Regional Sensory Manager - Americas

Tate & Lyle • Hoffman Estates, IL

1d

About The Position

Regional Sensory Manager - Americas Position Overview Under the direction and supervision of the Global Sensory Director with dotted line reporting to Technical Regional Lead, the Regional Sensory Manager will partner with Regional Innovation & Commercial 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. The Regional sensory manager will be responsible for developing and mentoring Sensory Research & Principal Scientists within the region.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science/technlogy/Engineering or Sensory related field (examples: statistics, consumer science, cognitive behavior).
• 10-15 years’ years of experience in CPG field, in the Food and Beverage industry preferred.
• 1-5 years' experience managing and developing scientist
• 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
• Deep expertise in a broad range of sensory and consumer research techniques
• Experience with Sensory Spectrum Methodology and descriptive panel management
• 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
• Customer focused and solution-oriented approach
• Experience of working with strict health and safety protocols in a laboratory environment is essential
• Enthusiastic about food.
• Customer focused and solution-oriented approach

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree in Sensory Science is preferred.
• Strong preference for Spanish-speaking bilingual

Responsibilities

• Manage local sensory scientist to ensure execution of sensory research and consumer testing.
• Partner with Regional Technical Manager and Regional Category Development & Planning leads to drive, develop and execute regional sensory strategies.
• Collaborate with Global Applications Director and Platform Director to develop, drive, and execute strategic support needs to support New Product Development and Innovation specific to Regional needs.
• Own and manage the Regional Descriptive Program for the region, managing the day to day responsibilities and priorities, including scheduling of test requirements with Project Managers and panel lead
• Act as subject matter expert to advise on correct methodologies and lead sensory research to meet project objectives of internal partners and external customers.
• Lead gap assessment in regional practices and 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 to visualize sensory data.
• Ensure best in class regional and global sensory expertise by reviewing scientific literature and keeping up with new trends, technology, regulation, and methodology in sensory evaluation.
• Train, develop and mentor other sensory scientists, technical service and commercial partner.
• Protect intellectual property by following policies and best practices in knowledge management, IP execution, and information sharing.
• Represent Tate & Lyle by presenting research findings in Science and Education Outreach events and scientific conferences.
• Lead continuous improvement activities driven by Tate & Lyle behaviors focused on curiosity and creating flow.
• Provide clear and timely communication synthesize multiple data sources into meaningful information and present actionable research findings while interfacing broadly with key internal stakeholders and external customers.
• Act as member of the site management team, influencing site strategy with a strong emphasis on employee well-being, ED&I along with EHSQS activities.
• 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.
• Lead regional strategic planning and continuous improvements to elevate regional sensory capabilities including facility layout, technology updated, and method development.
• Work closely with Global leadership to implement approaches to improve efficiency, clarity, accuracy, and reproducibility of sensory study and data analysis.
• Define sensory and consumer research objectives to support short- and long-term initiatives
• Develop research proposals to meet business needs.
• Accountable for accuracy and consistently of 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

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision coverages
• Paid time off package, including vacation, sick time, and 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• 401K with company match
• Company paid life insurance
• Additional benefits at not cost to employee such as: Lifestyle Spending Account, Identity Theft protection, Employee Assistance Program, telemedicine and more!

What This Job Offers

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