Mgr Technical Product Development & Optimization

Mgr Technical Product Development & Optimization

At The Hershey Company, our culture is rooted in purpose and inspired by Milton Hershey's enduring vision that business should create opportunity for others. Through our commitment to corporate philanthropy, we create positive impact by supporting communities, helping children thrive, and operating as a business for good. This includes our deep and long standing partnership with Milton Hershey School, where we invest in education, workforce readiness, and hands on engagement to help students succeed beyond the classroom.

Supported by strategic grantmaking, product donations, cross brand collaboration, and strong employee volunteerism, Hershey offers a place to work where making a difference—locally and globally—is part of how we do business every day.

The Manager, Protein Product Development leads the Protein Product Development team within Protein & Functional Snacking R&D, driving technical development and optimization across Hershey's growing protein portfolio. This role translates consumer insights, business priorities, and market trends into technical strategies that deliver safe, compliant, manufacturable, and consumer-loved products. As a people leader, you will guide innovation from concept through commercialization while building team capability and advancing Hershey's protein platform across formats including bars and powders.

Minimum Education & Requirements:

Minimum Requirements

Experience:

Bachelor's degree Minimum 5+ years of progressive product development experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods R&D preferred. Proven experience leading technical programs and influencing cross-functional teams. Demonstrated people leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, and developing scientists and technical support staff. Experience commercializing products from benchtop development through pilot plant and full-scale manufacturing. Strong understanding of food safety, regulatory, and labeling requirements.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or a related technical discipline required. Master's degree or other advanced degree preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong expertise in protein-based product development, including protein ingredient functionality, texture optimization, shelf-life performance, and sensory quality. Experience across multiple protein formats, including bars and powders. Advanced experimental design, analytical problem solving, and data-driven decision-making skills. Experience managing external partners, co-manufacturers, and ingredient suppliers. Familiarity with stage-gate innovation processes and project management systems. Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences and senior leadership.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.