Sensory Scientist

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Position Title: Sensory Scientist

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time ​

Position Location: Oakbrook Terrace

Requisition ID: 38590

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In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

About the role .

The Sensory UX Scientist applies sensory and consumer research best practices and methodologies to provide guidance and insights to McCain’s regional and local Product Development (PD) teams throughout the stage gate process. The position executes and reports sensory and consumer research studies providing insights and recommendations to facilitate data-based decision making.

This position is a key member of the global sensory team supporting the NA regional team and providing direction and training to various stakeholders on all sensory aspects of McCain’s products. The Sensory UX Scientist partners with cross-functional teams to integrate sensory best practices and testing, where appropriate, throughout the product development process. This position also partners with PD and Sensory Quality in support of key product attribute (KPA) identification and assists with global platform work, as needed.

The role is responsible for using existing tools/methods and implementing new sensory user experience (consumer/operator) and sensory methods as needed to guide product development, enable successful innovation launches, and guide renovation efforts. The Sensory UX Scientist designs and leads testing plans created in partnership with Consumer & Operator Insights, with scientific rigor and identifies/reports actionable insights/recommendations to stakeholders.

The Sensory UX Scientist collaborates with R&D, Marketing, Consumer & Operator Insights, Operations, and other internal and external partners on new products, processes, quality improvements and cost savings to drive McCain’s profitable growth. The role builds and maintains strong relationships with core vendors, supervises the application of best scientific practices by such vendors, and manages test costs and timelines.

The Sensory UX Scientist also works with Global Sensory UX counterparts to expand McCain’s global sensory capabilities. This includes the optimization and standardization of sensory tools and the development of new or hybrid methods. This person also works closely with his/her manager and team to develop new training materials, assessing and onboarding new vendors, builds additional capabilities such as descriptive analysis, and discrimination testing locally and identifying and closing gaps the company has regarding its Sensory UX needs.

This person should also be willing and able to travel as needed, approx. 20% of the time.

What you’ll be doing .

• Partner with Consumer & Operator Insights, Research and Development, Marketing, Packaging, Supply Chain, and other business and product teams to guide the optimization of innovation, product improvements, and define product quality as designed.
• Drives projects through appropriate product and packaging consumer and sensory learning plans from early guidance (as needed) to optimization to confirmatory testing, inclusive of building foundational product knowledge, protecting product quality, and enhancing consumer understanding.
• Facilitates consumer/operator interactions to grow consumer/operator empathy.
• Courageously champion product design and product quality as the sensory representative on the Research & Development and business teams.
• Further strengthens best sensory practices within the Research & Development teams and provoke a sensory mindset. Act regionally, think globally,
• Has a design thinking mind set.
• Translate data to insights through synthesis of qualitative consumer learning and interpretation of statistical analyses of quantitative sensory and consumer testing.
• Communicates recommendations and key findings in a relevant and easy to understand manner and guide business teams to next steps in the product development process.
• Develop and foster strong relationships with key sensory and consumer testing vendors to ensure flawless execution of tests and appropriate pricing.
• Is a core team member of cross-functional project teams.

What you’ll need to be successful .

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Sensory Science, Food Science, Statistics, Psychology, or related field.
• Minimum 4 years (2 years with Master's degree) in Sensory and consumer research experience across a range of research techniques. CPG experience is preferred.
• Experience planning and executing sensory and/or consumer research in partnership with Research & Development and Consumer Insight is preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal, collaboration, and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage resources and leverage existing data to effectively lead multiple projects.
• Depth of knowledge in sensory science.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences ranging from highly scientific/technical to non-technical personnel and customers.
• Knowledge of Food Chemistry/Biochemistry/Statistics desired.
• Demonstrated track record of supporting the delivery of winning product innovations through providing sensory input that addresses customers’ needs.
• Ability to recognize, disseminate, and reconcile information into insights and trends that advance McCain’s ability to make better business decisions.
• Self-motivated, adapts easily to change.
• Experience in managing external relationships with vendors desired
• Scientific curiosity.
• Engaging individual that encourages the team’s experimentation mindset
• Fundamental understanding of applied statistical analysis, including design of experiments and multivariate analysis techniques

About McCain .
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.

Leadership principles .
At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

The McCain experience .
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.

Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We’re big believers in the power of working together in person—it helps us stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. At the same time, we recognize the importance of flexibility. Most office-based roles follow a hybrid model, with the option to work remotely two days a week. There may be exceptions depending on the role and location, so we encourage you to speak with your recruiter for more details.

Compensation Package : $69,700.00 - $93,000.00 . USD annually + Bonus eligibility

The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs.

Benefits: At McCain, we’re on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person’s needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Well-being programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned with country, provincial and state governing plans and can vary by work level, location and nature of the role. Additional benefit detail available during the application process.

Your well-being matters to us, and we’re here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work — and at home.