Consumer Testing Associate (On-Call/Part-Time)

SAM is a fast-growing and global sensory and consumer research consultancy. Our mission is to allow consumers a voice in the development of outstanding food, beverage, pet, and health & beauty products so as to create high-quality and memorable experiences. We help our clients with:

• Developing new product ideas
• Re-energizing well-established products
• Assessing product-concept fit or packaging effectiveness
• Understanding the product, brand, and category competitive landscapes
• Protecting product quality from inception to the end of shelf life

SAM The National Food Lab is the division of SAM that provides these services for all USA-based clients. Our sensory science program resides in our USA headquarters in Minneapolis, MN.

About the role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and enthusiastic kitchen & serving associate to support our consumer taste testing operations. This role involves preparing, organizing, and presenting food and beverage samples to research participants for product evaluation sessions. The ideal candidate will ensure a positive, clean, safe, and efficient environment while assisting with data collection and maintaining high standards of food handling.

Responsibilities

• Deliver testing product and ensure proper consumer test instructions are being followed.
• Prepare testing product using the protocols designated by the client.
• Observe and direct test participants through the consumer test.
• Check-in consumer test participants and ensure proper documents are completed.
• Set up and break down of testing area.
• Maintain testing environments to ensure consistency, cleanliness, and compliance with research protocols.
• Maintain organization, quality, and consistency during test execution.
• Support database growth events as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of computers and software programs
• Must be able to work on your feet for up to 12 hours (with lunch & breaks in between)
• Authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without restriction or sponsorship
• Valid Driver’s License and Proof of Insurance
• Excellent organizational skills with a particular focus on managing details
• Outstanding listening and communication skills—both written and oral
• Experience working in a kitchen environment or in market research is a plus but not necessary

Skills

• Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions
• Critical thinking and ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently
• Desire to learn and work with others
• Interpersonal skills to interact with both the public and clients
• A strong team player with a willingness to go the extra mile to ensure team success
• Professional appearance and demeanor
• Flexibility in scheduling, including long and varied hours
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
• Basic computer skills, particularly Internet, Microsoft Office, and Outlook programs and systems

Pay

$17.00/Hr.

Schedule

Part-Time (On-Call)

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, or hear
• Occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds (50 lbs. with assistance)
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• Lab regularly processes known food allergens including egg, soy, wheat, milk, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, sulfites, gluten, chocolate, fruit, natural or artificial sweeteners (like aspartame or Phenylalanine), natural or artificial colors
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate