Sr Research Scientist Sensory Innovation

About the job

Why Hershey:

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.

Location: Hershey, PA (Onsite)

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company is an industry-leading snacks company known for making more moments of goodness through its iconic brands. With a strong portfolio across chocolate, confectionery, and salty snacks, Hershey delights consumers every day. Our beloved brands include Hershey’s, Reese’s, KitKat®, Dots Pretzels, Lesser Evil, Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, and more.

At Hershey, we are committed to making a meaningful difference in the communities where we live, work, and do business. This commitment originated with our founder, Milton Hershey, and continues to shape who we are today.

Guided by our employee value proposition, Lead Today. Create Tomorrow, we empower our people to drive impact now while shaping what comes next. Our One Hershey mindset brings teams together across functions, geographies, and businesses, enabling us to operate with speed, collaboration, and shared purpose.

The Hershey Company is proud to be recognized as a top employer in the United States, reflecting our commitment to our people, culture, and purpose.

How will you fit in the big picture?

As a Sr Research Scientist, Sensory Innovation, you will serve as the sensory liaison to assigned brands, primarily supporting new product innovation. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Sensory Innovation, this role partners across Sensory & Product Insights, R&D and cross-functional teams to shape learning agendas, guide research strategies, and turn sensory and consumer data into clear, actionable recommendations.

What will you do?

• Independently and collaboratively design, collect, analyze, interpret, and report sensory and consumer research, delivering actionable recommendations.

• Lead research primarily for innovation, while also supporting product improvements and margin enhancement initiatives for existing products.

• Apply analytical sensory methods strategically alongside consumer testing to ensure project objectives are met.

• Serve as a technical thought partner to cross-functional teams, helping shape learning agendas and research strategies.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of new or improved sensory and consumer research capabilities that expand the department’s toolbox.

• Build effective partnerships with cross-functional teams and internal stakeholders.

Minimum Education & Requirements

Education/Experience: At least 3 years of relevant experience. Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Food Science, Psychology, Statistics, or a related technical discipline with an emphasis in Sensory and Consumer Research

• Experience should include research design, advanced statistical analysis, and communication of complex findings.

• Proficiency with statistical analysis or programming software such as JMP, R, SPSS, SAS, Minitab, or similar is required.

• Experience with sensory data collection systems such as EyeQuestion, Compusense, or RedJade is preferred.

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.

The anticipated base salary range for this role is $95,280 to $119,100 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. You can request an accommodation via phone or email.To request an accommodation via phone, please call +1 877-804-1794 and leave a voicemail with your contact information.  You may also email a request for accommodation to ApplicationHelp@hersheys.com. Please be sure to include “Accommodation Needed” in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.

#LI-KR1

#LI-Hybrid