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Popcorn Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fill orders for customers at the concession desk for popcorn, drinks, snacks, and meals. * Make popcorn and maintain minimum levels of refreshments. * Maintain a clean and pleasing environment at the ...

Fill orders for customers at the concession desk for popcorn, drinks, snacks, and meals. * Make popcorn and maintain minimum levels of refreshments. * Maintain a clean and pleasing environment at the ...

Store Manager

Hudson, OH · On-site

$40K/yr

Virtue Brands LLC DBA Metropolis Popcorn Position: Store Manager If you want to be part of a hard-working yet fun-loving culture, Metropolis Popcorn wants you to apply! As a Store Manager, you will ...

Store Manager

Hudson, OH · On-site

$40K/yr

Virtue Brands LLC DBA Metropolis Popcorn Position: Store Manager If you want to be part of a hard-working yet fun-loving culture, Metropolis Popcorn wants you to apply! As a Store Manager, you will ...

Be Seen First

Operate and distribute popcorn from the popcorn machine. Company Description BlanketTop Theater is the largest full-service outdoor/indoor projection company in the states of TX & OK.

Rural Route 1 Popcorn is a dynamic and growing popcorn manufacturing company dedicated to delivering high-quality products to our customers. Our commitment to excellence has fueled our growth, and we ...

Runner

Beachwood, OH · On-site

$10/hr

Competitive pay * Free movie passes, popcorn, and soda! * Employee discounts * Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave (full-time) * Health insurance + supplemental benefits (full-time) ???? ...

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Popcorn information

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$12

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How much do popcorn jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for popcorn in the United States is $18.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Popcorn Maker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Popcorn Maker, you need a strong understanding of food safety, proper popcorn preparation techniques, and experience using commercial popcorn machines. Familiarity with sanitation protocols, inventory management systems, and food handling certifications is often required. Attention to detail, efficiency, and excellent customer service skills help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure consistent product quality, safety, and customer satisfaction in food service environments.

What are some common challenges faced by popcorn production workers, and how can they be addressed?

Popcorn production workers often face challenges such as maintaining quality control, handling repetitive tasks, and ensuring safety around hot equipment. Addressing these issues requires attention to detailed procedures, regular safety training, and teamwork among staff to monitor both product consistency and equipment function. Additionally, clear communication with supervisors helps resolve issues quickly and ensures the final product meets industry standards.

What are 'popcorn' jobs?

'Popcorn' jobs typically refer to temporary, casual, or entry-level positions in the popcorn industry, such as making, selling, or serving popcorn at movie theaters, fairs, sports venues, or concession stands. These jobs often involve preparing popcorn, handling cash transactions, and providing customer service. While they may not require extensive experience, they can be a good way to gain work experience, especially for young people or those seeking part-time employment.

What is the difference between Popcorn vs Movie Theater Concession Worker?

AspectPopcornMovie Theater Concession Worker
Primary RolePreparing and serving popcorn and snacksHandling a variety of concession items, including popcorn, drinks, and candy
Work EnvironmentPopcorn stands, theaters, eventsTheater concession counters, cinemas
Required SkillsCustomer service, food prepCustomer service, multitasking, food handling
CertificationsFood safety may be preferredFood safety certifications often required

Popcorn workers focus primarily on preparing and serving popcorn, often in standalone stands or at events. Movie theater concession workers handle a broader range of snacks and drinks within theater settings. Both roles require customer service skills and may need food safety certifications, but the scope of duties and work environment differ slightly.

More about Popcorn jobs
What cities are hiring for Popcorn jobs? Cities with the most Popcorn job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Popcorn jobs? The most popular types of Popcorn jobs are:
What states have the most Popcorn jobs? States with the most job openings for Popcorn jobs include:
Infographic showing various Popcorn job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,296 per year, or $18.4 per hour.
Staff Scientist Popcorn & Kid Snacking

Staff Scientist Popcorn & Kid Snacking

The Hershey Company

Hershey, PA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


The Hershey Company rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 110 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

158th of 397 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Job Location: Hershey, PA
The Staff Scientist, R&D - Fried Snacks leads complex product and process development initiatives across tortilla chips, potato chips, and other fried salty snack platforms. This role serves as an advanced technical expert in dough systems, masa processing, potato processing, extrusion for expanded snacks, frying systems, oil chemistry, seasoning application, and shelf-life performance.
The Staff Scientist works independently to design experiments, lead commercialization, identify and solve manufacturing challenges, and drive long-term capability development. The role collaborates extensively with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, Consumer Insights, and Sensory to deliver innovation, renovation, and productivity projects across multiple snack platforms.
The ideal candidate has deep hands-on expertise in fried snacks, strong cross-functional influence, and the ability to mentor junior scientists while advancing Hershey's salty snack technology roadmap.
This role reports to Sr. Manager, Popcorn and Kid Snacking and is based at Hershey Technical Center.
Technical Expertise
• Deep understanding of fried snack processing, including:
  • Tortilla chips: masa systems, nixtamalized corn, dough hydration, sheeting, baking/drying, frying.
  • Potato chips: potato chemistry, slicing, blanching (if used), frying control, oil quality, color management.
  • Additional fried snacks: extruded snacks, pellet expansion, multi-step frying, seasoning systems

• Expertise in frying science: heat transfer, moisture loss, oil degradation, filtration, turnover, oxidation, acrylamide control.
• Proficiency in seasoning adhesion, application systems, and flavor delivery for fried snacks.
• Experience with statistical analysis, DOE design, and process optimization.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory, food safety, and quality practices relevant to frying operations.
Leadership & Collaboration
  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional technical programs independently.
  • Ability to influence decision-making across teams including Operations, Engineering, Marketing, and Procurement.
  • Strong communication skills in both technical documentation and cross-functional presentations.
  • Experience mentoring junior staff is strongly preferred.

Soft Skills & Behaviors
  • Strong analytical thinker with advanced problem-solving ability.
  • Curiosity-driven, innovative, and comfortable with ambiguity.
  • Strong time-management and project-prioritization skills.
  • Collaborative and able to work across multiple facilities and stakeholders.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:
  • BS, MS, or PhD in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or related with 7-10+ years of experience, preferably including tortilla chips, potato chips, fried snacks, or related categories.
  • Strong track record of successful commercialization from benchtop through plant start-up.
  • Experience designing and executing pilot and plant trials required.
  • Experience with sensory evaluation and consumer learning preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience leading technical problem solving in manufacturing environments.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
  • Ability to work in lab, pilot plant, and production environments.
  • Travel 15-30% (plant trials, supplier visits, testing at multiple facilities).
  • Ability to lift materials up to ~25 lbs for pilot testing work.

#LI-KR1
#LI-Onsite
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.

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