Sr. Sensory Scientist

Balchem•Bridgeton, MO

About The Position

The Senior Sensory Scientist will serve as the primary technical resource for sensory science across the Human Nutrition & Health business. This hands-on role will build sensory science capability across HNH through the development and delivery of training for R&D, Quality, and Operations personnel in appropriate sensory testing techniques. The position will design sensory methods, prepare samples, execute sensory evaluations, and interpret and communicate results in the context of project objectives and business goals. The Senior Sensory Scientist will also provide technical guidance to help project teams establish and achieve measurable sensory targets that support product and business objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or a related scientific field with 7+ years of relevant work experience or a Master’s degree with 5+ years of experience in Sensory.
Demonstrated expertise in sensory methods, including descriptive analysis, discrimination testing, consumer testing, panelist training, and shelf-life study design.
Demonstrated ability to translate business and technical questions into appropriate sensory protocols, statistical approaches, decision criteria, and actionable recommendations.
Experience developing, training, calibrating, and maintaining sensory panels, with the ability to ensure method consistency and panel reliability across studies and locations.
Applied statistics expertise required, including analysis and interpretation of sensory, consumer, shelf-life, and related product data.
Working knowledge of product development, analytical testing, ingredient functionality, and chemistry sufficient to partner effectively with R&D, Quality, Operations, and external technical collaborators.
Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, or external technical partners.
Strong interpersonal, collaboration, written and verbal communication, and influencing skills.
Ability to gather, sort, analyze, and report data as well as make recommendations and conclusions
Ability to present data to various levels of employees from entry to executive level
Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems and deliver high-quality results
Ability to learn new categories quickly and provide appropriate guidance.
Demonstrated ability to connect sensory and consumer insights to product development and business decisions.
Proficiency with sensory and statistical software, including Compusense, and standard business applications such as Microsoft Office and SharePoint.
Ability to travel as required to support HNH laboratories, manufacturing locations, customers, and external research partners.

Responsibilities

Lead and champion a culture of safety.
Lead and execute the complete sensory study cycle, including defining objectives, selecting methods, preparing samples, conducting studies, analyzing and interpreting data, maintaining records, and communicating conclusions and recommendations.
Translate business, customer, and project questions into appropriate study designs, statistical approaches, decision criteria, and technically supported conclusions.
Develop sensory science capability across HNH by establishing, training, and validating a network of internal Sensory Champions.
Partner with Sensory Champions to extend appropriate training across HNH and develop, qualify, calibrate, and monitor panelists.
Ensure that established sensory methods are applied consistently across studies and locations.
Build and manage partnerships with external sensory laboratories, universities, and other research partners when internal capabilities or panel capacity are insufficient.
Develop and maintain appropriate sensory procedures, SOPs, study templates, training materials, and best-practice documentation.
Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, Product Management, external research partners, and customers to investigate sensory-related issues and implement technically supported solutions.
Provide sensory science support across HNH laboratories, product platforms, manufacturing locations, and customer programs.
Take an independent and disciplined approach to organizing work, prioritizing tasks, and analyzing problems while identifying additional opportunities to support business priorities.
Apply sensory science expertise and structured problem-solving to simplify complex questions and develop practical, technically supported recommendations.
Lead the development and adoption of consistent sensory methods, practices, and capabilities across HNH, effectively influencing change across functions and locations.
Participate in customer meetings and technical discussions as the sensory science expert when required.
Other duties as assigned.