Senior Sensory Scientist

Tyson Foods • Springdale, AR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Sensory Scientist I leads the sensory learning agenda for specific initiatives within brands and categories and serves as a strategic business partner. The role contributes to product innovation, from exploring sensory cues through validating products, and helps ensure flagship products meet long-standing consumer quality expectations. It identifies new methods and approaches to continuously improve and elevate the sensory function. In collaboration with R&D, Marketing, and Consumer Insights, the position provides insights that inform business decisions across supported businesses.

The position is based in Springdale, Arkansas, in Greater NWA. Relocation support may be provided to qualifying candidates under Tyson’s Relocation Policy. The role has no direct reports, may involve travel up to 25%, and is designated first shift.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Sensory, Food Science, Psychology, or a related field.
• Proficiency in food or meat science.
• Industry experience of at least 6 years with a bachelor’s degree, 4 years with a master’s degree, or 2 years with a Ph.D.
• Skills in Food Science and Sensory Science.
• Advanced data analysis, including design of experiments and category appraisals.
• Qualitative and quantitative research skills.
• New methods development.
• Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Project management and budget management skills.
• Leadership, independence, strategic agility, holistic thinking, influence, collaboration, analytical thinking, risk assessment, prioritization, troubleshooting, and mentoring skills.
• Willingness and ability to perform the physical requirements of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree, Ph.D., or Sensory Certification.
• Experience managing and/or mentoring junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead sensory learning agendas for strategic and tactical initiatives and provide perspective on their potential long-term business impact.
• Balance hybrid research approaches with existing knowledge and understanding of key sensory attributes to deliver actionable guidance to R&D.
• Translate consumer expectations to support functional product development and assessment of new technologies.
• Interact with leadership, share key insights, and advise on product-related challenges.
• Work through ambiguous situations with manager assistance and adapt to evolving business needs.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with Product Development, Consumer Insights, Marketing, Culinary, Packaging, Quality, and external research vendors.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and evolve the sensory function while supporting personal development.
• Manage the sensory budget and prioritize immediate and forward-looking strategic needs with manager support.
• Champion the consumer product quality program and recommend actions for strategic planning.
• Stay current on research techniques through conferences, research materials, and industry experts, and apply methods new to Tyson using a test-and-learn approach as appropriate.
• Motivate, engage, train, and mentor junior team members.
• Use approved AI tools responsibly, safeguard sensitive information, follow company policies, validate outputs, and apply professional judgment when integrating AI into daily work.

Benefits

• Paid time off.
• 401(k) plans.
• Affordable health, life, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.
• Relocation assistance may be available to candidates who qualify under the company policy.

What This Job Offers

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