Consumer Product Testing Assistant (Part-Time)

Want a fun, flexible part-time job in a professional environment? Join our Product Testing team and help support consumer taste tests that influence future food and beverage products. You'll work in a collaborative setting, interact with participants, and gain valuable experience in research, customer service, and food product development.

About the role

Our client's Research and Development team is seeking a reliable, detail-oriented contractor to support consumer and sensory product testing. This role assists with sample service, participant check-in, facility upkeep, and ensuring testing sessions run smoothly.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve product samples according to testing protocols.
• Accurately deliver samples to respondents and maintain sample organization.
• Welcome and check in participants.
• Provide a brief orientation and explain testing procedures.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of testing and kitchen areas before, during, and after sessions, including dishwashing.
• Support Product Development team members with general testing activities.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions.
• Friendly, professional, and comfortable interacting with participants.
• Dependable, organized, and adaptable to changing schedules.
• Ability to stand and move throughout testing sessions for up to 5 hours.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, safely carry and serve from trays of product samples, and enter walk-in refrigerators and freezers.
• Closed-toe shoes and long pants required; occasionally a lab coat, hair net, and other PPE may be needed.

Qualifications

• Previous food service, hospitality, or research support experience is a plus.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Experience in sensory testing.
• Effective communication and other soft skills.

Schedule

This part-time, flexible contract position runs through November, with hours varying between 5-15 hours per week, typically 5 hours per day and 1-3 days per week. Availability is needed from Monday to Friday, between 10 am–3 pm or 9 am–2 pm.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $23.00 per hour.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short- and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation, or Sick Leave)

Work Environment

This is a fully onsite position at DQ headquarters in Bloomington, MN, requiring work in a busy kitchen environment.