Technician R&D

Job Location: Hershey, PA

Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Packaging Engineer R&D and working at The Hershey Company's Technical Center, the position will work with multiple scientists and engineers within the Chocolate R&D team to achieve company innovation goals and programs. The individual will perform basic tasks and follow standard work methods or specific instructions required to support product development and packaging. The individual must also be competent with data entry, basic calculations and conversions, computer applications, Microsoft Office, and be willing to support production start-ups and manufacturing. A successful candidate is expected to be dependable, proactive, have initiative, and a desire for development growth, as well as have excellent communication skills.

Specific Role Focus Area:

* Work with multiple scientists and engineers within the Chocolate R&D team to achieve company goals

* Perform basic tasks and follow standard work methods or specific instructions required to support product development

* Must be competent in data entry, basic calculations, unit conversions, and computer applications

* Complete product development tasks at Benchtop and pilot plant scale

* Assist and/or lead in equipment assembly and preparation

* Support in-plant initiatives such as trials, sales sample production, and start-ups

* Identify project support needs

* Partner with project leaders and Associate Packaging Engineer on planning and execution

* Work independently and proactively

* Have excellent communication skills

* Basic mechanical skills

* Basic electrical skills

* Self-learner

* Safety awareness of self and others

* Packaging inventory attentiveness

* Willingness to be part of the EHS team

* Ability to lift the maximum of fifty (50) pounds and prepare product for testing

* Ability to learn and apply new skills quickly

* Good time-management and organization skills to manage multiple projects

This role will interact and partner with:

* Scientists

* Engineers

* Pilot plant operations

* Part Time / Temporary Workforce

Must have a valid US state issued driver's license.

Must be willing to travel up to 10% of the time. This is primarily a dayshift job, but some off shifts and OT may be required.

Summary of major duties:

Project support: Set up and operate various packaging experimental testing or processing equipment in the laboratory to prepare and package products, and record and tabulate data. Assist with pilot plant scale-up testing by preparing ingredients, packaging materials, and processing equipment, assisting with the equipment operation, collecting and tabulating data, and posttest cleanup. Assist with the preparation of printed packaging goods. Participate in project kick off meetings and planning sessions.

Project leadership: With minimal supervision, leads small projects or segments of larger projects. Manages timelines and deliverables, plans and executes experiments with autonomy, oversees temporary labor deliverables and coordination, manages communication of status and results to the team and supervisors.

Lab maintenance: Responsible for organization, cleanliness, and sanitation of team laboratory workspaces. Maintain inventory of packaging supplies. Maintain regulatory compliance through entry of packaging information in the lot tracking database. Work within the Tech Center Traceability system to schedule equipment and packaging activities in the Pilot Plant.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Education and Experience: Minimum requirement: GED or High School Diploma required with 0-2 years related experience; Preferred: Bachelor's degree or technical associates degree with 0-2 years related experience.

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