Job Information
Whole Foods Market Principal Sensory Program Manager in Austin, Texas
Job DescriptionStep into the electrifying role of Principal Sensory Program Manager at Whole Foods Market, where innovation meets taste sensation! Lead our Exclusive Brand product development, collaborating with stakeholders to exceed expectations and drive growth. Uncover the secrets of flavor and texture alongside expert panels, delivering insights that shape the future of food. Get ready for a thrilling adventure – as the Principal Sensory Program Manager, you're not just shaping the way we eat, you're shaping the way we experience food at Whole Foods Market!
Additional Information:
This role will observe the 3-day hybrid office model and be based in Austin, TX.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Manage the s ensory program s , including descriptive analysis panel and internal consumer panel
Work with stakeholders to define complex business objectives and s elect the most appropriate research methodology and study design
Manage descriptive analysis panel including training, tracking attendance, scheduling panelists, providing incentives, writing reports, maintaining lexicons, and directing 3 rd party consultants
Recruit, screen, select and train new panelists for descriptive analysis panel as needed
Leads 1-2 Sensory Analysts who are responsible for preparing for and executing sensory panels
Manage internal consumer panel including recruiting, scheduling, questionnaire development, executing the test s , tracking attendance and providing incentives
Perform statistical analysis on internal consumer data
Collaborate with Product Quality team to provide input and feedback where requested
Collaborate with the Whole Foods Market Data Team and 3 rd party resources to ensure appropriate statistical methods are used
Collaborate with Whole Foods Market Category Analytics and Consumer Insights Teams to ensure research questions are fully defined and cross-functional learnings are communicated appropriately
Develop, review and present the analyses and reports ensuring accuracy, logical consistency and value-added
Manage sensory requests from different a reas of the business and ensure timelines are met
Lead the development and implementation of processes, procedures and programs for sensory
Lead the sensory team in keeping sensory methods up to date, reviewing literature and connecting with peers in the sensory field
Translate complex topics into plain language and teach sensory evaluation concepts and techniques to the Exclusive Brands team and other teams within the company
Educate Exclusive Brands suppliers on sensory quality programs through the Whole Foods Market Sensory Conformance Program and work with 3 rd parties as necessary to train suppliers
Prepare products as necessary for sensory evaluation
Perform other miscellaneous sensory duties as necessary
Requirements and Qualifications
6-8 years’ experience working in sensory science
BS Food Science, Sensory Science, Psychology or similar field. Advance degree a plus.
Must have knowledge of sensory science as it relates to consumer packaged goods products
Must have p roven ability to deliver research outcomes in a timely fashion
Must have experience training and leading a descriptive panel
Must have consumer research experience
Must be willing to sample and evaluate all types of food and beverages
Must be detail oriented and extremely organized
Must possess excellent communication skills and possess the ability to exc el in cross-functional team setting s
Must have c omputer proficiency and familiarity with most Microsoft Office applications , especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Must have strong leadership skills and the ability to manage other team members
Must have i n-depth understanding of sensory science and related business processes
Must be able to drive execution by balancing resource constraints while being a champion for excellence
Must be able to translate sensory science principles into research practices that work for the business
Preferences
Experience working with XLStat , Qualtrics, Survey Monkey, RedJade , SIMS, Compusens e a plus
A passion for food , beverage and strong culinary skills are a plus
General understa nding of product development, manufacturing and commercialization a plus
Good typing skills and accurac y
Strong analytic and statistics skills
Familiarity of Product Lifecycle Management web-based applications a plus
Leadership experience/managing direct reports is a plus
Strong connections to peers in the sensory science field is a plu s
Membership and/or service in IFT and/or Society of Sensory Professionals is a plus
Ability to represent Whole Foods Market at conferences and trade shows is a plus
At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.
Whole Foods Market works with job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter to promote opportunities at our company. Please be aware that other career sites may not be accurate or up to date and may even be fraudulent. We encourage and recommend all candidates to apply via our site.
Who are we? Well, we seek out the finest natural and organic foods available, maintain the strictest quality standards in the industry, and have an unshakeable commitment to sustainable agriculture. Add to that the excitement and fun we bring to shopping for groceries, and you start to get a sense of what we’re all about. Oh yeah, we’re a mission-driven company too.
Whole Foods Market attracts people who are passionate - about great food, about the communities they live in, about how we treat our planet and our fellow humans - and who want to bring their passion into the workplace and make a difference.
Learn more about careers at Whole Foods Market here (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/careers) !
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