Sensory Technician

Title: Sr. Sensory Technician

Location: HQ - Bridgewater, NJ

Duration: 5 Months

Job Description:

• Innovation Sensory Insights is an essential function within Client Health Science’s R&D organization that supports both innovation and renovation projects through product experience research. The team is looking for a Senior Technician for a 5-month assignment to cover parental leave.
• In this role, the individual will lead the day-to-day operations of the sensory and consumer testing conducted by the department. This includes collaborating with the scientists to ensure all logistics necessary for their projects are covered and enable projects to operate smoothly and efficiently.

Core Responsibilities:

Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the sensory laboratory:

• Plans and procures products and supplies for the laboratory each week to enable on-site tastings and product evaluations (e.g. foods, beverages, cups, napkins, etc.)
• Coordinates shipments and deliveries with outside vendors and pilot plant – including documentation, distribution and storage once received.
• Programs sensory software and performs data clean-up for descriptive analysis and discrimination panel evaluations
• Maintains records of attendance, performance, and administration of feedback for descriptive and discrimination panels
• Maintains laboratory cleanliness and demonstrates safe laboratory behavior; attends training as needed and coordinates efforts with facilities.
• Trains technicians and/or others in a support role (who may share laboratory spaces where testing/tastings are conducted) on good laboratory practices and all sample preparation and storage requirements.
• Maintains team SharePoint and overall department project tracker

Supports execution of on-site and external sensory and consumer testing:

• Schedule, plan and execute informal lab tastings including product preparation, ballot development and reporting.
• Leads in execution and analysis of acuity testing for discrimination & descriptive panelists
• Procures, codes and ships products for external consumer testing ensuring timely delivery and record keeping
• Coordinates with test facilities upon arrival to ensure appropriate record keeping, product storage and compliance with rescreening for allergens and other inclusion / exclusion criteria
• Coordinates with facilities for on site consumer testing to ensure facility is ready for consumer research (e.g. room set up, staffing for product prep, alert security)
• Provides support as needed to all R&D teams utilizing sensory software in their product evaluations

Qualifications:

• High School diploma minimum, Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 2+ years experience working in a sensory department in the consumer goods industry
• Working knowledge of sensory methodology
• Working knowledge of sensory software (e.g. Eye Question, Fizz, Compusense, Red Jade)
• Ability to self-manage, juggle multiple priorities, and pay attention to details