As R&D Sensory Technician & Internal Panel Leader, you contribute to the delivery of reliable, high?quality sensory data by supporting external sensory panel activities and by leading internal sensory panels for Technical Acceptance and Shelf-Life studies.
You operate in full compliance with sensory laboratory good practices and ensure
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robust execution, data quality, and first-level analysis and reporting. You work in close collaboration with the Sensory Operations team, the Sensory & Product Experience (SPX) team, Manufacturing, Product Developers, and Project Managers to support R&D and factory decision-making.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Sensory Technician ? External Panels
· Support the Panel Leader and Sensory Analyst in the operational delivery of sensory testing with external panels, in compliance with sensory laboratory best practices.
· Organize sensory sessions based on defined protocols (product preparation, coding, sensory room setup).
· Set up, copy, and deploy sensory sessions in EyeQuestion when required, acting as a backup for Panel Leader & Sensory Analyst.
· Provide samples to external panelists during on?site sessions when relevant.
· Manage products under test, including procurement, storage, disposal, and associated compliance documentation.
2. Internal Panel Leader ? Technical Acceptance & Shelf-Life
· Lead internal sensory panels for Technical Acceptance and Shelf-Life studies in response to business needs.
· Screen, train, and monitor validated internal panelists; maintain all panel-related and performance records.
· Organize and conduct internal sensory sessions (product preparation, coding, sensory room setup) using EyeQuestion.
· Monitor panel performance and data quality on a routine basis; initiate corrective and improvement actions when required.
· Challenge product selection and sensory methodologies in line with study objectives and shelf-life designs, with SPX support.
· Contribute to first-level sensory analysis for simple sensory studies (e.g. comparative profiling, shelf-life studies, agile sensory methods such as DoD or RATA).
· Provide clear conclusions and actionable recommendations to requestors and stakeholders.
· Manage products under test, including procurement, storage, disposal, and compliance documentation.
3. Laboratory, Materials & Facilities
· Ensure compliance with sensory laboratory good practices and safe laboratory behavior.
· Maintain sensory equipment and facilities clean, organized, and operational.
· Order materials and supplies as required; suggest continuous improvements to laboratory organization and processes.
· Coordinate minor renovation or improvement work within the sensory laboratories.
