The hershey company Business Intelligence Interview Guide
1. Introduction
Getting ready for a Business Intelligence interview at The Hershey Company? The Hershey Company Business Intelligence interview process typically spans several question topics and evaluates skills in areas like data analytics, SQL, data warehousing, and communicating actionable insights to diverse stakeholders. Interview preparation is especially important for this role, as candidates are expected to demonstrate not only technical proficiency but also the ability to translate complex data into strategic business recommendations that drive decision-making in a consumer-focused environment.
In preparing for the interview, you should:
- Understand the core skills necessary for Business Intelligence positions at The Hershey Company.
- Gain insights into The Hershey Company’s Business Intelligence interview structure and process.
- Practice real The Hershey Company Business Intelligence interview questions to sharpen your performance.
At Interview Query, we regularly analyze interview experience data shared by candidates. This guide uses that data to provide an overview of The Hershey Company Business Intelligence interview process, along with sample questions and preparation tips tailored to help you succeed.
1.2. What The Hershey Company Does
The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, PA, is a global leader in confectionery, producing iconic brands such as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Jolly Rancher, and Ice Breakers. With approximately 18,000 employees and over $7.4 billion in annual revenues, Hershey operates in more than 80 countries, delivering quality chocolate, sweets, mints, and snacks. The company is expanding its portfolio beyond confectionery and strengthening its presence in international markets. Hershey is committed to operating fairly, ethically, and sustainably, making a positive impact on communities worldwide. In a Business Intelligence role, you will support data-driven decision-making that underpins the company’s growth and operational excellence.
1.3. What does a The Hershey Company Business Intelligence do?
As a Business Intelligence professional at The Hershey Company, you will be responsible for gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to support strategic decision-making across departments such as sales, marketing, and supply chain. Your core tasks will include developing dashboards, generating reports, and identifying trends that inform business strategies and optimize operations. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data-driven solutions align with company objectives, helping to improve efficiency and drive growth. This role is integral to leveraging analytics to enhance market competitiveness and support Hershey’s commitment to delivering quality products and customer satisfaction.
2. Overview of the Hershey Company Interview Process
2.1 Stage 1: Application & Resume Review
The process begins with an initial review of your application and resume by the Hershey Company’s talent acquisition team. They look for a strong blend of business intelligence skills, including experience with data warehousing, analytics, ETL pipeline design, data quality management, and the ability to translate business requirements into actionable insights. Applicants who demonstrate proficiency in SQL, data modeling, and business problem-solving—especially in consumer, retail, or supply chain analytics—are prioritized. To prepare, ensure your resume highlights quantifiable impacts, technical expertise, and cross-functional collaboration.
2.2 Stage 2: Recruiter Screen
If your application advances, a recruiter will contact you for a virtual screening. This conversation typically lasts 30–45 minutes and covers your motivation for joining Hershey, your understanding of the company’s products and data-driven culture, and your alignment with the business intelligence role. Expect questions about your career trajectory, communication skills, and ability to explain complex data concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Preparation should focus on articulating your passion for data-driven decision-making and your experience with data storytelling.
2.3 Stage 3: Technical/Case/Skills Round
This stage usually consists of one or more virtual interviews with members of the analytics or BI team. You’ll be assessed on technical depth and problem-solving abilities. Common topics include designing data warehouses for retail or e-commerce scenarios, building scalable ETL pipelines, demonstrating SQL proficiency through query writing, and tackling case studies involving business metrics, A/B testing, and customer experience analytics. You may also be asked to analyze the success of marketing campaigns, optimize supply chain efficiency, or address data quality issues. To prepare, review core BI concepts, be ready to walk through your technical thought process, and practice structuring your approach to open-ended business problems.
2.4 Stage 4: Behavioral Interview
Behavioral interviews at Hershey focus on your ability to work cross-functionally, communicate insights to diverse audiences, and drive business outcomes through analytics. You’ll be asked to discuss past projects, challenges faced in data initiatives, and how you ensured data accessibility for business users. Expect scenarios involving stakeholder management, adapting presentations for different audiences, and making data actionable for non-technical colleagues. Preparation should center on the STAR method, emphasizing leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and a customer-centric mindset.
2.5 Stage 5: Final/Onsite Round
The final round is typically conducted in person and may involve multiple interviews with senior leaders, analytics directors, or cross-functional partners. You’ll likely be asked to present a data-driven case study or walk through a recent analytics project, highlighting your approach to business problems, technical execution, and the impact of your recommendations. This stage also evaluates cultural fit, strategic thinking, and your vision for leveraging BI at Hershey. Prepare by selecting a project that showcases your end-to-end analytics process, from identifying business needs to delivering actionable insights.
2.6 Stage 6: Offer & Negotiation
If successful, you’ll receive an offer from Hershey’s HR team. This stage includes a discussion of compensation, benefits, start date, and any remaining questions about the role or company culture. Be prepared to negotiate based on your experience and market benchmarks, and reiterate your enthusiasm for joining Hershey’s business intelligence team.
2.7 Average Timeline
The typical Hershey Company Business Intelligence interview process spans 4–8 weeks from initial application to offer. Virtual interview rounds are usually completed within 2–3 weeks, while onsite interviews and final decisions may add several additional weeks, especially if scheduling with multiple stakeholders is required. Fast-track candidates with highly relevant experience may move through the process in as little as one month, while standard pacing allows for more thorough evaluation and feedback at each stage.
Next, let’s explore the types of interview questions you can expect throughout the process.
3. The Hershey Company Business Intelligence Sample Interview Questions
3.1. Data Modeling & Warehousing
Business Intelligence teams at The Hershey Company focus heavily on designing scalable data systems and robust pipelines to support analytics and reporting. Expect questions about constructing data warehouses, ETL processes, and integrating data from diverse sources for business operations.
3.1.1 Design a data warehouse for a new online retailer
Start by outlining key business entities, relationships, and required fact/dimension tables. Discuss how you would support reporting needs and scalability for growing data volumes.
Example answer: “I’d identify sales, inventory, and customer as core entities, then design star schemas for efficient querying. I’d implement slowly changing dimensions to handle evolving attributes and use partitioning for performance.”
3.1.2 Design a scalable ETL pipeline for ingesting heterogeneous data from Skyscanner's partners
Explain your approach to handling varied data formats, ensuring data quality, and maintaining scalability.
Example answer: “I’d use modular ETL stages to parse, validate, and normalize partner data. Automated quality checks and schema mapping would ensure consistency, while cloud-based orchestration would handle scale.”
3.1.3 Design a robust, scalable pipeline for uploading, parsing, storing, and reporting on customer CSV data
Describe the ingestion, validation, storage, and reporting mechanisms, emphasizing error handling and automation.
Example answer: “I’d implement batch ingestion with schema validation, auto-logging of errors, and incremental storage in a cloud data warehouse. Automated reporting would be triggered post-ingestion.”
3.1.4 How would you design a data warehouse for a e-commerce company looking to expand internationally?
Discuss strategies for supporting multiple currencies, languages, and regional regulations in your data model.
Example answer: “I’d incorporate region-specific dimension tables and currency conversion logic, ensuring compliance with local data governance. Modular architecture would allow for easy expansion.”
3.2. Analytics Experimentation & A/B Testing
You’ll be expected to demonstrate proficiency in designing experiments, measuring success, and interpreting results for strategic business decisions. The Hershey Company values candidates who can quantify impact and communicate findings.
3.2.1 The role of A/B testing in measuring the success rate of an analytics experiment
Describe how you would structure an A/B test, select metrics, and analyze the results.
Example answer: “I’d randomize users into control and test groups, define success metrics (e.g., conversion rate), and use statistical tests to determine significance.”
3.2.2 Assessing the market potential and then use A/B testing to measure its effectiveness against user behavior
Explain how you would combine market analysis with experimental design to validate new features.
Example answer: “I’d estimate market size, segment users, and design A/B tests to measure engagement and conversion, iterating based on results.”
3.2.3 How would you measure the success of an email campaign?
Discuss key metrics and statistical methods for evaluating campaign effectiveness.
Example answer: “I’d track open rates, click-through, and conversion, using cohort analysis and regression to isolate campaign impact.”
3.2.4 How would you evaluate whether a 50% rider discount promotion is a good or bad idea? What metrics would you track?
Outline your experimental design, metrics, and business impact analysis.
Example answer: “I’d measure incremental sales, retention, and margin impact, running a pre-post analysis and tracking customer lifetime value.”
3.3. Data Quality & ETL Processes
Ensuring high data quality and reliable ETL processes is essential for BI roles at The Hershey Company. Be prepared to discuss your strategies for cleaning, validating, and reconciling disparate data sources.
3.3.1 Ensuring data quality within a complex ETL setup
Describe your process for monitoring, auditing, and improving data quality in ETL pipelines.
Example answer: “I’d implement validation rules, anomaly detection, and periodic audits, documenting all transformations and flagging inconsistencies for review.”
3.3.2 How would you approach improving the quality of airline data?
Discuss profiling, cleaning, and ongoing quality assurance for large datasets.
Example answer: “I’d profile missingness, apply targeted cleaning, and automate regular checks, collaborating with upstream teams to fix root causes.”
3.3.3 Write a query to generate a shopping list that sums up the total mass of each grocery item required across three recipes.
Demonstrate your ability to aggregate and reconcile data from multiple sources.
Example answer: “I’d join recipe tables, sum ingredient quantities by item, and group results for a consolidated shopping list.”
3.3.4 Write a SQL query to count transactions filtered by several criterias.
Show your approach to filtering and aggregating transactional data for reporting.
Example answer: “I’d use WHERE clauses to filter by criteria, then GROUP BY and COUNT to summarize transactions.”
3.4. Business Metrics & Insights
Business Intelligence at The Hershey Company requires strong skills in defining, tracking, and communicating key business metrics. You’ll need to translate data into actionable insights for a variety of stakeholders.
3.4.1 Let’s say that you're in charge of an e-commerce D2C business that sells socks. What business health metrics would you care?
Identify and explain core metrics for monitoring business performance.
Example answer: “I’d track CAC, retention, LTV, and gross margin, using dashboards to report trends and flag anomalies.”
3.4.2 Delivering an exceptional customer experience by focusing on key customer-centric parameters
Discuss how you would measure and improve customer experience using data.
Example answer: “I’d analyze NPS, response times, and complaint rates, prioritizing interventions based on root cause analysis.”
3.4.3 What kind of analysis would you conduct to recommend changes to the UI?
Describe your approach to user journey analytics and actionable recommendations.
Example answer: “I’d map user flows, identify drop-off points, and run funnel analysis to guide UI changes.”
3.4.4 How to present complex data insights with clarity and adaptability tailored to a specific audience
Explain your strategy for communicating findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Example answer: “I’d tailor visualizations, use business language, and focus on actionable takeaways for each audience.”
3.5. Communication & Data Accessibility
Effective communication and making data accessible to non-technical users are key for BI professionals at The Hershey Company. Be ready to discuss your methods for simplifying insights and fostering data-driven decision-making.
3.5.1 Making data-driven insights actionable for those without technical expertise
Describe how you bridge the gap between technical analysis and business action.
Example answer: “I use analogies, visual aids, and clear summaries to make insights relatable and actionable.”
3.5.2 Demystifying data for non-technical users through visualization and clear communication
Explain your approach to designing intuitive dashboards and reports.
Example answer: “I prioritize clarity, use interactive elements, and provide context to empower non-technical users.”
3.6 Behavioral Questions
3.6.1 Tell me about a time you used data to make a decision that impacted business outcomes.
How to Answer: Focus on a specific instance where your analysis led to measurable improvements, highlighting your process and communication with stakeholders.
Example answer: “I analyzed sales data to identify underperforming SKUs, recommended discontinuation, and saw a 15% margin improvement.”
3.6.2 Describe a challenging data project and how you handled it.
How to Answer: Share the project’s complexity, your problem-solving approach, and how you overcame obstacles.
Example answer: “I led a cross-functional team to integrate disparate data sources, resolving schema conflicts and automating validation.”
3.6.3 How do you handle unclear requirements or ambiguity in business requests?
How to Answer: Emphasize proactive communication, iterative scoping, and alignment with stakeholders.
Example answer: “I schedule clarifying meetings, document assumptions, and deliver prototypes for early feedback.”
3.6.4 Tell me about a time when your colleagues didn’t agree with your approach. What did you do to bring them into the conversation and address their concerns?
How to Answer: Highlight your collaboration skills and willingness to adapt based on input.
Example answer: “I facilitated a workshop to gather perspectives, aligned on shared goals, and adjusted my proposal to reflect team consensus.”
3.6.5 Talk about a time when you had trouble communicating with stakeholders. How were you able to overcome it?
How to Answer: Describe your strategy for bridging gaps, such as using visualizations or simplifying language.
Example answer: “I created interactive dashboards and held training sessions to ensure stakeholders understood key metrics.”
3.6.6 Describe a time you had to negotiate scope creep when two departments kept adding requests. How did you keep the project on track?
How to Answer: Explain how you quantified trade-offs, reprioritized work, and communicated transparently.
Example answer: “I used a MoSCoW framework to separate must-haves from nice-to-haves and secured leadership buy-in for the revised plan.”
3.6.7 Give an example of how you balanced short-term wins with long-term data integrity when pressured to ship quickly.
How to Answer: Discuss your approach to meeting deadlines without sacrificing quality, and how you managed expectations.
Example answer: “I delivered initial results with clear caveats, then scheduled follow-up work to address deeper data issues.”
3.6.8 Tell me about a situation where you had to influence stakeholders without formal authority to adopt a data-driven recommendation.
How to Answer: Focus on your persuasive communication and evidence-based arguments.
Example answer: “I presented a compelling analysis linking my recommendation to business KPIs, gaining cross-functional support.”
3.6.9 Describe how you prioritized backlog items when multiple executives marked their requests as ‘high priority.’
How to Answer: Explain your prioritization framework and stakeholder management approach.
Example answer: “I scored requests using RICE criteria and held alignment meetings to ensure transparency.”
3.6.10 Tell us about a time you caught an error in your analysis after sharing results. What did you do next?
How to Answer: Show your accountability and process for correcting mistakes.
Example answer: “I immediately notified stakeholders, issued corrected reports, and documented improvements to my QA process.”
4. Preparation Tips for The Hershey Company Business Intelligence Interviews
4.1 Company-specific tips:
Familiarize yourself with The Hershey Company’s iconic brands and product portfolio, including Hershey’s, Reese’s, and Jolly Rancher, as well as their expansion into new snack categories and international markets. Understanding the company’s business model, seasonal sales cycles, and customer-centric approach will help you contextualize data problems and demonstrate strategic alignment in your interview responses.
Research recent Hershey initiatives, such as sustainability programs, digital transformation efforts, and new product launches. Be prepared to discuss how data and analytics can support these initiatives, whether by measuring campaign effectiveness, identifying growth opportunities, or enhancing supply chain efficiency.
Review Hershey’s annual reports, press releases, and industry news to stay current on company performance, competitive landscape, and consumer trends. This will enable you to ask insightful questions during interviews and tailor your examples to Hershey’s unique business challenges.
4.2 Role-specific tips:
4.2.1 Practice designing scalable data warehouses and ETL pipelines for consumer and retail scenarios.
Hone your ability to architect data solutions that support Hershey’s business needs, such as integrating sales, inventory, and marketing data from multiple sources. Be ready to discuss fact and dimension tables, slowly changing dimensions, and strategies for handling high data volumes and regional variations.
4.2.2 Demonstrate proficiency in SQL by writing queries that aggregate, filter, and reconcile transactional data.
Expect to be tested on your ability to write efficient SQL queries for reporting, such as counting transactions, generating shopping lists from multiple recipes, or filtering data by complex criteria. Practice explaining your logic and optimizing for performance and accuracy.
4.2.3 Show how you ensure data quality and reliability in complex ETL setups.
Prepare to discuss your process for validating, cleaning, and auditing data throughout the pipeline. Highlight your experience with automated quality checks, anomaly detection, and collaborating with upstream teams to resolve data issues.
4.2.4 Illustrate your ability to design and analyze A/B tests and business experiments.
Be ready to structure experiments that measure the impact of marketing campaigns, promotions, or new features. Explain how you select success metrics, randomize groups, and use statistical methods to interpret results in a consumer-focused environment.
4.2.5 Articulate how you translate complex data insights into actionable business recommendations.
Practice presenting findings with clarity, tailoring your message to both technical and non-technical audiences. Use visual aids and business language to make insights relatable, and focus on driving strategic decisions that align with Hershey’s goals.
4.2.6 Prepare examples of collaborating cross-functionally and influencing stakeholders without formal authority.
Think of situations where you worked with sales, marketing, or supply chain teams to deliver analytics projects. Emphasize your communication skills, adaptability, and ability to gain buy-in for data-driven recommendations.
4.2.7 Be ready to discuss how you balance quick wins with long-term data integrity.
Share your approach to delivering results under tight deadlines while maintaining high standards for data quality. Highlight how you manage expectations and plan for continuous improvement.
4.2.8 Practice prioritizing requests and managing ambiguity in business requirements.
Demonstrate your use of frameworks and transparent communication to align stakeholder needs, especially when multiple executives or departments have competing priorities. Show how you clarify scope and deliver value efficiently.
4.2.9 Prepare to present a recent analytics project end-to-end.
Select a project that showcases your skills in identifying business needs, designing data solutions, executing analysis, and communicating impact. Be ready to walk through your technical and strategic thought process, emphasizing measurable outcomes and lessons learned.
5. FAQs
5.1 How hard is the The Hershey Company Business Intelligence interview?
The Hershey Company’s Business Intelligence interview is considered moderately challenging, especially for candidates who haven’t worked in consumer goods or retail analytics. The process tests your technical skills in data warehousing, SQL, and ETL, as well as your ability to communicate actionable insights and drive business decisions. Success hinges on both technical proficiency and business acumen, so preparation across both areas is key.
5.2 How many interview rounds does The Hershey Company have for Business Intelligence?
Typically, there are 5–6 rounds: an initial application and resume review, a recruiter screen, one or more technical/case interviews, a behavioral round, and a final onsite or virtual round with senior leaders. Each stage is designed to assess a different aspect of your fit for the role, from technical depth to communication and strategic thinking.
5.3 Does The Hershey Company ask for take-home assignments for Business Intelligence?
While not universal, some candidates report receiving take-home case studies or analytics exercises. These assignments often involve analyzing sales, marketing, or supply chain data and presenting actionable recommendations, reflecting real business challenges at Hershey.
5.4 What skills are required for the The Hershey Company Business Intelligence?
Key skills include advanced SQL, data modeling, ETL pipeline design, data quality management, and experience with BI tools (like Tableau or Power BI). You should also excel at translating complex analytics into strategic business recommendations, communicating with cross-functional teams, and understanding consumer, retail, or supply chain metrics.
5.5 How long does the The Hershey Company Business Intelligence hiring process take?
The process usually takes 4–8 weeks from initial application to offer, depending on scheduling and team availability. Virtual rounds are often completed within 2–3 weeks, while onsite interviews and final decisions may add additional time.
5.6 What types of questions are asked in the The Hershey Company Business Intelligence interview?
Expect a mix of technical questions (data warehousing, SQL, ETL, data quality), business case studies (marketing campaign analysis, supply chain optimization), and behavioral scenarios (stakeholder management, communication challenges, prioritization frameworks). You may also be asked to present a recent analytics project and discuss your approach end-to-end.
5.7 Does The Hershey Company give feedback after the Business Intelligence interview?
Feedback is typically provided through the recruiter, especially if you reach the onsite or final round. While detailed technical feedback may be limited, you can expect high-level insights into your performance and fit for the role.
5.8 What is the acceptance rate for The Hershey Company Business Intelligence applicants?
The acceptance rate is competitive, estimated at around 3–5% for qualified applicants. Hershey seeks candidates with a strong blend of technical and business skills, so thorough preparation can help you stand out.
5.9 Does The Hershey Company hire remote Business Intelligence positions?
Yes, The Hershey Company does offer remote and hybrid options for Business Intelligence roles, though some positions may require periodic travel to headquarters or regional offices for team collaboration and key meetings. Flexibility depends on the specific team and business needs.
6. Additional Resources
The Hershey Company Business Intelligence Interview Guide Outro
Ready to ace your The Hershey Company Business Intelligence interview? It’s not just about knowing the technical skills—you need to think like a Hershey Business Intelligence professional, solve problems under pressure, and connect your expertise to real business impact. That’s where Interview Query comes in with company-specific learning paths, mock interviews, and curated question banks tailored toward roles at The Hershey Company and similar companies.
With resources like the The Hershey Company Business Intelligence Interview Guide, Business Intelligence interview guide, and our latest Business Intelligence case study practice sets, you’ll get access to real interview questions, detailed walkthroughs, and coaching support designed to boost both your technical skills and domain intuition.
Take the next step—explore more case study questions, try mock interviews, and browse targeted prep materials on Interview Query. Bookmark this guide or share it with peers prepping for similar roles. It could be the difference between applying and offering. You’ve got this!