Sensory Scientist

As a Sensory Scientist, you are part of the Global Science & Innovation Team and play a key role in partnering with Regional Innovation & Commercial Development, Applications, and Technical Service stakeholders to conduct sensory research and tests to drive customer excellence.

You will be utilizing global and regional sensory and consumer research capabilities to derive ingredients, products, and consumer insights for the organization.

About You

We’re looking to recruit a Sensory Scientist reporting to the APAC Sensory Manager, based in Shanghai.

This is a varied role for a person who has a strong foundation in the Food Ingredients industry, with a strong background in Sensory, Consumer Product Guidance Research, and Statistics.

Your role will develop and execute research strategies with regional and global key stakeholders to inform product performance for new and existing ingredients for APAC and global, for the purpose of delivering excellence for the customer.

About Us

Tate & Lyle's purpose, Transforming Lives Through the Science of Food, inspires everything we do. Whether it’s by making food and drink healthier and tastier, continuously improving how we work, promoting a safe working environment, or making a difference in our local communities, we believe we can successfully grow our business and have a positive impact on society.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Manage internal panel recruitment, training, performance calibration, and routine sensory evaluation execution. Act as the key interface with external third-party sensory to align project requirements, review test designs, validate raw data and final reports, and ensure full closed-loop delivery of both internal and outsourced sensory projects.
• Communicate project requirements, test design, methodology standards, sample specifications, timelines, and quotations with external partners.
• Track full project progress: sample dispatch, test execution, quality control, and issue resolution during testing.
• Review third-party deliverables, including raw sensory data, statistical analysis, significance conclusion, and sensory profile reports.
• Develop a new test method with a panel
• Manage vendor relationship, commercial negotiations, delivery timelines, and report quality control.
• Archive all third-party project documents, reports, and records to ensure full traceability and reviewability.
• Unify evaluation methodologies, criteria, and scoring frameworks for both in-house and third-party sensory testing.
• Support the establishment and maintaining internal trained panel to conduct basic descriptive analysis subjective to the technical service project needs and the operation quality project.
• Support and manage the day-to-day responsibilities and priorities, including scheduling of test requirements with guidance of the Regional Sensory Manager.

• Connect with the global sensory team as needed to align on project priorities and initiatives.
• Align with the Regional Sensory Manager to define sensory and consumer research objectives to support short- and long-term initiatives. Support the development of research proposals to meet business needs. Analyse and interpret test results using sound statistical analysis. Record data and findings in an electronic notebook and deliver a report on time.

• Review scientific literature and keep up with the new trends, technology, regulations, and methodologies in sensory evaluation.
• Protect intellectual properties by following policies and best practices in knowledge management, IP execution, and information sharing.
• Develop and execute sensory tests, applying scientific methodologies to assess product attributes in line with team procedures.
• Conduct benchmarking studies to compare products within the market and assess competitive advantage, developing insights into future specifications and product changes.
• Ensure quality and consistency in sensory evaluations, working with senior Sensory colleagues to troubleshoot and refine testing protocols as needed.
• Maintain and calibrate testing equipment used in sensory evaluations and testing, supporting the reliability of the Sensory team's assessments and outcomes.

• Align with the Regional Sensory Manager to define sensory and consumer research objectives to support short- and long-term initiatives. Support the development of research proposals to meet business needs. Analyse and interpret test results using sound statistical analysis. Record data and findings in an electronic notebook and deliver the report on time.
• Participate in various company activities, such as safety training, employee survey, safety audits, and OSHA training—present safety topic or safety moment in the meetings.

EHS

Perform, maintain, and improve the EHS standard and requirements as set by the Company. Participate in the company’s EHS program, including training, audits, etc., as arranged by the company.

Location

This role is assigned to be based in the Shanghai office, Xuhui district

What You’ll Have

• Degree in Food Science & Technology/ Engineering or Sensory-related field (e.g statistics, consumer science, cognitive behavior)
• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in the CPG field, in the food and beverage industry, is highly desirable
• Experience of working with strict health and safety protocols in a laboratory environment is essential.
• Proficient in using Sensory software (Compusense, EveQuestion, Fizz, Red Jade, Sims, etc) and Statistical software (SAS, JMP, XLSTAT) and Microsoft applications.
• Strong background in statistics and data science, and able to apply to the sensory and consumer data framework.
• Developing knowledge of methodologies, processes, practices, and common issues of sensory science and R&D within the food and beverage industry.
• Able to convey straightforward technical and non-technical information to audiences that generally understand the subject matter. Communication is normally within the team and closely related teams.
• Primarily focuses on providing support to the team.
• Able to work under general supervision, with some guidance from a competent professional or manager needed from time to time
• Deep expertise in a broad range of sensory and consumer research techniques
• Solid communication skills, including the ability to write concise, informative reports and verbally present complex technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Fluency in English, written and spoken, and one local language is essential
• Ability to listen and identify project objectives and influence research plan to do the correct sensory and/or consumer studies at the right time, thereby increasing the success rate.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, including knowledge of project management principles.
• Ability to apply tools and techniques to develop/plan, manage, or execute multiple projects/work plans and ensure successful completion (e.g., on time, on budget).
• Self-motivated with the ability to effectively focus and motivate resources
• Able to build good relationships with multi-cultural colleagues from multiple functions
• Agile and able to work with fast-moving timelines

What We Can Offer 

• Base salary with AWS + Performance Bonus, Opportunities to interact with Global teams
• High-end Medical & Hospital Insurance coverage, Flexible benefits, LinkedIn
• Learning Membership in Employee Resource Groups (Professional Women’s Network, LGBTQ+, Black Employee Network, Veterans’, Mental Health)
• Mental health and well-being support via Mental Health First Aiders & Employee Assistance Program
• Local volunteering opportunities (where applicable)

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Tate & Lyle is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.