What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Sensory Co-op position at The Boston Beer Company?
Job Description
We're looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Co-op to join our Production Sensory team, supporting sensory evaluation programs that help ensure product quality and consistency across our portfolio. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in sensory science, laboratory operations, data analysis, and quality assurance within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Working alongside Sensory, Quality, Brewing, Packaging, and Operations teams, you'll help generate insights that support product quality, business decisions, and continuous improvement initiatives while developing valuable technical and professional skills.
This position is part of our 6-month Co-op Program, running from January 4, 2027, through June 25, 2027. The role is fully onsite at our Milton Brewery location, with team members expected to work five days per week on-site.
Key Responsibilities
We're looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Co-op to join our Production Sensory team, supporting sensory evaluation programs that help ensure product quality and consistency across our portfolio. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in sensory science, laboratory operations, data analysis, and quality assurance within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Working alongside Sensory, Quality, Brewing, Packaging, and Operations teams, you'll help generate insights that support product quality, business decisions, and continuous improvement initiatives while developing valuable technical and professional skills.
This position is part of our 6-month Co-op Program, running from January 4, 2027, through June 25, 2027. The role is fully onsite at our Milton Brewery location, with team members expected to work five days per week on-site.
Key Responsibilities
- Sensory Panel Leadership
- Lead sensory panel activities, including sample collection, testing creation, panel execution, and sensory data analysis.
- Support discrimination testing, descriptive analysis, lexicon development, and sensory program administration.
- Assist with communicating sensory findings and recommendations to stakeholders across the business.
- Maintain sensory laboratory organization, cleanliness, and compliance with established procedures.
- Manage inventory of sensory supplies, consumables, and testing materials.
- Support equipment maintenance, calibration activities, and overall lab readiness.
- Analyze sensory data, identify trends, and support reporting and dashboard development.
- Participate in process optimization projects, SOP development, and sensory program enhancements.
- Support quality improvement initiatives and investigations through sensory evaluation and data-driven insights.
- Work closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Brewing, Packaging, Innovation, and Operations teams to support business needs and decision-making.
- Participate in team meetings, project discussions, and continuous improvement activities.
- Contribute to projects that connect sensory science with product quality and consumer experience.
- Must continue to be enrolled in school upon completion of the co-op.
- Must be 21 years of age or older.
- Strong scientific foundation with an interest in sensory science, quality assurance, or food and beverage manufacturing.
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds and stand for extended periods of time.
- Currently pursuing a degree in Brewing, Psychology, Food Science & Technology, Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
- Previous sensory, laboratory, or brewery operations experience preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Experience with Compusense, XLSTAT, or other sensory and statistical analysis software is a plus.
- Interest in sensory science, quality systems, consumer research, and manufacturing operations.
- Hands-on experience applying sensory science in a fast-paced production environment while developing both technical and professional competencies.
- Mentorship from the Sensory Scientist and Production Sensory team, along with exposure to Quality, Brewing, Packaging, Operations, Innovation, and cross-site Sensory teams.
- Experience leading sensory panel execution, discrimination testing, descriptive analysis, sample preparation, panel management, and sensory data interpretation.
- Opportunities to analyze sensory results, evaluate trends, support dashboard development, perform statistical analyses, and communicate findings to stakeholders.
- A deeper understanding of how sensory evaluation supports quality assurance, product release decisions, investigations, and risk management within a manufacturing environment.
- Participation in process optimization projects, SOP development, sensory program enhancements, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Opportunities to work directly with Manufacturing, Quality, Brewing, Packaging, Innovation, and Operations teams to support business needs and decision-making.
- Experience leading an independent project from planning and execution through analysis, recommendations, and final presentation.
- Participation in the Sensory Co-op Learning Series, providing exposure to connected functions such as R&D Sensory, Product Development, Corporate Quality Assurance, and other areas of interest through shadowing opportunities.
- Broad exposure to how sensory science influences quality systems, operational decision-making, consumer experience, and continuous improvement efforts while building a strong foundation for future careers in sensory science, quality, food science, product development, or operations.