We are looking for a Sensory Scientist in a marketing research firm at Ikeja Lagos, The successful candidate will manage and execute sensory and consumer research studies to meet the client objectives by working within the Innovation Planning amp; Strategy team. Study types may include descriptive, discrimination and quantitative consumer research studies.
Job Description
- Lead and conduct single or multi stage projects, delivering to the required standards and agreed timescales, including designing research to meet client objectives, to produce good quality, actionable data, interpreting results, reporting/presenting findings, making recommendations and contributing to decision making. A wide range of sensory science methods may be employed including both qualitative and quantitative.
- Interface with clients to help determine their needs and how to apply sensory science to answer their research question. The clients will include persons from other sensory departments, marketing, quality, product development, and executives.
- Provide insight and support the panel recruitment process and helping to improve and expand the panel database.
- Apply statistical analysis to the data output from studies in order to interpret the results for the client.
- Support project set up and product preparation, when required.
- Provide informal coaching and share experience with more junior colleagues and technicians. Provide guidance and direction to research technicians
- Work to improve all aspects of the department, including functional methodologies, practical solutions and facilities and presenting these ideas in an appropriate way to management.
- Maintain and develop knowledge and expertise in relevant scientific disciplines.
- Conduct local sensory training (including Descriptive Analysis) for internal panelists; Ensure panelist performance through appropriate sensory testing and follow-up training
- Identify external sensory panel options and execute external sensory tests as needed.
- Identify and recommend new sensory methods to support project deliverables and deliver business impact.
- Explore and implement new research methodologies, and continuously improve operational efficiency
- Manage relationships with sensory groups with as part of external collaborations
- Contribute to a safe and environmentally friendly workplace with team spirits
- Contribute to a highly scientific, market focused, and collaborative Ramp;D organization
- Serve as a subject matter expert on project teams, provide technical leadership of research projects.
- Ability to influence key stakeholders on research designs and key deliverables.
- Integrate sensory data with consumer data as needed and make sounding recommendations.
- Moderate consumer co-design groups as needed
- Diligently track sensory amp; consumer spending to ensure that researches are done within budget
Requirements
Position Qualifications:
- B.S. degree in Sensory, Consumer Science, Food Science, Psychology, Behavioral Science, or related field; Advanced degree (M.S. or Msc.) is an added advantage
- 5 years of experience with CPG, Ingredient, Flavor, or Research Supplier with demonstrated track record of increasing responsibility and meaningful business impact.
- Knowledge of chemical and analytical science and techniques and ability to relate analytical results to sensory analysis. Strong applied statistics knowledge and experience is necessary
- Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office software
- Working knowledge of sensory data collection software and statistical analysis tools (e.g. SPSS and XL-STAT).
- Willingness to travel up to 15%.
- Ability to taste food and beverages across the product categories.
- Demonstrated capability in coordinating multi-functional projects, as well as external and internal teams
Key Skills:
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
- Strong knowledge and extensive experience in both sensory (descriptive amp; discriminative) and consumer (qualitative amp; quantitative, multivariate analysis) research. Experience in packaging research is desired. Moderating experience is a plus.
- Strong report writing and presentation skills.
- Solid knowledge and experience in statistics and design of experiment.
- Strong project management skill. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision.
- Ability to build and partner with researcher on client side on test design, execution and results delivery.
- Stays ahead of /scouts new and emerging testing methods; connection with academia and sensory associations.
- Problem solving skills. Creative thinker.
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