Staff Process CI Engineer
About The Position
As a Staff Process CI Engineer within Enterprise Continuous Improvement, you will advance Hershey's multi-year improvement plan by identifying, developing, and implementing product and process optimization opportunities across its manufacturing network. You will lead or support complex initiatives across the Global Confectionery and Salty Business Units, improving cost, capacity, quality, safety, and supply continuity. The role manages work from concept through sustainable plant handoff and partners with plant teams, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders. Projects may include technical design, testing, scale-up, installation, startup, commissioning, training, and performance stabilization. The position is based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, preferred, with remote work also open, and requires up to 70% travel.
Requirements
- 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.
- 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 certification required.
- 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.
- Ability to travel up to 70%.
- Ability to work in manufacturing environments with regulated food allergens while following food-safety and site requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Confectionery experience.
- Manufacturing plant experience.
- Six Sigma Black Belt.
Responsibilities
- 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 to sustain improvements.
- 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.
- Mentor technicians and professionals assigned to projects.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage beginning on Day 1.
- Wellness programs supporting physical and mental health.
- Competitive pay.
- Annual incentive opportunities.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Paid time off.
- Company holidays.
- Flexible ways of working where applicable.
- Career development programs.
- Learning opportunities.
- Internal mobility.
- Performance-based incentives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
