Job Title: Research Scientist
Location: Hershey, PA
Schedule: 7:00/8:00 AM – 4:00/5:00 PM
Duration: 12 months
This role will require 25-40% domestic and potential international travel.

Overview: The Research Scientist position is assisting on high complexity initiatives, leading workstreams within larger initiatives, and/or leading low complexity initiatives. A low to medium level of autonomy is required depending upon the workstream. A successful candidate is learning how to demonstrate and apply technical knowledge while developing and sharing technical expertise within the functional area and cross functionally within the organization. This candidate is learning problem solving skills & the ability to think critically. This candidate is learning to communicate technical subject matter cross functionally and with management. This candidate is learning how to influence cross functional team members and how to build personal networks.

Responsibilities: 

• Lead product development projects which provide innovative new products in the Chocolate space. These areas include formulation development, ingredient development and product transformation interactions.
• Perform prototyping and development from bench top to pilot plant to full manufacturing scale.  Interact closely with a cross functional group of technical, professional, and managerial staff of R&D, as well as production, engineering, and marketing.
• Understand the business and financial impact of the projects.
• Apply technical rigor and scientific principles and practices.
• Provide input for technical feasibility for new product concepts.
• Partner with Supply Chain to provide technical support to drive quality and value improvement in products and process
• Lead ingredient shortage mitigation workstreams to minimize supply chain impacts to the business. This role will interact and partner with: · Marketing · Manufacturing · Engineering · Quality and Regulatory · Project Management · Technology Development

Workload:

Project Leadership (90%)

• Lead product development initiatives focused on innovative chocolate products.
• Support formulation development, ingredient optimization, and product transformation interactions.
• Perform prototyping from bench-top scale through pilot plant and full manufacturing scale-up.
• Conduct chocolate sample preparation and analytical testing.
• Coordinate pilot plant runs and product trials.
• Perform competitive product assessments, including sourcing and analyzing samples.
• Evaluate technical feasibility of new product concepts.
• Apply scientific principles and technical rigor to development processes.
• Manage timelines, priorities, and multiple stakeholders across projects.

Product & Process Improvement (10%)

• Support quality, cost savings, and value improvement programs.
• Partner with Supply Chain to resolve ingredient shortages and minimize business disruption.
• Assist with process optimization and commercialization activities.

Skills:

• Experience leading innovation initiatives, which could include product development, quality improvement, cost improvement, technology validation and process optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new technical knowledge and apply it during development and commercialization processes. Specific technical knowledge in chocolate is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in learning and applying process platforms.
• Knowledge of various technical disciplines (Sensory, Research, Engineering and Packaging)
• Demonstrated Influencing skills.
• Proven administrative ability, decision-making skills, financial understanding, business integration skills, and technical expertise.
• Demonstrated problem solving and evaluation capabilities.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be open to and comfortable with change.
• The candidate much be able to work independently, and as part of a team in a fast-paced, growth-oriented business.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Education and Experience: BS in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Food Process Engineering, Bio Engineering or similar with 2-4 years of applicable experience.
• Experience in Chocolate Production and/or Innovation, and experience in a CPG environment is a plus
• Must Haves (i.e., years of experience?) 1-3 years of experience
• Software Skills and Purpose (if applicable): Microsoft Office
• Industry Experience: CPG, Chocolate, Labs, etc.

 
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 38.00/daily.