Associate Sensory Scientist

Associate Sensory Scientist

Join to apply for the Associate Sensory Scientist role at Lactalis American Group.

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose. At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family‑owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award‑winning dairy products that bring people together.

Our portfolio spans several beloved brands including Galbani Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft natural and grated cheeses, Break stone’s cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, Parmalat milk, and yogurts like siggi's, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow, Oui, Yoplait, Go-Gurt, ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, Mountain High, as well as an expanding range of ethnic favorites such as Karoun, Gopi, and Arz.

We live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity—fostering a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

• Coordinate the Sensory Experts Panels on a weekly basis: prepare surveys and samples, set up room for tasting sessions and prepare technical reports using appropriate statistical methods using best practices.
• Support training for various dairy category products with the Sensory Expert Panels and propose action plans to improve panel qualification of all sensory attributes.
• Evaluate the Sensory Expert Panel performance periodically and assist the recruitment of new panelists as needed, following Lactalis Global guidelines.
• Prepare monthly technical report of pillar product performance to be submitted to Lactalis Global QA and internal Quality, Marketing, and R&D cross‑teams.
• Maintain an updated database of the various tests of products as well as selection, training and performance evaluation of the Sensory Expert Panels, plus all other relevant information.
• Procure commercially available dairy products on a weekly basis for use by Sensory Expert Panels, functionality and application testing, and other tastings.
• Provide panel attendance to account payable team for panelist compensation on a weekly basis and submit expense reports of sample purchase and other materials.
• Provide support to manufacturing plants to implement and maintain the Factory Sensory Panels, including training of Sensory Coordinators, creation of SOPs and the monthly report.
• Alert plant and corporate quality teams regarding negative trends in product performance results by both expert and factory trained panels.
• Assist the Marketing Department during consumer test (60/40, Preference Mapping, etc.). Be part of the sample collection and validation through the Sensory Expert Panel prior to the test. Contribute to verify that the consumer test is done following best practices.
• Support R&D and Marketing teams by providing technical guidance and sensory evaluation for special projects as needed.
• Support the culinary manager with product functionality evaluations and/or development of new recipes as needed.
• Work with Corporate Quality Director and R&D to organize Executive Leadership Team monthly product tasting sessions.
• Travel to manufacturing plants and headquarters office on a regular basis to provide support to Factory Sensory Panels and meet with Corporate Quality Director.
• Provide technical assistance as needed during investigation related to quality issues or other special projects.
• Travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required.
• This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
• To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these…