Description
The Production Sensory Team at the Boston Beer Company is responsible for protecting the sensory flavor profile of our prized beverage products across numerous locations. We work closely with Quality Assurance, Brewing, and Engineering teams to protect the sensory profile of our products, identify issues, and troubleshoot solutions to ensure consistently high-quality product reaches the Consumer! This is possible through implementing rigorous sensory testing throughout the production process. We place a big focus on training and validation of panelists, both internal and external, to support our extensive testing. Our team is made up of individuals who work hard, adapt well, prioritize tasks, follow guidelines, and exhibit excellent problem-solving skills. We are looking to expand our Production Sensory Team to ambitious, collaborative, forward-thinking individuals who are passionate about sensory, process, methodology, high quality, teamwork and getting the job done!
We are currently hiring a Sensory Technologist, Production in Breinigsville, PA.
The Sensory Technologist will collect information to protect the sensory profiles of high-quality products to ensure profile consistency across different production location(s). The ideal candidate performs this task through excellent execution of sensory panels and sensory training. This person will help identify risks in profile shifts to better understand sensory attributes for each product. Scientific focus, prioritization, and project management skills are essential.
What You’ll Do:
- Assure highest sensory quality of our product by monitoring the sensory characteristics of the brands at various processing stages
- Analyze and interpret sensory data, including generating statistical results and graphs for completed sensory data
- Maintain records for quality tracking
- Must have excellent communication skills, including ability to send data that drives action and next steps. This may be either in the form of emails or concise, informative, reports of technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Manage all sensory evaluation of flavors and manage evaluation of any flavor-related sensory concerns
- Focus on all process-related methods of sensory evaluation including, but not limited to, new programming, new equipment, and differences among locations
- Panel leader of sensory panels of external panelists. Including: panel assessment, tracking panelist performance and attendance, providing performance feedback, screening new panelists for taste and odor acuity, and maintaining panelist database by adding new panelists
- Development of new sensory panels to support the needs of the business
- Promote high product quality sensorial achievements within a professional work environment
- Conduct regular training events and tests to refresh current panelists on profiles and introduce new products
- Conduct and assist in discrimination testing – utilizing sensory methods, sensory tools (ex. Compusense), and statistical evaluation to better guide production locations
What We’re Looking For:
- Degree in Sensory Science, Food Science, Statistics, Psychology or another related field or 3 years of experience
- 3+ years of experience in sensory analysis
- Panel training experience
- Proficiency in statistical analysis (xlstat a plus)
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required. Report writing and good communication skills are required
- Proven success multi-tasking in a fast paced environment
- High degree of ownership and professional commitment
- Experience in an industry setting
Some Perks:
Our people are our most important “ingredient.” We not only have to hire the best, but we have to reward, develop, and retain them too. We also have a variety of benefits including a competitive compensation package, extensive training programs, excellent healthcare, a discounted stock purchase plan, and a 401K program with a generous company match. Not to mention, there’s the free beer too!
Boston Beer Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. In order to help ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran’s Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who wish to request accommodation in the job application process can contact (see application details) for assistance.