Sensory Spectrum: Employment Postings

  • Sensory Statistician

    Position Overview
    Sensory Spectrum (New Providence, NJ), a globally recognized consulting firm that specializes in product and consumer understanding, is looking for a Sensory Statistician and seeking a creative, enthusiastic individual with interest in gaining insights into understanding consumer goods sensory features and their impact on consumers perceptions (acceptance, benefits...).

    Responsibilities
    Broad Description
    Under the general supervision of the Sensory Spectrum leadership team, the Sensory Statistician will be involved in a variety of projects and will have responsibilities in four major areas:

    • Support the technical team with statistical analysis
    • Work with the technical team to develop macros and programs to make data analysis procedures faster, more efficient and more user friendly
    • Create new approaches to sensory statistical analysis
    • Provide other ongoing support to the business
    Key Responsibilities
    1. Supports the technical team with statistical analysis
      One main responsibility of the Sensory Statistician will be to provide support at different stages of projects:
      • Use sound statistical concepts to enhance methodology development and implementation of data procedures for sensory experiment. Work with project managers in the design of sensory experiment to ensure statistical appropriateness of designs
      • Assess and improve data handling procedures with the rest of the data management team to ensure timeliness, efficiency, accuracy and quality of data entry in support of Sensory Spectrum activities (panels, consumer research...)
      • Manage data for descriptive, shelf life/variability and consumer research testing. Ongoing guidance to team and review of data/findings as needed. Coordinate with external vendors / consultants as needed.
      • Analyze data from various sources using existing software (SAS, SYSTAT, Design Expert...). Projects may vary in nature: qualitative and quantitative consumer research, discrimination tests, and descriptive analysis or a combination of these sensory tools
      • Work with project managers to interpret and report data analyzed as needed, providing sound statistical support to data interpretation
    2. Work with the data management and technical teams to develop and/or improve existing macros and programs to provide project managers and ultimately clients with summarized actionable statistical outputs. Ultimately, streamline the data analysis process to make it accurate yet faster, more efficient and more user friendly. This would include:
      • Communicating with project managers and technical team to identify and address business needs for development of procedures, codes and programs. Codes and program might include
        • Statistical analysis using multivariate and univariate methods, regression analysis, categorical data analysis and design of experiment.
        • Graphical / tabular representation of key statistical information
      • Ensuring that data analysis procedures lead to output
        • Appropriate to data type
        • Formatted for inclusion into report (graphical / tabular format)
        • Easily understandable by clients with various levels of statistical knowledge
    3. Create new approaches to sensory statistical analysis
      • Implement and improve the use of standard methods for data analysis by interfacing with external vendors and other sources of information (university...) and identifying appropriate software to use.
      • Ensure software is learned and utilized (e.g. SAS) by self and appropriate team members.
      • Create programs for data analysis (e.g. mean drop analysis) as needed either on own or in conjunction with external vendors.
      • Establish data entry system and touch and go consumer research data analysis including cross tabs in the Discovery Center.
      • Identify and attend seminar, conferences and/or courses to further develop the statistical program. Similarly get familiar with the statistical methods used in sensory evaluation by reading appropriate literature
    4. Other responsibilities might include ongoing support to the business
      • Actively participate on Project Team offering suggestions, making recommendations and assuming responsibility as needed in support of data needs.
      • Ongoing support to the business
      • Participate in product tastings when trained.
      • Develop and enhance skills in sensory and consumer research
      • Performs other duties as needed.
    Qualifications / Requirements
    • MS degree or PhD in statistics
    • SAS programming, SYSTAT, the Unscrambler, Design Expert, Access database and a good command of Excel
    • Knowledge of applied statistics including experimental design, univariate statistical analysis (ANOVA...), regression modeling, categorical data analysis and multivariate statistical techniques (Cluster Analysis, PCA, Factor Analysis). Knowledge of multivariate regression methods (PCR, PLS...)
    • Data interpretation and reporting in the form of annotated data tables, graphical representations, and summary of the information
    • Computer proficiency including working knowledge of Excel, Word and Powerpoint
    • Candidate must also be a quick learner and be able to work independently as well as in teams
    • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
    • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
    • Demonstration of self-motivation, initiative, and leadership
    • Undergraduate degree or minor in business / marketing research, food science or psychology preferred. Prior work experience in a consumer goods company a plus

    We offer a pleasant work environment with medical benefits, 401K, paid vacation, etc.

    Salary commensurate with experience.

    We are a woman owned business.
    Sensory Spectrum is an equal opportunity employer.

    Click here to inquire about the Statistician position via email.

  • Panel Leader

    List of Responsibilties will include:

    • Working with trained panels utilizing sensory skills (taste, touch, smell, sight) of various products.
    • Conducting evaluations following a detailed protocol.
    • Developing ballots and documenting test results.
    • Providing orientation sessions for panels.
    • Managing the group dynamics.
    • Managing data - tabulating, proofing and interpreting results of studies.
    • Collecting and documenting product references used in panel orientations
    • Coordinating with the panel manager in the scheduling of projects.

    Skill Set / Qualifications:
    • Education - Food Science or Psychology-based degree with one or two years of experience in education, training or related field. May include college internship snd/or equivalent work experience.
    • Knowledge in scientific principles/methods and ability to communicate information to an audience in a concise and effective manner.
    • Professional demeanor and ability to interact with all levels of management.
    • Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
    • Superior organizational skills to include multi-tasking, attention to detail, time management and prioritization.
    • Basic computer skills (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook).
    • Ability to work independently and take initiative.

    Salary range of $40,000-$45,000 commensurate with experience.

    We offer a pleasant work environment with medical benefits, 401K, paid vacations, etc.

    To apply for this position, send resume and cover letter to Jobs@SensorySpectrum.com

    Sensory Spectrum is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Sensory Spectrum is an equal opportunity employer.

 

 

 



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