Shift: Monday- Friday, 8am- 5pm
The Panel Leader is responsible for managing and guiding sensory panelists to ensure accurate, high-quality data collection for sensory research projects. This role involves coordinating daily panel activities, monitoring panelist performance, and maintaining adherence to established methodologies and standards. The Panel Leader works closely with the Sensory Research Manager to support project execution and ensure smooth workflow across all sensory evaluations.
Reporting Line:
This position reports directly to the Sensory Research Manager.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Panel Leadership & Execution
- Organize and lead sensory panel sessions, ensuring compliance with protocols and delivering accurate, reliable data collection.
- Recruit, train, manage, and motivate sensory panelists to maintain engagement and performance.
- Prepare and conduct sensory tests, including descriptive profiling, temporal assessments, and discrimination testing.
- Monitor and follow up on panelist performance, providing feedback and implementing improvements for efficiency and quality.
- Maintain a positive and productive environment for panelists and ensure adherence to safety guidelines during all testing activities.
- Participate in quality assurance processes to uphold methodological rigor.
2. Project Support & Coordination
- Support the Sensory Research Manager in designing and executing projects to clients’ full satisfaction.
- Supervise receipt, inventory, labeling, and proper storage of products for assigned projects.
- Update the Sensory Project Tracker weekly and as new projects are scheduled.
- Develop product preparation and shopping instructions for manager and client review/approval.
- Lead the development of lexicons (including references) and related panel orientation sessions, working closely with the manager and client for approval.
- Create reference preparation sheets for Descriptive Analysis (DA) and hand off to sensory technicians.
- Create sample blinding codes and serving rotation using sensory software.
- Provide technicians with detailed serve timing instructions to ensure sample quality and consistency.
- QC survey programming for projects as assigned.
- Schedule sensory panelists for orientation and data collection sessions.
- Lead panel sessions and perform data quality checks.
- Assist in data analysis and reporting results to clients.
3. Shelf-Life & Quality Programs
- Support execution of Sensory Shelf-Life projects, including developing pull and evaluation schedules for manager review.
- Supervise daily testing for retailer Own Brand/Private Label quality programs.
4. Administrative & Compliance
- Track panelist working hours daily/weekly and enter CRM time tracking system.
- Collaborate to organize work environment, including product/equipment storage areas.
- Comply with SOPs, methods, and established policies and procedures.
2. People
- Collaborate closely with the field team to ensure smooth execution of projects.
- Work in partnership with other members of the sensory and research team, technician and the Data Solutions Hub to ensure the success of the projects.
3. Strategy
- Ensure that all panel activities and projects align with the company’s strategic guidelines.