Research and Sensory Science Manager

Are you looking to progress in your career with a fast-growing food safety and AgSciences company? Are you a hardworking, collaborative team member ready to hit the ground running and get the job done? Then we are looking for you! 

What we do:

Matrix Sciences provides a uniquely comprehensive scope of laboratory, advisory, research, agsciences and data management services that support our customers’ confidence in bringing safe, quality food to market. 

Why it matters:

This work allows clients to identify potential contamination before it impacts their products and helps them feel confident that their products meet their quality standards and are safe for consumption in the market.

Role summary: 

Provide consumer testing expertise and coordination of all aspects associated with sensory testing.  Including leading and managing consumer guided sensory research projects while working alongside a team of senior researchers, internal departments, and clients.  Responsible for client relationship management, collaborating on research design, screener and questionnaire development, project execution and interpretation of results for final reports upon completion of testing.  This position reports to the Director of Research and Insight.

What you’ll do:

• Demonstrate understanding of sensory and consumer research knowledge and expertise.
• Develop and prepare sensory and consumer testing documentation involved in the research process, including but not limited to client proposals, recruitment screeners, product questionnaires, internal operations documents, kitchen preparation documents, and reporting commentary with results interpretation of statistical methods and analyses.
• Organize and execute projects in accordance with sensory methodologies and standards. 
• Effectively communicate (written and oral) to all appropriate departments, develop key relationships and present sensory information for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Regular, professional client interaction and communication to ensure the project objectives are being met, along with all deadlines and internal deliverables.
• Attend weekly department meetings with Manager, Field Operations & Project Logistics, Project/Research Managers, Recruiting, Questionnaire and Reporting teams to discuss project status.
• Onsite visits to client(s) for food/product reviews, trainings or other meetings as required.
• Detail oriented self-starter with ability to lead project initiatives. 
• Work well in a team environment, able to balance multiple and/or shifting priorities and flexes to provide appropriate support for project work as needed.
• High attention to detail and ability to handle quick-paced decision making.
• Ability to coordinate research projects in multiple company locations across the US and Canada, and occasionally beyond.
• Flexible to work onsite or in-person with specific client(s) based on business need.
• Responsible for tracking and reporting expenses in Concur.

What you have: 

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in food sciences, Food Engineering, Market Research of related technical discipline. 
• Work experience in consumer research/insight role environment.
• Excellent organization, planning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication (written & verbal) and project management skills 
• Strong attention to detail and customer service oriented
• Excellent organization and planning skills, ability to multi-task and work on multiple projects
• Strong cross-functional internal and external collaboration approach, accompanied by individual accountability and ownership

What we offer: 

• Medical 
• Dental 
• Vision 
• 401(k) 
• Commuter Benefits
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Accident & Critical Illness
• Life Insurance 
• Paid Time-Off 
• LifeLock Protection
• Tuition Reimbursement 
• Employee Referral Program

Work Location:

• Chicago, IL

EEO Statement 

Matrix Sciences International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Matrix Sciences is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees. We treat all employees and applicants in conformance with both the spirit and letter of federal, state, and local employment discrimination laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. The Company makes all employment decisions without regard to a person's race, color, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, uniform services membership status or any other characteristic protected by law. Discrimination, retaliation or harassment based upon any of these factors is wholly inconsistent with how we do business and will not be tolerated.