The Sensory Scientists manage resources to support the business strategies related to the Stage Gate Process in which Sensory Evaluation plays a role. Leads the descriptive panel and provides value-added actionable sensory results to drive business performance across the product categories. Works as a partner for both departments R&D and Marketing Insights delivering sensory and interpretation results that supports consumer research projects, the development and improvement of new and existing products, and the development of the best practices in sensory descriptive assessments.
- Acts as a panel leader for the descriptive panel. Provides the planning, execution, and interpretation of a descriptive analysis in corn and flour tortillas, and chips.
- Supports and executes projects through planning appropriate descriptive, and sensory evaluation methods and communicates key findings and the interpretation results to R&D, marketing insight, and cross-functional teams for new products or product improvements.
- Designs experiments and interpret statistical analysis of results for sensory evaluation assessments.
- Coordinates and collaborates across the R&D teams, and business teams, on the process of new products and product improvement projects.
- Executes descriptive panel recalibration efforts to maintain the panel at their optimal capability.
- Make final reports and presentations and generate accurate data.
- Delivers technical knowledge representing the function.
- Performs other duties as required.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCEBachelor's degree in food science/technology or a similar field. Minimum of 5 years of experience in sensory science as a core element of the role. Experience in the application of statistical analysis. Requires advanced skills in research design, and statistical applications. Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience may be considered for the above.
- Able to plan and manage projects
- Excellent level of technical competency in sensory science
- Excellent skills in the interpretation of data obtained
- Excellent knowledge in statistics
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), good organizational development skills
- Knowledge of tortilla and chips category is a plus
- Passionate, adaptable and willing to grow and work in a team environment
- Food Science and Technology background
- Able to work well in a team environment
- Good leadership skills
- Decisive thinker
- Professional conduct and manner
- Ability to give presentations.
