Global

Senior Sensory Analyst

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Job Description

The Senior Sensory Analyst supports Exclusive Brand research and development, quality assurance, compliance and marketing. This position is responsible for executing Whole Foods Market’s sensory panels and works with internal stakeholders to provide timely, actionable results that are used to make business decisions. This position works closely with stakeholders to understand complex business objectives and develops solutions to meet needs.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

 

  • Work with stakeholders to define complex business objectives and select the most appropriate research methodology and study design 

  • Manage internal descriptive analysis panels including planning, conduct and lead panels, training, tracking attendance, scheduling panelists, providing incentives, writing reports, maintaining and developing lexicons, and directing 3rd party consultants (as needed). 

  • Manage employee acceptance panels including recruiting, scheduling, questionnaire development, executing the tests, tracking attendance and providing incentives 

  • Review and perform data entry ensuring accuracy and logical consistency  

  • Prepare products and references as necessary for sensory evaluation and training 

  • Perform in depth statistical analysis, translate complex statistics and data into insights for business stakeholders 

  • Report findings from sensory panels to stakeholders and leadership throughout the company, conveying complex data into simple and actionable results using data visualization and storytelling 

  • Manage sensory requests from different areas of the business and ensure timelines are met 

  • Development and implement processes, procedures and programs for sensory 

  • Teach sensory evaluation concepts and techniques to the Exclusive Brands team and other teams within the company 

  • Determine topics for monthly panel training sessions 

  • Recruit, screen, select, and train new panelists for sensory panels in collaboration with the Sensory Program manager 

 

 

Requirements and Qualifications 

 

  • BS Food Science, Sensory Science, Psychology or similar field. Advanced degree a plus. 

  • 4-6 years’ experience working in the sensory science field  

  • Must have knowledge of sensory science as it relates to consumer packaged goods products 

  • Must be detail oriented and extremely organized 

  • Must have proven ability to deliver research outcomes in a timely fashion 

  • Must possess excellent communication skills and possess the ability drive consensus decisions among panel members and gain buy-in from stakeholders 

  • Must have computer proficiency and familiarity with most Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook 

  • Must have in-depth understanding of sensory science and related business processes 

  • Must be able to drive execution by balancing resource constraints while being a champion for excellence 

  • Must be able to translate sensory science principles into research practices that work for the business 

  • Must have descriptive analysis experience and panel leadership experience 

  • Must have consumer research experience 

 

 

 

Preferences 

 

  • Descriptive analysis experience and panel leadership experience a plus 

  • Consumer research experience a plus 

  • Experience working with XLStat, Qualtrics, Compusense, RedJade a plus 

  • A passion for food and strong culinary skills are a plus 

  • General understanding of product development, manufacturing and commercialization a plus 

  • Good typing skills and accuracy 

  • Strong analytic and statistics skills 

  • Membership and/or service in IFT and/or Society of Sensory Professionals is a plus 

  • Experience and familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems a plus 

At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs. Whole Foods Market works with job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to promote opportunities at our company. Please be aware that other career sites may not be accurate or up to date and may even be fraudulent. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our site.