Nestlé’s Research & Development Center is our regional powerhouse driving innovation in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical science. Backed by our global Nestlé R&D organization, we lead breakthrough discoveries that are both good for consumers and the planet. Our team of experts range from product developers to engineers, working across our portfolio of food, beverage, infant nutrition, and health science to create leading-edge products and services. As part of our organization, you will use your entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence to unlock the power of food and provide premium value.   

Nestlé Development Center Marysville is one of the longest-standing R&D centers in Nestlé’s worldwide network. Here, we are the home of great coffee innovation - we provide technical development expertise for beverage products, working on well renowned brands Starbuck’s, Coffee-Mate, Nescafe and Blue Bottle.  Whether it is in terms of convenience, health or pleasure, we are committed to creating delicious beverages for our consumers. We make a difference with our passion for coffee. 

The Nestlé Development Center in Marysville is responsible for the ideation, renovation, and development of new and existing coffee and coffee enhancing products, business models, and services for the world’s biggest coffee brands. Our mission is to delight the consumer wherever, whenever, and however by delivering moments of genuine pleasure and indulgence - to achieve this we are committed to our talented, creative, and motivated team.  If you are excited and passionate about coffee and its potential, come join us and help create the future. We are on the lookout for a Sensory Specialist to manage descriptive sensory panels, lead sensory tests in collaboration with Technicians and Sensory & Product Experience Specialists, and contribute to turning statistical data into insights to guide successful product development.  The Sensory Specialist contributes panel training expertise and product knowledge to ensure panels deliver high quality data with actionable insights in a dynamic, international environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Partner with Sensory & Product Experience Specialists to select appropriate sensory methodologies for specific business needs
• Organize and lead descriptive panel sessions with excellence
• Lead screening, recruitment, and training of new sensory panelists
• Design and conduct sensory training sessions, creating, managing, and applying sensory references
• Ensure high data quality by monitoring panel performance, identifying gaps and addressing them
• Create and maintain sensory glossaries in alignment with global guidelines
• Train and supervise Sensory Technicians, ensuring proper sample preparation and serving according to test design
• Design internal validation studies
• Analyze and summarize sensory data with a focus on translating technical findings into business recommendations
• Create and deploy sensory protocols and specifications for new products
• Support maintenance of sensory lab equipment and supplies
• Participate in special projects to evolve current practices, either internally or with the extended global sensory community

Job Qualifications (Minimum Education, Experience, and Knowledge)

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Psychology or related field; Master’s degree with emphasis in Sensory Science preferred
• Experience in descriptive panel moderation
• Experience with sensory statistical analysis and reporting
• Three or more years of experience in Consumer and Sensory Research with application of a wide range of techniques
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Good interpersonal/teamwork skills and a good understanding of business/technical interrelationships. Excellent planning, organization, and project management abilities.
• Dynamic, proactive, and flexible with an entrepreneurial spirit
• Focus on Consumer-Centricity and Product Perception
• Experience in the coffee and beverage category a plus.
• Solid written and oral communication skills and can cater content for various audiences
• Strong computer skills (MS-Office applications, statistical software, and sensory data collection software)
• Fluent in English (written and spoken)
• Ability to travel (10-15% domestically and internationally)

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To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

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