Technician, R&D

JOB TITLE: Sensory Technician (Temporary)

DEPARTMENT: R&D

REPORTS TO: Principal Scientist

LOCATION: Quonset and Lincoln

PAY: $20-25

HOURS / SHIFT: Part-Time (10-20 hrs), Tues & Thursday. Other days negotiable.

Since 1750, Finlays Solutions has been the trusted leader in supplying tea, coffee, and botanical extracts to the world’s leading beverage brands. Focused on delivering exceptional beverage solutions, we empower our customers to create moments of joy with every sip. Our team is built on values of acting for the long-term, taking accountability, doing better each time, and succeeding together. When you join us, you're not just taking on a job;

you're becoming part of a customer-centric culture driven by collaboration, expertise, and innovation. If you're looking for a place to grow, share your ideas, and make an impact, we’d love to have you on our team.

The Sensory Technician is hands‑on, supporting the research team in preparing samples, setting up sensory testing, updating documentation, and other tasks to keep the lab running smoothly. This person works primarily in a lab environment and must be comfortable spending time on their feet. Under the direction of the Principal Scientist, this individual will conduct product taste testing and panels.

• Maintain daily calibration for lab analytical equipment, maintain inventory and order lab supplies, raw materials, and stock products as needed. Maintain accurate detailed records.
• Prepare tasting room and materials for sensory panel sessions twice a week, usually Tea/Aroma (Tues) & Coffee (Thurs), support discrimination testing, conduct taster education and maintenance training sessions.
• Attend company meetings as needed. Collaborate on required documents for samples and tasting data.
• Work safely and follow basic lab/GMPs to ensure that all samples leaving the facilities meet food safety requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree:
  In food science, chemistry, psychology or related is preferred. Associates degrees considered.
• Experience:
  
  Previous experience in food service and lab environments preferred.
• Interpersonal
  
  Skills:
  
  Effective communicator and team player.
• Personal
  
  Skills:
  
  Strong organizational skills and task-oriented.
• Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to follow recipes and perform basic mathematical equations. Able to taste differences in products, and able to consume coffee, tea and milk products.
• Flexibility:
  Willingness to travel between locations as needed for panels.

• Laboratory Setting:
  The role is primarily based in a laboratory setting with occasional interaction with office, warehouse and production environments.
• Team
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Frequent interaction with team members and other departments, requiring effective communication and collaboration.
• Mobility:
  Required to stand for extended periods.
• Lifting:
  Must be able to lift 50 lbs frequently.

Our Quality and Food Safety Management strategy is anchored by our food safety and quality culture and a two‑pronged approach to “be the best” as we produce “only the best”. Every employee has a role to play in this strategy as outlined by the following:

• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s), allergen control, food defense, HACCP, SQF, and regulatory requirements so that we make consistently safe, high‑quality products.
• Ensure the presence of visitors, contractors, and customers is documented on each visit in and out of the facility to maintain good manufacturing practices, allergen controls, food defense/food security and HACCP controls.
• Report all food safety and quality issues to management immediately.
• Partner with colleagues across all functions to share knowledge, skills, and information regarding quality and food safety.
• Adhere to all health and safety work practices.
• Exhibit an understanding of quality and food safety standards and be able to speak about the Finlays Solutions quality and food safety system and your role in it.
• Handle customer complaints in a timely and professional manner so that the customer is put first, always.
• Participate fully in Finlays Solutions programs…