Sr. Sensory Scientist

Johnsonville Location:

Tech Center Johnsonville's research & development (R D) team is where our commitment to innovation has a distinctly scientific flavor. As a member of our R D team, you'll be responsible for continually finding new ways to improve upon current Johnsonville products and develop new ones. You and your teammates will use the latest consumer trend data to bring new and exciting flavors to the marketplace. You may also have opportunities to work with regulatory and other experts to design new and innovative packaging for our products.

Position Overview Johnsonville has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Sensory Scientist to join the Product Insights team within Research & Development. In this role, you will act as a strategic thought partner to Consumer Insights, Innovation, Product Development, and Marketing—leveraging advanced Sensory Science to inform new product concepts, guide development decisions, and help build a differentiated, winning product portfolio. This position is instrumental in uncovering consumer preferences, identifying key drivers of liking, and translating complex Sensory data into clear, actionable insights. The result is the delivery of superior products across new platforms, line extensions, and the core business—strengthening Johnsonville's competitive advantage and reinforcing brand leadership.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret product research across a broad range of methodologies, adapting and developing custom approaches aligned to business objectives.
• Partner with internal teams and external vendors to guide decisions and continuously elevate research capabilities and impact.
• Apply qualitative and quantitative techniques—including prototyping, category reviews/benchmarking, and sensory fingerprinting—to evaluate new product ideas in exploratory and ambiguous spaces.
• Operate effectively at the front end of innovation, helping teams learn quickly through iterative testing and experimentation.
• Shape product direction early by applying deep expertise in Sensory Science, Food Science and Product Research to influence concepts, formulations, and positioning.
• Lead multiple projects with strong project management skills, serving as a Sensory Subject Matter Expert on cross functional teams.
• Build trusted relationships and influence partners across Marketing, Consumer Insights, Product Development, Manufacturing, Food Safety Quality, Engineering, and Packaging.
• Develop practical solutions to complex research challenges while maintaining high standards for data quality and business impact.
• Communicate insights clearly to technical and non technical audiences, confidently presenting recommendations to support data driven decisions.
• Mentor and develop other Johnsonville members, strengthening organizational capability and establishing yourself as a trusted Sensory expert across the business.
• Develop the capability to provide a strategic vison and effectively lead Product Insight team members.
• Become recognized within Johnsonville and the food industry as a world class Senior Scientist as a result of your accomplishments, continuous learning and leadership abilities.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Chemistry, or a related field with 8-10 years of experience in Sensory Science required; or Master's degree with a focus in Sensory Science and 3-5 years of relevant experience; or PhD with a focus in Sensory Science and 1-2 years of relevant experience.

Experience

• Experience in a large, complex food organization preferred (Fortune 100 experience a plus).
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem solving skills with hands on expertise in sensory methodologies, including discrimination, descriptive, and consumer testing.
• Proficiency with sensory research software platforms such as RedJade, Compusense, or similar tools.
• Solid food industry knowledge, including ingredient functionality, formulation, processing, and manufacturing; meat industry experience preferredSkills
• Proven ability to communicate insights effectively through clear written reports, presentations, and visual storytelling for both technical and non technical audiences.
• Strong written, verbal, and graphical communication skills, including the development of compelling presentation decks.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, enabling fact based decision making across diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, personal growth, and professional development.
• Effective problem solver with the ability to collaborate and contribute within a team based environment.

Other Requirements Benefits and Compensation Members have potential for a monthly bonus and 401k with a company match. Members also have access to terrific benefits including affordable medical, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; disability and life insurance; and fertility and adoption assistance. Johnsonville also offers competitive paid time off, including paid parental time off! Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location. Applicants must be eligible to work in the country where this job is located, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future. About our Company Since 1945, our family-owned band of sausage-makers has invented better ways to make, eat and prepare crave-able sausage. Today, we are 4,000+ Members strong. We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries. We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally. We call it The Johnsonville Way. It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself! Johnsonville is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability. We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.