The National Food Lab is a fast-growing company with a vision to be the destination for tailored solutions for the food industry – beginning to end.   Our mission is to provide services that help food, beverage, and supplement companies deliver safe, healthy and successful products.  We seek to make a positive impact in the advancement of food safety, quality and nutrition, fulfilling our corporate promise – to improve health and improve lives.

The National Food Lab’s best-in-class consumer and sensory research capabilities are the result of the acquisition and combination of two long-standing and respected organizations, the former Food Perspectives, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN) and National Food Lab (Livermore, CA).  Using a variety of quantitative and qualitative consumer and sensory research techniques we help our clients make products consumers love.  We help our clients:

• Develop new product ideas
• Re-energize a well-established product
• Assess product-concept fit or packaging effectiveness
• Understand the product, brand and category competitive landscapes
• Present objective results to management

The National Food Lab is expanding services at its MN location with the addition of descriptive / trained panel sensory and sensory shelf life capabilities.  The Sensory Scientist Panel Leader is critical to the success of this new service. 

The statements below reflect the general responsibilities and requirements of the Sensory Scientist Panel Leader position but may not describe all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

Reporting to a Sensory Program Director, this position is responsible for the daily management of Descriptive Analysis (DA) panel(s) including supervision of panelists, leading training of panelists, planning of studies, study design and execution and reporting.  This position may serve as a key client contact for DA projects.

Success in this role will be determined by the candidate's scientific expertise, detailed orientation, ability to work with others as a team, and customer service orientation.

• Daily management of DA panel(s) including panel leadership, panel training, panel monitoring and panel motivation
• Planning of DA studies, study design, execution and reporting
• Support special requests/projects per client
• Assist in sample preparation and execution of consumer studies as needed
• Comply with appropriate SOPs and methods, and established policies and procedures
• Work as a team with all staff to accomplish position and business objectives
• Interface effectively with clients, consumers, consultants, service providers, and temporary workers
• Ensure that all safety guidelines and procedures are followed as safety of our employees is a primary responsibility
• Other duties may be assigned as dictated by business necessity

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science or Sensory Science preferred
• 1-3 years of experience in sensory setting is required
  • Experience in Descriptive Analysis including full profiles, panelist motivational issues, panelist training, panel monitoring, etc. is required
• Willing to undergo sensory acuity screening
• Willing to participate in product tastings/cutting as necessary of a wide range of product types.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate details (both verbal and written) to the client in a professional manner
• Excellent organization skills and the ability to multitask
• Team player
• Willing and able to work flexible hours, including some evenings if needed
• Willing to follow all lab Good Manufacturing Practices
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook is required 

As a Eurofins employee, you will become part of a company that has received national recognition as a great place to work! We offer excellent full-time benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, life and disability insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid holidays, vacation, personal days, and dental and vision options.