Sensory Panel Leader

Join us and celebrate the beauty of human experience. Create for happier, healthier lives, with love for nature. Together, with our customers, we deliver food innovations, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions. There's much to learn and many to learn from, with more than 17,000 employees around the world to explore ideas and ambitions with.
In the USA, we develop, market and produce a wide array of solutions from our 25 most innovative sites, based across the country. Stretch your skills, create and get inspiration from passionate colleagues. Every day, your energy, your thirst for knowledge, and your creativity will shape our future, making a positive difference on billions of people. Every essence of you enriches our world. We are Givaudan. Human by nature.

As a Sensory Panel leader you will lead and inspire internal and external sensory panels to deliver highquality, actionable data that drive product and solution development. Champion panel excellence, ensuring sensory results align with business objectives and consumer understanding. Collaborate crossregionally and crossfunctionally to uphold best practices in sensory evaluation, data integrity, and panelist experience.

You will report to Consumer & Sensory Research Investigator.

Location Cincinnati, Ohio (On-site)

Salary range for this position based on candidate experience 65000-75,000 year.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Panel Management

• Recruit, train, motivate, and mentor panelists to ensure data reliability, engagement, and personal development.

• Monitor individual and collective performance, providing feedback and retraining as needed.

• Maintain shared sensory references and lexicons in collaboration with sensory experts.

• Foster an inclusive, respectful, and dynamic panel environment that balances scientific rigor and human connection.

• Coordinate schedules and workloads effectively with the sensory team.

Project Execution

• Partner with project managers and cross-functional teams to design and deliver meaningful sensory studies.

• Recommend test designs, timing, and resource use aligned with project priorities.

• Represent the sensory voice in product evaluations and ensure sensory insights are clearly translated into business decisions.

Prioritization & Management

• Plan and allocate sensory lab and panel resources effectively.

• Provide guidance and supervision to technicians or temporary staff.

• Uphold high standards of safety, quality, and documentation.

• Share knowledge and maintain strong collaboration across teams and geographies.

Data Collection & Analysis

• Ensure accurate collection and organization of sensory data.

• Perform initial analysis and validation; collaborate with senior scientists for deeper statistical work.

• Summarize results in clear, focused reports highlighting key observations and next steps.

Sensory Innovation

• Contribute ideas and practical insights to improve sensory evaluation methods.

• Support implementation of new testing tools, digital solutions, and engagement practices that enhance panel quality and efficiency.

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Professional Experience

• Secondary/High School degree + 8 years related job experience; or Polytechnic/Associate degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology or + 4 years related job experience; or University degree in related field + 2 years job experience; or Masters degree in related field

• Proven practical experience in sensory science (descriptive, discriminant, quality, or consumer panels).

• Track record of successfully leading and motivating sensory panels.

Technical Experience & Skills

• Strong knowledge of sensory methodologies and panel dynamics (recruitment, training, motivation, performance tracking).

• Experience planning and executing multiple sensory studies.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of sensory methods and ways of working.

• Familiarity with sensory datacapture software (e.g. Compusense) and panel management systems.

• Basic ability to interpret and visualize data; curiosity to explore trends and patterns to guide project teams.

• Comfortable working with samples involving strong tastes and aromas.

Communication Skills

• Clear, empathetic communicator able to build trust and engagement within the panel.

• Confident in presenting sensory results and insights to stakeholders in a concise, actionable way.

• Fluent in English; other languages are a plus.

Computer Skills & Statistics

• Competent in using sensory software (e.g. Compusense) and MS Office tools for data capture and reporting.

• Understanding of basic statistical concepts and data reliability; ability to interpret results with support from senior sensory scientists.

We offer

Givaudan takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications/certifications and education, and internal equity.

At Givaudan, you contribute to delightful taste and scent experiences that touch people's lives.

You work within an inspiring teamwork culture - where you can thrive, collaborate and learn from other talented and passionate people across disciplines, regions and divisions.

Every essence of you enriches our world.

Diversity of perspectives fuels innovation and fosters deeper connections with our employees, customers, and partners. At Givaudan, we are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive environment where every individual's voice is valued and has the power to shape our world. Join us in making a difference together.