Sensory Panel Lead

Sensory Panel Lead Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Job Details Full-time $80,000 - $85,000 a year 1 day ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Qualifications Vendor relationship building Research design Teamwork Bachelor's degree in food science Vendor management New product development 5 years Regulatory compliance Data reporting Technical report writing Master's degree Data quality management Team development Market research Food Science Sensory evaluation Bachelor's degree Continuous improvement Team management Scientific protocols Mentoring Vendor relationship management Experimental design Chemistry Presentation creation Product strategy Data validation Laboratory management Benchmarking Senior level Research and development project management Cross-functional collaboration Research findings presentation Project leadership Research & development Leadership Communication skills Project stakeholder communication Bachelor's degree in chemistry Stakeholder relationship building Cross-functional communication Statistical analysis tools Stakeholder management Full Job Description At Sweegen, we view health & wellness not just as the powerful outcome of our products, but at the core to every aspect of our business. We specialize in providing solutions that are revolutionizing the food, beverage, pharma and supplement industries. This is made possible by our Creative Team who have patented our nature-derived production processes that are also highly sustainable. Our portfolio, which include taste modulation, taste solutions and our Signature stevia catalog, have been confirmed safe for use by the FDA (GRAS) and certified as non-GMO. At Sweegen, we view wellness not just as the powerful outcome of our products, but as core to every aspect of our business. We are a rapidly growing entrepreneurial company, and the Sweegen Product Development Team are key leaders in this purpose driven process. Our Team are visionaries that share an insatiable curiosity and optimism about the future. The Team is expanding and we are looking to add a Sensory Panel Lead, who shares our values and vision. This role provides an excellent opportunity to showcase both your technical skills and innovation capabilities all while working in an engaging environment that provides equal amounts of challenges, growth opportunities, and support. Please learn more about our company at www.sweegen.com Position Summary We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior Sensory Panel Leader to lead our sensory evaluation programs across our North America food and beverage portfolio. This role will oversee external sensory panels, drive best-in-class methodologies, and deliver robust data analysis and reporting to support product innovation, quality, and commercialization. The ideal candidate brings strong sensory external consumer panel leadership experience along with a solid foundation in flavor evaluation and systems. Key Responsibilities Lead the design, execution, and analysis of sensory studies supporting North America product development, including descriptive analysis, discrimination testing, and consumer research Analyze sensory and consumer data using statistical tools to identify meaningful insights and trends Manage and partner with external sensory vendors and consumer research agencies, including study design alignment, execution oversight, and data quality validation Serve as the primary point of contact for external panel partners, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and quality expectations are met Partner with cross-functional teams (R D, product development, marketing, quality) to support product evaluation and optimization Apply knowledge of flavor systems and flavor performance to support product development and benchmarking Develop and maintain sensory lexicons, standards, and evaluation protocols aligned with regional consumer preferences Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports and presentations that translate complex data into actionable recommendations Effectively communicate results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders to support decision-making Provide sensory input into product strategy, ensuring alignment with North American consumer expectations Drive continuous improvement of sensory methodologies, tools, and vendor partnerships Ensure all sensory activities comply with company standards and regional regulatory requirements Manage sensory lab operations, panel performance, and data integrity Mentor and develop junior team members Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Sensory Science, Chemistry, or related field (Master's preferred) 5+ years of experience in sensory science within the food & beverage industry Strong experience leading both internal and external sensory panels and consumer research programs Experience managing third-party sensory vendors or external research partners Working knowledge of flavor systems, ingredients, and sensory impact in food and beverage applications Proven expertise in data analysis, statistical interpretation, and technical report writing Proficiency with sensory and statistical tools Understanding of North American consumer preferences and market trends Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Strong leadership, organizational, and project management capabilities Preferred Qualifications Experience collaborating with multiple teams and adapting methodologies across regions Background across multiple product categories (e.g., beverages, dairy, snacks, plant-based) Experience working with flavor suppliers or cross-functional innovation teams Key Competencies Strong sensory science expertise and panel leadership Experience managing external partners and vendor relationships Solid understanding of flavor perception and product performance Advanced analytical thinking and data storytelling Excellent report writing and presentation skills Cross-functional collaboration and influence Attention to detail and scientific rigor Leadership and team development

Pay:

$80,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person