Sensory Quality Technician

Basic Purpose: The Sensory Quality Lab Technician is responsible for sensory evaluation (cupping), physical grading, sample testing (moisture, density) and ensuring smooth flow of activities in the Sensory Quality Lab. This role is responsible for ensuring raw materials and finished goods are evaluated according to network-wide standards preparation methods and customer specifications as applicable.

This position is also responsible for recording and inputting approval data into the Quality Control Systems (D365, Probat DMS and Sharepoint).

Essential Responsibilities / Specific Duties

Sensory Assessment (cupping):

• Conducts finished good physical and sensory assessments utilizing a repeatable and systematic methodology that enables comparing a variety of samples, side by side or by utilizing a standard.
• Prepares green receiving samples for approval
• Conducts or assists with green grading approval
• Partner with site specific Quality Assurance to ensure sensory quality control functions are performed properly
• Follows network-wide sensory standards and protocols at specific site location.
• Responsible for entering approval or rejection data for raw materials
  
  

Sensory Assessment (cupping) Preparation

• Follows proper handling of raw materials and finished goods in relation to setting up of a cupping table
• Prepares and roasts raw material samples to specification
• Responsible for ensuring cupping preparation meets all customer specific and MP sensory specifications and requirements
• Responsible for the daily cleaning of cupping lab and cupping lab equipment
  
  

Product Development

• Assist in formulation of new products and renovation of existing products, introducing new profit streams into the company
• Assist in execution against product development briefs and development requests including associated production trials and benchtop samples
• Assist in timely delivery of samples to key internal stakeholders and prospective and/or existing customers
  
  

Reporting Relationship (List Positions)

This position reports directly to the Manager, Sensory Quality

Internal Relationships

Daily interaction with all levels of: Product Development, Commodities, Quality and Operations

External Relationships

Occasional support with Customer visits and training sessions

Qualifications

State the minimum qualifications required to successfully perform the job. These are the qualifications that are necessary for someone to be considered for the position. Qualifications include: education, specialized knowledge, skills, abilities, professional certifications, and experience.

Knowledge & Key Competencies (list education requirements and special training / certification requirements here):

• The ability to assess coffee quality objectively against a standard specific to sense of taste, smell, and sight.
• Experience in D365, MS Office and Sharepoint
• Specialized sensory training in coffee (such as Q-Grader license or SCA Sensory Professional certificate) would be an asset
  
  

Health, Safety & Environment Responsibilities

• Understand, support, and comply with Company, Provincial and Federal Environmental legislation and regulations as applicable
• Report any Environmental, Health and Safety concerns to management
  
  

SQF QUALITY & FOOD SAFETY

• Understand, support and comply with all food safety and quality policies/procedures as per SQF Code which includes but not limited to Good
  
  

Manufacturing Practices, HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points), Food Security, Kosher, Organic, Allergen, NHP, Hygiene, government regulations

and customer requirements.

• Attend SQF, GMPs and Quality training as required
• Responsible to report food safety problems and/or quality problems to Managers/Supervisors or person with authority to initiate actions.