop and Execute Reese Brand Technical Support and CI Initiatives:
As needed, work with business partners to allocate resources, set priorities, goals and timetables for Business Continuity and Cost Improvement related projects, and deliver on required results. Ensure diligence in development, scale up and commercialization of products, manufacturing strategies, and technologies.
Talent & Organizational Development:
Provide overall leadership as it relates to organization structure and people development.  Attract, lead, manage, and mentor employees in such a way to ensure retention, development, and high performance of talent.

 

Dimensions:  
Lead a team composed of 8 - 10 professional level staff and technicians, and potentially 1-2 additional temporary contractors, interns and/or consultants as needed for various projects. 

 

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:  
 •Demonstrated Management, Leadership, and Influencing Skills, Strategic as well as tactical thinker.
• Demonstrated knowledge, expertise, and experience in new product Innovation including ability to scale and validate product and process technologies for confection applications.
• Experienced in Sweets technologies such as licorice, gummies, hard candy, and panning.
• Change Agent: The ability and drive to challenge conventional wisdom.
• Proven administrative ability, decision-making skills, financial understanding, business integration skills and technical expertise.
• Advanced problem solving and evaluation capabilities.
• Strength in Food Product Development and Commercialization.
• Collaborative skills allowing effective interactions with Marketing teams, Consumer Insights, Sensory Evaluation, Operations and Manufacturing Teams, Quality and Regulatory Compliance Teams and Senior Management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills capable of presentations to executive levels.
• Approximately 25% travel required, primarily within the US, but including occasional international travel.

 

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:  
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical, Food, or Biochemical Engineering or equivalent Scientific Discipline plus 15+ years of applicable work experience, or master’s degree plus 10+ years of applicable work experience. 

Experience:    
• Has successfully led New Product Development and innovation programs within a company known for best-in-class innovation and NPD processes.
• Strong knowledge of confection platforms, technologies, and formulation strategies.
• Proven history in developing and commercializing confections and/or snacks.  Including pil