Sensory Scientist

LOCATION: CENTER FOR INNOVATION, WASCO, CALIFORNIA

The Sensory Scientist is responsible for constructing a consumer sensory platform supporting product and market development, product launch, and product stewardship by providing sensory and consumer insights of Sun World’s fruit varieties and key markets. The position will partner across the Sun World global team to develop the program and will be responsible for execution of program deliverables. Please review the list of responsibilities and qualifications. We will consider candidates that do not necessarily meet all the qualifications but that show sufficient experience, talent, and a growth mindset and who will be able to grow in the role, as well as help us grow the program.                                                                                        

PERSONNEL SUPERVISED: Permanent and seasonal labor assisting in data and sample collection

REPORTS TO: Chief Science Officer 

WORKS WITH: Variety Development, Marketing and Licensing teams, Global Technical Services Agronomists and Sun World marketers

HOURS: Full time, 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Work with and lead cross-functional project teams with internal and external stakeholders and collaborators, providing support and guidance on the use and choice of sensory science and consumer methodologies
  • Plan, design, execute, analyze, interpret, review, report, and communicate sensory and consumer testing findings to guide cross-functional team decisions and to develop insights to identify opportunities and address challenges
  • Manage logistics of sample harvest, shipping, and coordinating with internal and external labs
  • Compile sound sensory reports on objective(s), methodologies, and results
  • Interpret results and present them in an appropriate format to stakeholders and provide recommendations
  • Moderate and manage descriptive panels as required
  • Serve as the sensory liaison in business teams and recommend appropriate research methodologies
  • Successfully develop and maintain good ways of working with associates, affiliated labs, and pilot facilities
  • Drive development and adoption of cost-effective research methods and data management
  • Partner with internal teams to ensure all data are captured, stored, and available for data analysis
  • Stay abreast of sensory and consumer science happenings in the industry and share insights and updates with the internal team
  • Manage sensory science budget

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

  • MS in Sensory Science or related discipline and two years of relevant experience or BS with five years of relevant experience
  • Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in sensory science, sensory testing, consumer liking, and preference testing for product development in the food industry (experiences with fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables preferred)
  • Proven ability to conduct advanced statistical data analysis of research data, draw meaningful conclusions, and develop sound strategic directions on the conclusions for product development and product placement/marketing.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to design experiments and conduct sensory research tracking to annual budgets
  • Proven ability to foster innovation, influence, and collaborate with diverse, and global teams
  • Flexible and adaptable; able to be effective in a fast-paced environment
  • Possess a technology and digital-first mindset
  • Ability to work on-site 100% of the time
  • Available for occasional domestic and/or international travel

PREFERRED:

  • Experience with advanced modeling and data management techniques
  • Experience with novel, faster, and/or more cost-effective research methods and data management

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The position is regularly required to sit, use hands-to-finger, handle controls, and talk and hear. The employee is required to stand, walk, and stop. Employee must regularly lift and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus, as well as work with a computer monitor and in the field.

For more information or to apply please send your resume to jpetersen@sun-world.com

Sun World International is a global fruit genetics and licensing company headquartered in Bakersfield, California. At the heart of Sun World’s business is a commitment to developing new fruit varieties that can be grown in a sustainable way and optimized for yield, flavor and appearance. Sun World works with an extended range of fruit crops: table grapes and stone fruit (plums, apricots, cherries, peaches and nectarines) with our sight to improve other fruit categories as well. At Sun World you are part of a global team that values passion, respect, leadership, initiative, courage and authenticity to envision and create the future.

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