Sensory Manager

Crystal Lake, IL

Posted: 03/23/2023 Industry: Laboratory - Food & Beverage Job Number: 104.23DW Pay Rate: 105,000 - 125,000 Remote: Experience:

Job Description

Sensory Manager

The Sensory Manager is responsible for leading and growing the Sensory team and oversee all sensory functions.  This role is responsible for defining, leading, and executing discriminative, descriptive, and consumer-based sensory evaluations that support and guide product (flavor, ingredient, and finished product) development and innovation.

The Sensory Manager is also expected to provide technological thought-leadership and functional continuous improvement evolution by leveraging both internal and external resources.  This role will partner with a broad cross-functional team to deliver best-in-class sensory guidance across a broad range of food and beverage categories and business needs.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Key Requirements:

  • People Leadership – Manage a team of direct reports and leadership by influence over cross-functional teams for sensory projects
  • Direct oversight and management of the internal Sensory lab and facilities. Check in on software solutions and updates, while setting strategic direction and evolution of all sensory functions
  • Supervise the team and execution of sensory testing and documentation
  • Leverage best practice methodologies to yield fit-for-purpose protocols and statistically significant / robust deliverables
  • Develop internal and cross-functional customer needs and priorities and deliver against business needs
  • Working with external partners and clients as the face of the company’s value-added and high-performing Sensory team
  • Provide open, honest, and appropriate feedback to employees and take part in coaching, and developing staff to support their growth
  • Drive thought-leadership around sensory and consumer insight-related science, vendors, and technologies – push innovative recommendations onto the business
  • Develop and report on key metrics and functional KPIs and applies to resource needs and allocations
  • Institute and model a culture of proactivity, customer-service, curiosity, continuous-improvement, and entrepreneurialism – act as an owner
  • Manage suppliers and other external resources to deliver innovative technologies / ideas – connect strongly with external environment and internalize best ideas
  • Establish and manage budgets

**If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Damon Wickmann at dwickmann@cps4jobs.com.

JO:  104.23DW
#LI-DM2

Job Requirements

Technical Qualifications:

  • BS in Food Science or related discipline. Sensory science degree or certification strongly desired.  MS/PhD preferred
  • 5+ years of sensory experience in a Research and Development environment. People management and sensory panel experience preferred
  • Expert knowledge of sensory evaluations / procedures across a broad range of flavor, ingredient, and food & beverage industry business needs
  • Knowledge of statistics, data science and the ability to communicate complex results to a broad and diverse audience
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
  • Entrepreneurial, curious, courageous, and proactive self-starter who seeks to lead
  • Ability to travel (approximately 10%)
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities and support multiple projects within a given day
  • Candidate must possess good documentation skills and be adept at working within programs such as Excel, Word & assorted databases, and sensory software such as Compusense
  • Great communicator and like to lead and work in a team environment
  • Likes to be an ambassador / advocate of the company and represent with pride at trade-shows, with customers and community
  • Enthusiasm to drive research and results in the company
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Broad understanding of company business
  • Mentor and coach junior employees
  • May indirectly supervise other Application Technologists
  • We are looking for someone with a positive attitude, a team player, engaging and able to communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively

**If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Damon Wickmann at dwickmann@cps4jobs.com.

JO:  104.23DW

#LI-DM2

Meet Your Recruiter

Damon Wickmann
Technical Recruiter

I have always been an advocate of life and career strategy management.

I am also a 'Foodie' at heart and love recruiting for food and beverage companies.   

My background in education has provided me tools to support my passion for helping talented people with career advancement.   

I have transitioned from college advising to career recruiting where I combine that with my other passion - Food!

I recruit excellent people for the food industry and the science behind what we eat and drink.  This includes research and development in the lab through commercialization and the quality people behind the scenes that make it all happen.  I look forward to speaking with you soon.

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