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COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets specialty ingredients that improve and enhance the health and well-being of life on the planet, providing state-of-the-art solutions and the finest quality products for a range of industries worldwide. Our corporate headquarters is located in Montvale, New Jersey and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the US and Europe. Founded in 1967, Balchem is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ – “BCPC”) with annual revenues over $900 million and a market cap exceeding $4.0 billion. The company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition & Health; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Balchem employs over 1,400 people worldwide who are engaged in diverse activities, committed to developing the company into global market leadership positions. To learn more about our dynamic, stable and growing company, visit www.balchem.com
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Sensory Scientist/Production Support Specialist will design sensory methods, aid in pulling and prepping samples, and manage sensory evaluations to enhance product knowledge and report findings in context of project objectives/business goals. The Sensory Scientist will also be responsible for training R&D and Quality personnel in sensory testing techniques and will work to build overall company competency in sensory science.
In addition to the Sensory aspect, this person will help support both local and global strategies and business initiatives. Initiatives may include, but not be limited to, aiding in troubleshooting formulation issues and complaints, leading or supporting continuous improvement projects, and working cross functionally to improve plant efficiencies.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Lead and champion a culture of safety.
- Responsible for all aspects of sensory testing including developing methodology, pulling and prepping samples, executing sensory studies, and analyzing/communicating results.
- Allocate sensory testing resources in accordance with company priorities.
- Develop overall company competency in sensory science by training and validating a group of internal Sensory Champions who typically do not have a formal sensory background.
- Interface and work collaboratively with other R&D professionals, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing and Product Management, external research collaborators, and external Balchem customers to troubleshoot issues and implement solutions.
- Participate and lead non-sensory related projects tied to the business strategies and objectives on an as needed basis. Projects vary depending on need but may include reviewing and updating formulations; pulling, reviewing, and investigating discrepancies in production processing data (temps, times, etc) and making recommendations based on data; and leading/supporting quality improvements.
- Drive change in a complex, fast-paced business environment.
- Break down complex issues and simplify by focusing on what matters.
- Leverage technical and functional expertise to solve broader business issues.
- Take an independent and disciplined approach to organizing work activity, prioritizing tasks, and analyze problems; will seek out additional projects and activities to drive the business forward
- Help support and manage local and global initiatives and business strategies including formulation reviews and participation on cross-functional teams.
- Understand the commercialization process with proven experience of its application.
- Meet with customers as required.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 2+ years of experience in Food Sensory with proven track record and strong applied statistics knowledge and experience, with experience in Descriptive Profiling, Consumer Testing, Panelist Training, and Shelf Life Determinations.
- 4-year degree in Food Science, Statistics, or other science related field.
- Expertise in sensory analysis of ingredient and food materials as well as evaluation of the following is good to have:
- raw materials - oils, proteins, sweeteners, etc.
- finished products - spray dried powders like creamers and dry beverage
- finished products - cooked and/or heat processed products for example; extruded crisps/nuggets/cereals, as well as caramel, fudges, fruit preps
- finished products – concentrated syrups/bases for beverage
- Defining sensory objectives and recommend testing strategy to support program objectives and carrying out appropriate sensory tests to industry standards
- Recommending panelist training where needed to ensure accuracy/precision
- Analyzing both sensory and production data and writing reports for project leaders detailing results and conclusions.
- Advanced problem solving and evaluation capabilities along with a proven track record of delivering extraordinary results
- Ability to support cross-functional business objectives and work collaboratively with other business groups
- Ability to gather, sort, and analyze data and make recommendations.
- Ability to learn new categories quickly and provide appropriate guidance.
- Belief that the consumer is the starting point for all R&D activities.
- Experience in training and maintaining sensory panelists, and industry standard methodologies, statistical analysis of sensory data and associated data from other sources.
- Experience in analytical, chemistry, applied statistics, method development and product development are required.
- Experience in working with customers or co-suppliers.
- Exceptional interpersonal, collaboration, communication (verbal and written) and influence skills
- Computer skills including Microsoft Office, Compusense, D365, SharePoint skills, and other software tools
- Knowledge of plant operations is helpful.
- Some travel required.
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Balchem is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and a work environment free of harassment and hostility.
