The Sensory Innovation Team within the Strategy & Innovation Office have accountabilities that impact R&D design-thinking and the development and scale up of new products. The position drives consumer-centric thinking, emotional understanding, competitive knowledge and intuition, and research solutions throughout the entire product development process to deliver winning experiences and enable transformational innovations. Through leveraging advanced understanding of consumer products, their usage and testing methodologies, the Sensory Innovation Analyst assesses the strategic fit and impact of new innovative product solutions.

•Sensory Innovation Analyst develops appropriate sensory protocols and best practices to strengthen the company’s marketing propositions. The position provides scientific sensory input for the development and commercialization of Vinamilk’s products.

•The Sensory Innovation Analyst interacts closely with R&D, Marketing, and Market Research to provide guidance and partnership through all stages of the stage-gate process. This includes oversight and coordination of effective test plans to ensure optimized product design.

•Develop and execute sensory protocols that guide the designs of current product offerings and support cost enhancements to strengthen Vinamilk’s brands and market position.

•Conduct and lead internal descriptive analysis panels and/or employee acceptance panels

•Review and perform data entry ensuring accuracy and logical consistency

•Prepare products and references as necessary for sensory evaluation and training

•Plan and execute employee acceptance testing including selecting sensory methods

•Perform basic statistical analysis

•Report findings from sensory panels to stakeholders

•Determine topics for monthly panel training sessions

•Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Sensory Science or similar field

•5 years’ experience working in the sensory science field

•2+ years relevant experience with leading innovation focused sensory programs

•Must have knowledge of sensory science as it relates to dairy products/ food

•Must be detail oriented and extremely organized

•Must possess excellent communication skills and possess the ability drive consensus decisions among panel members

•Must have in-depth understanding of sensory science and related business processes

•General understanding of product development, manufacturing and commercialization

•Master’s Degree in in Food Science, Sensory Science or similar field

•Have leadership experience

•Experience and familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems