SENSORY SPECIALIST

Conducts product testing with consumer and employee panelists.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
? Manages the planning and implementation of employee discrimination panels including building and maintaining the employee panel database, coordinating and participating in new panelist and refresher training programs, scheduling panels and managing panelist incentives, programming data collection software, entering products and projects into a database, editing data and conducting routine data analysis, and drafting reports.
? Manages the planning and implementation of domestic and international consumer product research projects within the C&PI group including preparing research proposals, selecting suppliers, screener and questionnaire development, communicating with the test sites to ensure proper procedures are followed, communicating with legal to gain regulatory approval for testing, ordering supplies and test products required for testing, and creating efficient processes and plans for conducting consumer research.
? Analyzes operating practices and procedures and develops recommendations to improve efficiency.
? Works as a team member in managing descriptive testing and training of outside groups in evaluation techniques. This individual will be required to fill in on an as needed basis when others require assistance.
? Trains and guides the Lab Assistant on the lab procedures and is responsible for clear communication with Lab Assistant on test requirements and expectations.
? Responsible for understanding and complying with applicable quality, environmental and safety regulatory considerations.
? If accountable for the work of others, responsible for ensuring their understanding and compliance.
? Must maintain satisfactory attendance to include timeliness.
? This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
? Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in Food Technology, Marketing Research, Experimental Psychology or equivalent from four-year college or university, minimum 2 years of experience preferably in a product or sensory testing experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

SKILLS
? Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
? Must possess knowledge of basic MS Excel and MS Word.
? Ability to type 35-40 w.p.m.
? Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory and factor analysis.
? Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw solid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
? Ability to perform work that is complex and varied in nature, requiring frequent evaluation, originality or ingenuity.
? Ability to resolve most questions and problems and refer only the most complex issues too higher levels.
? Must possess knowledge and ability to use the fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of this particular field of specialization.
? Ability to travel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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http://jobs.gallo.com/careers/CareersHome.asp

Equal Employment Opportunity
  EEO/AA M/F/V/D