Research Scientist Role at Hershey USA
Are you ready to kickstart your career as a Research Scientist in a globally recognized company? This exciting job opportunity in the USA with Hershey offers an incredible platform for innovation, sensory science, and product quality research. If you’re searching for a Fresher’s Job or a rewarding job opportunity for life science graduates, this role combines cutting-edge research with real-world impact in the food industry. Discover how you can grow with one of the most iconic brands through Hershey Jobs.
About the Company
The Hershey Company is one of the world’s leading chocolate and confectionery brands, known for innovation and quality. Through Hershey Jobs, professionals gain opportunities to work on cutting-edge research, product development, and consumer insights. Hershey is committed to nurturing talent and providing strong job opportunities for life science graduates seeking impactful careers in the USA.
Job Details
- Job Title: Research Scientist – Sensory Quality
- Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
- Requisition Number: 127802
Research Scientist Role Summary
The Research Scientist – Sensory Quality reports to the Senior Manager, Sensory Quality Team and is based at The Hershey Company’s Technical Center. The role involves supporting high-complexity initiatives, leading workstreams within larger projects, and independently managing lower-complexity initiatives with guidance.
Complexity in this role may arise from technical challenges, manufacturing processes, speed to market, project volume, and cross-functional collaboration. Within sensory science, complexity is influenced by learning plans and applied research methodologies such as Drivers of Liking studies, consumer-based specifications, large DOE studies, and multi-method or multi-phase research.
The individual is expected to develop and apply technical expertise in sensory and consumer research, statistics, and data visualization. The role requires strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to communicate technical information effectively across teams and management. The candidate will progressively build influence, collaboration skills, and professional networks within the organization.
Specific Research Scientist Role Focus Area
- Serve as the sensory project leader supporting ingredient and product quality initiatives.
- Contribute to shelf-life determination, commodity screening, strategic sourcing, cost savings projects, alternate supplier approvals, and manufacturing troubleshooting.
- Design, collect, analyse, interpret, and report sensory and consumer data to provide actionable insights and business recommendations.
- Apply analytical sensory methods to meet project objectives.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
The role involves interaction with:
- Product Development
- Continuous Improvement Team
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Quality and Regulatory Compliance
- External Research Suppliers
Travel Requirements
Up to 10% travel, primarily within the United States.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and execute sensory and hedonic testing methods for product quality maintenance, cost improvements, alternate supplier approvals, and shelf-life testing, including data analysis and reporting.
- Support ingredient testing and approvals for salty snack products.
- Implement and manage collaborative studies between the Technical Center, global teams, and suppliers, including data analysis and approvals.
- Assist in overseeing sensory laboratory operations, including scheduling, purchasing, storage, and preparation of references.
- Support plant troubleshooting and development of new methods to enhance departmental capabilities.
Required Skills and Competencies
- Ability to lead projects, including research design, application of appropriate sensory methods, statistical analysis, and reporting to generate business insights.
- Experience with statistical analysis.
- Proficiency in sensory data collection systems such as EyeQuestion (preferred), Compusense, or SIMS.
Preferred / Bonus Skills
- Knowledge of sensory analytical methods such as descriptive analysis, discrimination testing (triangle test, similarity to control, degree of difference).
- Proven ability to collaborate across diverse teams and functions.
- Strong leadership capabilities including conflict management, organization, communication, interpersonal skills, and business acumen.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities with minimal supervision.
- Curiosity and adaptability in applying emerging technologies such as AI-assisted analytics, text generation, and predictive modeling.
Additional preferred qualifications include:
- Experience with statistical software (SAS, JMP, R, SPSS, StatsGraphics, Minitab).
- Knowledge of advanced statistical techniques (conjoint analysis, regression, correlation, factor and cluster analysis, principal component analysis).
- Experience with quantitative and qualitative consumer research methods (CLTs, HUTs, focus groups, ethnography, online surveys).
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, with an emphasis in Sensory and Consumer Research.
- 0–3 years of relevant experience.
- A degree or certification in Sensory and/or Market Research is considered an advantage.
