Associate Sensory Scientist

Lactalis LAG • Buffalo, NY

2d • $62,500 - $65,000

About The Position

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose. At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed. As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together. In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®. At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued. Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy. From your PASSION to ours Lactalis USA, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a, Associate Sensory Scientist, based in Buffalo, NY. The Associate Sensory Scientist is a functional role supporting and maintaining the Lactalis Passion for Taste program under the guidance of the Associate Sensory Manager. This position is responsible for assisting the execution of the sensory expert panels, implementation of trained factory panels and support the evaluation of business directed R&D sensory panels For our STORY to yours: Key duties and responsibilities include: · Coordinate the Sensory Experts Panels on a weekly basis: prepare surveys and samples, set up room for tasting sessions and prepare technical reports using appropriate statistical methods using best practices. · Support training for various dairy category products with the Sensory Expert Panels and propose action plans to improve panel qualification of all sensory attributes. · Evaluate the Sensory Expert Panel performance periodically and assist the recruitment of new panelists as needed, following Lactalis Global guidelines. · Prepare monthly technical report of pillar product performance to be submitted to Lactalis Global QA and internal Quality, Marketing, and R&D cross-teams. · Maintain an updated database of the various tests of products as well as selection, training and performance evaluation of the Sensory Expert Panels, plus all other relevant information. · Procure commercially available dairy products on a weekly basis for use by Sensory Expert Panels, functionality and application testing, and other tastings. · Provide panel attendance to account payable team for panelist compensation on a weekly basis and submit expense reports of sample purchase and other materials. · Provide support to manufacturing plants to implement and maintain the Factory Sensory Panels, including training of Sensory Coordinators, creation of SOPs and the monthly report. · Alert plant and corporate quality teams regarding negative trends in product performance results by both expert and factory trained panels. · Assist the Marketing Department during consumer test (60/40, Preference Mapping, etc.). Be part of the sample collection and validation through the Sensory Expert Panel prior to the test. Contribute to verify that the consumer test is done following best practices. · Support R&D and Marketing teams by providing technical guidance and sensory evaluation for special projects as needed. · Support the culinary manager with product functionality evaluations and/or development of new recipes as needed. · Work with Corporate Quality Director and R&D to organize Executive Leadership Team monthly product tasting sessions. · Travel to manufacturing plants and headquarters office on a regular basis to provide support to Factory Sensory Panels and meet with Corporate Quality Director. · Provide technical assistance as needed during investigation related to quality issues or other special projects. · Travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required. · This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. · To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided. · Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree or higher preferred; or equivalent experience to include a minimum of five (5) years job related experience
• Ideally candidate must have Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or related field with education and experience in Sensory Evaluation, Dairy Technology and Statistics.
• 2+ years related experience required
• Experience in Food Industry preferred
• Must have some experience with conducting sensory testing, setup and interpretation of results.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of statistics
• Strong attention to detail and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Need to be able to work independently and in teams, with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines within specified time constraints.
• Ability to operate in a transversal environment, across multiple departments.
• Ability to adapt in a changing work environment.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the Sensory Experts Panels on a weekly basis: prepare surveys and samples, set up room for tasting sessions and prepare technical reports using appropriate statistical methods using best practices.
• Support training for various dairy category products with the Sensory Expert Panels and propose action plans to improve panel qualification of all sensory attributes.
• Evaluate the Sensory Expert Panel performance periodically and assist the recruitment of new panelists as needed, following Lactalis Global guidelines.
• Prepare monthly technical report of pillar product performance to be submitted to Lactalis Global QA and internal Quality, Marketing, and R&D cross-teams.
• Maintain an updated database of the various tests of products as well as selection, training and performance evaluation of the Sensory Expert Panels, plus all other relevant information.
• Procure commercially available dairy products on a weekly basis for use by Sensory Expert Panels, functionality and application testing, and other tastings.
• Provide panel attendance to account payable team for panelist compensation on a weekly basis and submit expense reports of sample purchase and other materials.
• Provide support to manufacturing plants to implement and maintain the Factory Sensory Panels, including training of Sensory Coordinators, creation of SOPs and the monthly report.
• Alert plant and corporate quality teams regarding negative trends in product performance results by both expert and factory trained panels.
• Assist the Marketing Department during consumer test (60/40, Preference Mapping, etc.). Be part of the sample collection and validation through the Sensory Expert Panel prior to the test. Contribute to verify that the consumer test is done following best practices.
• Support R&D and Marketing teams by providing technical guidance and sensory evaluation for special projects as needed.
• Support the culinary manager with product functionality evaluations and/or development of new recipes as needed.
• Work with Corporate Quality Director and R&D to organize Executive Leadership Team monthly product tasting sessions.
• Travel to manufacturing plants and headquarters office on a regular basis to provide support to Factory Sensory Panels and meet with Corporate Quality Director.
• Provide technical assistance as needed during investigation related to quality issues or other special projects.
• Travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required.

Benefits

• At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options.
• We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one.
• We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level