[Hiring] Staff Process CI Engineer @The Hershey Company

Role Description

As a Staff Process CI Engineer within Enterprise Continuous Improvement, you will help advance Hershey's multi-year improvement plan by identifying, developing, and implementing product and process optimization opportunities across the manufacturing network. You will lead or support complex initiatives spanning Hershey's Global Confectionery and Salty Business Units, improving cost, capacity, quality, safety, and supply continuity. This role manages work from concept through sustainable plant handoff and partners with plant teams, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders.

What will you do?

• Lead complex product and process optimization projects, from opportunity identification and technical design through installation, startup, commissioning, training, and performance stabilization.
• Apply food science, confectionery manufacturing knowledge, process engineering, and structured problem solving to recipe, ingredient, equipment, and process improvements.
• Plan and execute proof-of-principle tests, bench and pilot work, scale-up, manufacturing trials, sensory testing, and product-sample generation.
• Develop specifications, formulations, project scope, schedules, cost estimates, process-flow diagrams, and piping and instrumentation diagrams.
• Evaluate technical and financial feasibility, interpret results, manage risks and resources, and recommend whether projects should proceed, change, or stop.
• Coordinate supplier evaluation, installation, validation, documentation, training, and transition to plant operating teams so improvements are sustained.
• Lead focused-improvement and root-cause problem-solving efforts using Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, and practical engineering judgment.
• Collaborate with R&D, Engineering, Finance, Quality and Regulatory Compliance, Manufacturing, and Marketing, while mentoring technicians and professionals assigned to projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Food, Chemical, Mechanical, or Biological Engineering, or another relevant technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in food science, engineering, or a related field. Confectionery and manufacturing plant experience are strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in process engineering, process design, project management, troubleshooting, optimization, manufacturing validation, and implementation.
• Knowledge of food-manufacturing systems, unit operations, sanitary design, process piping, valves, automation, instrumentation, quality assurance, and Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Six Sigma Green Belt required; Six Sigma Black Belt preferred. Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing and TPM.
• Strong project planning, prioritization, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills; ability to work independently in a flexible environment with changing priorities.
• Ability to support unusual or extended work hours when project delivery requires it, travel up to 70%, and work in manufacturing environments with regulated food allergens while following all food-safety and site requirements.

Benefits

• Health & Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus wellness programs that support your physical and mental health begin on Day 1.
• 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.