Associate Manager R&D, US CMG Reese

The Hershey Company

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Reese Research & Development, the Associate Manager R&D, US CMG Reese will play a critical role in driving innovation across Hershey's chocolate portfolio. This position combines people leadership with technical product development, spending approximately 40% of time leading organizational initiatives and talent development and 60% of time leading medium-complexity product development projects.

You will help bring innovative products to life by partnering across Marketing, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality & Regulatory, Project Management, Technology Development, and Supply Chain. This role offers the opportunity to influence strategic initiatives, develop technical talent, and shape the future of Reese's and other chocolate innovations.

What will you do?

Talent & Organizational Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of 2-5 Research Technicians and/or Assistants, fostering engagement, capability building, and high performance.
• Provide leadership on organizational priorities, project execution, talent planning, and employee development.
• Identify and drive organizational and strategic improvement opportunities through stakeholder engagement, change management, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead product development projects focused on innovative chocolate and confectionery products.
• Drive formulation development, ingredient innovation, and product transformation initiatives from concept through commercialization.
• Conduct prototyping and scale-up activities from benchtop development through pilot plant and full-scale manufacturing.
• Apply scientific principles and technical rigor to solve complex product and process challenges.
• Assess technical feasibility and provide recommendations for new product concepts.
• Partner with Supply Chain to support quality improvements, value engineering efforts, and process optimization activities.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deliver successful business outcomes and consumer-focused innovation.

Additional Information

• Approximately 30% travel, primarily within the United States, with occasional international travel.
• Opportunity to influence key stakeholders and contribute to strategic growth initiatives across the Reese business.

Benefits and Perks

At Hershey, we offer competitive pay and a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your wellbeing, financial security, and life outside of work.

• Health & Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus wellness programs that support your physical and mental health
• Financial Security: Competitive pay, annual incentive opportunities, and a 401(k) with company match
• Time Off & Flexibility: Paid time off, company holidays, and flexible ways of working where applicable
• Growth & Development: Career development programs, learning opportunities, and internal mobility

Benefits may vary based on role, location, and eligibility.

Minimum Education & Requirements

Experience

• 3+ years of relevant experience in food product development, formulation, process development, or a related technical field for an Associate Manager level role.
• Experience leading innovation initiatives such as product development, quality improvement, cost optimization, technology validation, or process improvement.
• Demonstrated knowledge of confectionery and chocolate formulation and recipe development.
• Experience with chocolate and confectionery processing platforms including molding, enrobing, and panning.
• Preferred experience with snacking platforms such as cookies, crackers, granola bars, or related products.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive results through cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience mentoring or leading technical talent, interns, co-ops, technicians, or project teams preferred.
• Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, communication, and decision-making skills.

Education

• PhD in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or a related technical discipline with 2-4 years of relevant experience; OR

• MS degree with 4-6 years of relevant experience; OR

• BS degree with 6-8 years of relevant experience.

• The anticipated base salary range for this role is $100,400 to $125,500 per year. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of job‑related factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skill set, education, and training. In addition to a market-competitive base salary, our Total Rewards package includes performance‑based incentives and a comprehensive, competitive benefits package designed to support overall physical, mental, and financial well‑being (as applicable). Learn more about Hershey’s benefits and all the resources Hershey provides to support our employees’ physical, emotional, and financial well‑being by visiting the Hershey Digital Employee Experience at www.askHRbenefits.hersheys.com

• 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.

• The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans. You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability.