Sensory Technician

Job Title: Sensory Technician - 2220-1

Start/End Dates: 5/2/2024 4/9/2025
Work Location: PLYMOUTH, MN
Schedule: Mon to Fri/ 7:00 am and 3:30 pm CST ( 30 Min Lunch break)

Summary:

We are looking for a hardworking individual with attention to detail for a Technician role. This person has experience with food prep or is an experienced home cook and can work with minimal supervision, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:00 am and 3:30 pm. The Technician will assist the Sensory Team on various projects related to how different products look, smell, taste and/or feel. This includes helping to prepare samples (typically food products), serve samples to a Trained Panel of employees for evaluation, and prepare taste, flavor, aroma and/or texture references for the Trained Panel. Additionally, the Technician will be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of lab in compliance with Food Safety, EHS, and PPE policies, completing the Master Sanitation checklist on a weekly basis. The Technician will also be responsible for managing inventory of supplies and miscellaneous data entry.

Job Duties:
Assist sensory team for various sensory projects including Descriptive Analysis (DA), consumer guidance, difference panels and team tastings.
Have the ability to work with minimal supervision ideally between 7am and 3.30 pm CST ( 30 Min Lunch break ). Understand the scope of sensory projects and expectations.
Responsible for panel preparation including making up references, sample preparation, setting up the panel room for panel training, serving references/samples during the training and preparing ad hoc references as needed.
Set up sensory booths including sample cups/plate labeling, start and finish the sensory tests using the Eye Question program.
Serving samples during the panels.
Clean up the panel room, sample prep lab, and booths.
Help maintain general cleaning of the Sensory Center.
Assist with restock panel room, booths, sensory lab area and take weekly inventory of supplies to be ordered.
Help with routine food safety maintenance.
Help unload, unpack, and label samples for storage.
Help maintain food and chemical storage in accordance with food safety guidelines
Help maintain storage areas with dishes and panel supplies.
Compliance with Food Safety, EHS, and PPE policies.
Document and protect all information to protect and ensure any and all patentable advances in technology as required by company policy.
Ability to manage multiple tasks on a deadline basis.
Must be able to work effectively with a team as well as independently and possess excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
Help with picking up samples and supplies for sensory panels.
Responsible for keeping iPads and laptops up to date by managing them weekly.
Responsible for completing Master Sanitation Schedule of the Sensory lab.

Job Qualifications
Required
High School Degree/GED
Demonstrated problem-solving skills
Good interpersonal and teamwork skills
Takes initiative in technical problem solving
Proficient in Microsoft Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint
Good communication skills, both written and oral
Ability to work in a lab environment and maintain good food manufacturing practice
Ability to lift weights up to 50 lbs. and perform other necessary physical requirements of job
Ability to drive on city streets to pick up samples or help with other panels at other R&D locations.

Preferred skills:
3-6 months lab experience
Kitchen experience is good as well

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