What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Assistant position at The Hershey Company?
Job Location: Hershey, PA
Summary:
Reporting to the Senior Manager of Product Quality, Sensory & Product Insights and working at The Hershey Company’s Technical Center and/or the Sensory Lab at 19 East, the Sensory Research Assistant will support project execution for the sensory department.
Specific Role Focus Area:
Prepare and execute sensory testing, includes sample prep, test execution (TC or 19E facilities), etc.
Maintain Sensory lab and storage areas including management of equipment, test samples, misc. grocery shopping for panel treats and references, supply inventory, shipping of samples or references, etc.
Support new panelist training, employee and external supplier training: sample preparation, packing, shipping (as needed)
Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:
Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED
Minimum 1-2 years of laboratory experience working in food CPG or food service
Bonus:
Summary:
Reporting to the Senior Manager of Product Quality, Sensory & Product Insights and working at The Hershey Company’s Technical Center and/or the Sensory Lab at 19 East, the Sensory Research Assistant will support project execution for the sensory department.
Specific Role Focus Area:
- Sample preparation, ballot programming and execution of Employee Testing and/or Professional Panel projects at the Tech Center and 19 East
- Discrimination Testing (i.e. 2 of 5, Paired Comparison, Duo-Trio, Triangle, etc.)
- Employee Acceptability Testing (i.e. Innovation and shelf life)
- Descriptive Analysis/Consensus Profiling/Progressive Profiling
- Support to packaging, liquor, chocolate, butters and other misc. routine approval testing as needed
- Schedule projects and maintain testing calendar to ensure project deadlines are met
- Maintenance of project sample inventory: sample receipt, storage, and tracking for sensory projects, move samples among temperature storage conditions as per department guidelines
- Maintenance of Tech Center and 19E Sensory Laboratory (including supplies and equipment) and storage areas (incl. pantry, coolers, chambers, and freezers)
- Maintenance of testing supplies and incentives/snacks; conduct necessary grocery shopping (online and in-store)
- Support to SPI Consumer test sample preparation and shipping to test sites
- Sensory professionals (technicians, professional panelists and project leaders)
- Functions within the Tech Center such as Product Development, Lab Ops, Facilities
- Employees at corporate 19E facility
Prepare and execute sensory testing, includes sample prep, test execution (TC or 19E facilities), etc.
Maintain Sensory lab and storage areas including management of equipment, test samples, misc. grocery shopping for panel treats and references, supply inventory, shipping of samples or references, etc.
Support new panelist training, employee and external supplier training: sample preparation, packing, shipping (as needed)
Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, will provide training on EyeQuestion sensory software
- Ability to interact effectively with large and diverse group of people
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize with limited supervision
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Basic problem solving and decision-making ability
- Proven time management skills; capable of managing multiple simultaneous priorities
- Ability to stand/walk for long periods of time
- Ability to bend and climb on step stool or ladder
- Ability to lift 50-pound cases of product
- Valid driver’s license
Education and Experience: High School Diploma or GED
Minimum 1-2 years of laboratory experience working in food CPG or food service
Bonus:
- AS or BS in Science or similar
- ServSafe certification
