Senior Sensory Scientist

Please go to the link to apply https://www.indeed.com/job/senior-sensory-scientist-cedd4865e3e3f23f

About Sensory Spectrum

Sensory Spectrum is a globally recognized consulting firm that specializes in understanding the product sensory experience – what does a product look, feel, taste, and smell like. What are the impacts of sensory experiences on consumers’ perception? Do consumers like a product, how much do they like it, and what benefits do they associate with it? These are the types of questions we deal with each day. Our approach is based on strong scientific principles and links advanced sensory methods with consumer research using the latest statistical analysis procedures to provide solutions which result in confident decision making.

Sensory Spectrum works with a diverse set of clients ranging from small startups to large multi-national corporations. These clients represent a wide range of product categories. If it can be evaluated with the five senses, we have studied it. Working at Sensory Spectrum is always challenging, diverse, and rewarding.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Sensory Scientist (Program Manager) is responsible for program oversight and project execution for onsite work at a client site based in the Atlanta, Georgia area. They will be the primary Client Manager and are responsible for developing and maintaining the client-consultant relationship, providing strategic thought leadership to enhance the program, managing onsite quality panel operations and semi-monthly onsite evaluations with a traveling team of tasters. Responsibilities include scheduling, preparing panel session materials, leading panel evaluations, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting results and recommendations based on client objectives. The Sr Sensory Scientist works closely with the Sr. Director of Managed Sensory Partnerships and Consulting and/or V.P. of Client Services to assign work and monitor workloads. The Sr Sensory Scientist will guide the program’s development and manage the onsite panel team, ensuring the program operates in accordance with Sensory Spectrum quality and timelines standards. In addition, the Sr Sensory Scientist will manage external clients independently and assume responsibility for the client-consultant relationship (i.e. assume primary Client Manager responsibilities for multiple external clients). Responsible for writing proposals/price quotes, study planning, study execution and reporting

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statements

• Assume management of a dual Consulting and Managed Sensory Partnership client contract.
• Plan and execute a Managed Sensory Partnership contract and/or multiple product, consumer, and consumer product research studies simultaneously, working collaboratively with cross-functional partners.
• Independently manage external clients and their research needs to understand project objectives and develop a project plan and deliverables to achieve the objective; with guidance from the Sr. Director of Consulting or cross-functional Subject Matter Experts (SME).
• Monitor timelines to ensure timely delivery of project.
• Manage client communication for successful program development and project execution.
• Build lasting client relationships.
• Enhance technical skills in descriptive analysis through participation in product evaluations and provide actionable data to clients. Evaluations may include taste, texture, aroma, visual, and feel evaluations of a variety of consumer products
• Leverage expertise to lead professional trainings and workshops, as needed, internally or externally.
• Coach, mentor and develop staff, including overseeing new employee onboarding and providing performance feedback to enhance employees’ skills.
• Foster a spirit of teamwork and unity among team members that allows for disagreement over ideas, conflict and expeditious conflict resolution, and the appreciation of diversity as well as cohesiveness, supportiveness, and working effectively together to enable each employee and the department to succeed.
• Consciously create a workplace culture that is consistent with the overall organization's and that emphasizes the identified mission, vision, goals, and values of the organization.
• Maintain transparent communication.
• Allocate projects and monitor workload of each team member.
• Provide information required for billing and ensure bills are delivered in a timely and accurate manner.
• Performs other duties as needed
• Onsite Panel Essential Functions
• Ensure daily operation of the panel by ensuring all materials are ready for each session (products, ballots, protocols, necessary panel supplies…)
• Provide regular training / orientations to panelists, on an as needed basis
• Assess and update established evaluation protocols on as needed basis
• Complete study reporting to include review and formatting of data, working with analysis team, developing tables to report study related information, and creating reports to disseminate to the client
• Provide initial HR interaction with panelists.
• Maintain attendance and payment records for panelists.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Essential Skills and Experience

• Functional Technical Competency in Sensory Evaluation techniques, including:
• Knowledge of lexicons and techniques used to describe multiple consumer product categories
• Descriptive analysis techniques, data analysis and interpretation, and reporting
• Consumer research techniques, data analysis and interpretation, and reporting
• Complex research techniques, including DOE, DOL, Consumer Qual/Quant
• Ability to manage, direct and engage direct reports and cross functional teams
• Ability to communicate effectively with others utilizing written and oral communication skills, including public speaking
• Excellent organizational, planning and prioritization skills
• Engage, coach, and develop others
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability and willingness to evaluate multiple food, beverage, and personal care products on a daily basis

Competencies Required

• Communication
• Listening and integration of feedback
• Priority setting and time management
• Organization and planning
• Problem solving
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: Bachelor's Degree (four-year college or university) or greater

Experience: 10-12 years related experience in consulting and client relationship management

Computer Skills

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Experience with XLStat, SAS and other statistical software is desirable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; viewing a computer screen; extensive reading; video meetings.

Notice

The Company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.

Work Location

Atlanta, GA (remote), regular travel to client site in the Atlanta, GA area required

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance