Principal Sensory Scientist

Purpose Statement

Rich Products is looking for a Principal Sensory Scientist to join our Research, Innovation, and Compliance (RIC) organization. This role is a subject matter expert (SME) within Sensory and Consumer Science that will drive consumer centricity throughout cross-functional and cross-regional innovation and renovation processes to help deliver Rich’s business goals and growth ambition.
 
This role will be based at our WHQ in Buffalo, NY, with expected travel of up to 25% per year.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

• Serve as a trusted advisor and recognized consumer and sensory expert to lead complex, strategic projects in a US and global context that have broad-based implications across R&D, the business and across categories. Cultivate foundational knowledge to accelerate and deepen understanding of ingredients, processes, products, packaging and consumers.  
• Utilize mastership of foundational and advanced design of experiment techniques and their application to escalate Innovation and Renovation impact, efficiency & agility. Utilize advanced market research approaches as decision tools to enhance innovation / renovation products that are differentiated in the marketplace. Design Consumer Research Framework for Core, Adjacent and Transformational innovation opportunities and execute consumer and sensory research that closes the knowledge gap of our innovation opportunities, challenges, markets, consumers, products, and processes.
• Build and enhance functional capabilities and ensure cross-functional execution of global consumer centric sensory programs. Lead the implementation of these programs across all research and development & manufacturing sites, locally and globally. 
• Ensure mastership and full utilization of internal sensory discrimination panels.  Support development of descriptive analysis panels and advance validation procedures. Develop panel performance KPI’s to ensure the highest level of integrity and results are obtained through their use.
• Frequently mentors associates within sensory and R&D teams (i.e. international, joint ventures) and conducts training to develop and enhance their technical knowledge and expertise. 
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with RIC CoEs, Marketing, Insights, Finance and Supply Chain to ensure technical feasibility and market relevance for consumer platforms. Leverages financial acumen to ensure cost-effectiveness is built into product design and ROCS.
• Creates and recommends Sensory IP strategy and roadmap for data to develop LLM / AI modeling capabilities. 
• Represents the company with outside vendors, suppliers, universities, associations and governmental agencies. Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information.
• Performs related responsibilities, as needed, to support Rich Products Corporation's business objectives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• University graduate with a degree in food science, sensory evaluation, sensory science, psychology, consumer science, marketing research, nutrition or statistics required. 
• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of industrial/applied research experience.
• Master’s degree with 8+ years of industrial/applied research experience.
• Ph.D. with 7+ years of industrial/applied research experience.

• Ability to drive organizational change and foster a culture of innovation.

• Strong track record of innovation within consumer-packaged goods and foodservice within the food industry.
• Subject matter expert in consumer, sensory, and market research techniques applied across the organization- from early ideation to post launch assessment, in business and R&D contexts, Expert knowledge of and research experience in sensory perception including:
o    Discrimination testing
o    Descriptive analysis (including temporal methods)
o    Consumer methods (qualitative and quantitative)
o    Methods development & design thinking
o    Statistics (Univariate, Multivariate, etc.)
o    Design of Experiments
o    Panel recruitment and maintenance
o    Panelists validation, training and motivation
o    External agency management
o    Application of sensory techniques in quality, QA and compliance
• Senior-level sensory leadership within R&D innovation teams.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Experience working with global and remote teams.
• Strong business results orientation with a focus on measurable impact.
• Expertise with digital Sensory and Market research tools (Compusense, Recollective, Suzy), as well as statistical analysis software (Minitab, R, SAS etc.)

Work Environment & Safety Notice
•    Research and Development laboratories are not food-allergen-free environments. Individuals with severe food allergies should consider this before applying.
•    Employees may occasionally be exposed to Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) detergents through smell or incidental contact during routine operations.
•    Exposure to food ingredients, chemicals, and cleaning agents is expected; appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety training will be provided to minimize risks.
•    Work may occur in varying temperature environments, including refrigerated and heated areas.

Physical Requirements
•    Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs safely.
•    Stand for 6 or more hours during the workday, with opportunities for sitting.
•    Regular bending, stooping, crouching, and reaching to access equipment, materials, and storage areas.
•    Ability to work in confined spaces and at various heights, including occasional climbing of ladders or steps.
•    Push, pull, and maneuver carts, bins, and equipment, including heavy items with the assistance of mechanical aids when necessary.
•    Manual dexterity and fine motor skills for handling small components and operating precision instruments.
•    Ability to use hand tools and equipment safely and effectively as required for operating various laboratory or production equipment.
•    Sensory ability to compare and distinguish differences in ingredients, materials, and products through taste, smell, touch, and visual inspection.
•    Ability to follow all safety protocols, including proper lifting techniques and ergonomic practices.