Manager, Sensory NOAM

ROLE PURPOSE

Under the direction and supervision of the Global Sensory Director, the Sensory Science Manager will partner with New Product Development, Applications, and Technical Service stakeholders to conduct sensory research to drive customer excellence. Utilizing global and regional sensory and consumer research capabilities to derive ingredient, product, and consumer insights for the organization. This role will develop and execute research strategies to inform product performance for new and existing ingredients globally, for the purpose of delivering excellence for the customer.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manage the Descriptive Program for the region, managing the day-to-day responsibilities and priorities, including scheduling of test requirements with Project Managers and panel lead
• Advise on correct methodologies to meet project objectives of internal partners and external customers.
• Demonstrate scientific and technical leadership in sensory research to internal partners and external customers.
• Work closely with leadership to implement approaches to improve efficiency, clarity, accuracy, and reproducibility of sensory study and data analysis.
• Identify insights and trends from metadata analysis, build predictive model, and create interactive toolkit
• Collaborate cross-functionally and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Define sensory and consumer research objectives to support short- and long-term initiatives
• Develop research proposals to meet business needs.
• Review scientific literatures and keep up with the new trend, technology, regulation, and methodology in sensory evaluation
• Mentor, train and develop colleagues within regional and global teams
• Interface broadly with key internal stakeholders and external customers to provide clear and timely communication and interpretation of research findings.
• Protect intellectual properties by following policies and best practices in knowledge management, IP execution, and information sharing
• Promote innovative expertise of Tate & Lyle by presenting research findings in Science and Education Outreach events and scientific conferences
• Accurately and consistently records experimental methods, materials, and results in sensory database
• Contribute to intellectual activities such as drafting invention disclosure and patent application, presenting at scientific conferences, providing sensory training to internal colleagues and external customers.
• Be a consumer advocate on project teams  
• Participate in various company activities, such as safety training, employee survey, safety audits and OSHA training. Present safety topic or safety moment in the meetings.

T&L Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science/technology/Engineering or Sensory related field (examples: statistics, consumer science, cognitive behavior). Master’s Degree in Sensory Science is preferred.
• 10-15 years’ years of Sensory and Consumer Research experience, in the Food and Beverage industry preferred.

• Proficient using Sensory software (i.e., Compusense, EyeQuestion, Fizz, Red Jade, Sims, etc. and Statistical software (i.e. SAS, JMP, XLSTAT), PowerPoint, Excel, Project, Word
• 3-5 years experience managing a team
• Deep expertise in a broad range of sensory and consumer research techniques
• Experience with Sensory Spectrum Methodology and descriptive panel management
• Experience translating/correlating sensory and analytical data
• Customer focused and solution-oriented approach
• Pragmatic, analytical approach, able to adapt to changing business requirements
• Strong background in statistics and data science applied to sensory and consumer data

• Solid communication skills including ability to write concise, informative reports and verbally present complex technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to listen and identify project objectives and influence research plan to do the correct sensory and/or consumer studies at the right time thereby increasing the success rate.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, including knowledge of project management principles.
• Ability to apply tools and techniques to develop/plan, manage or execute multiple projects/work plans and ensure successful completion (e.g., on time, on budget).
• Self-motivated with ability to effectively focus and motivate resources
• Able to build good relationships with multi-cultural colleagues and from multiple functions
• Be comfortable with ambiguity and fast-moving timelines
• Experience using Design Thinking and Agile methodologies is a plus
• Fluen