Research Assistant S&R

Overview: TekWissen is a global workforce management provider headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan that offers strategic talent solutions to our clients world-wide. Our client is an American multinational company and one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world. It also manufactures baked products, beverages and many more that are produced globally. Position: Research Assistant S&R Location: Hershey, PA 17033 Duration: 3 Months Job Type: Temporary Assignment Work Type: Onsite Job Description: Reporting to the Manager S&R, R&D and working at the The client Company's Technical Center, the Technician position provides project assistance in high and medium complexity projects with support or leads workstreams within larger projects with guidance and support. A successful candidate has knowledge of how to manufacture a wide portfolio of products and to run the associated lab and pilot plant equipment. This candidate has basic food science knowledge around core products and formulations and demonstrates basic cross-functional communication and communication focused to project leader and management. Specific Role Focus Area: Work with multiple scientists within Sweets and Refreshment 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, computer applications, and organoleptic evaluations Complete product development tasks at benchtop and pilot plant scale Assist and/or lead in equipment assembly, disassembly, cleaning, preparation, and production runs Support in-plant initiatives such as trials, sales sample production, and start-ups Identify project support needs Collaborate and partner with project leaders and peers on planning and execution Work independently and proactively Demonstrate excellent communication skills Exemplify agility to manage multiple workstreams and employ effective time management skills Ability to lift up to the maximum of fifty (50) pounds and prepare product for testing Ability to learn and apply new skills quickly This role will interact and partner with: Scientists Engineers Pilot plant operations Main Duties: This individual will be asked to pan cores for a future testing. They will also be asked to clean equipment, lab space and pilot plant space. The work may occur in the lab or the pilot plant. The individual may need to operate standard analytical equipment and tools or operate processing equipment in the lab and pilot plant. The individual will be responsible for maintaining our highest quality of food safety standards and sanitation standards. Education/Experience: High school diploma or GED required. 0-2 years' experience required. Time % Summary of major duties: 80 Project support: Operate standard 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 post-test cleanup. 0-10 Project leadership: With minimal supervision, lead small projects or segments of larger projects. Manage timelines and deliverables, plan and execute experiments with autonomy, oversee temporary labor deliverables and coordination, manage communication of status and results to the team and supervisors. 10-20 Lab maintenance: Responsible for organization, cleanliness, and sanitation of team laboratory workspaces. Maintain inventory of ingredients and supplies. Maintain regulatory compliance through entry of ingredient/packaging information in the lot tracking database and respective trainings. Work within the Tech Center Traceability system to schedule pilot plant runs, reserve rooms and equipment, log/track ingredients and products, and create finished goods. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Education and Experience: GED/HSD with minimum 3-4 years related experience, or BS in non-related field with no experience Three Technical Skills: 45% ability to weight ingredient and follow panning recipes, such as time and quantities. 45% ability to clean equipment and work spaces 10% ability to record data Software Skills and Purpose (if applicable): Experience in Excel and Word Industry Experience: Great to have experience in produce processing, food manufacturing, or research and development Team Size: Team is ~2 people TekWissen® Group is an equal opportunity employer supporting workforce diversity.

Created: 2026-03-08