Senior Sensory Scientist

Position Overview

Johnsonville has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Sensory Scientist to join the Product Insights team within Research & Development. In this role, you will act as a strategic thought partner to Consumer Insights, Innovation, Product Development, and Marketing—leveraging advanced Sensory Science to inform new product concepts, guide development decisions, and help build a differentiated, winning product portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret product research across a broad range of methodologies, adapting and developing custom approaches aligned to business objectives.
• Partner with internal teams and external vendors to guide decisions and continuously elevate research capabilities and impact.
• Apply qualitative and quantitative techniques—including prototyping, category reviews/benchmarking, and sensory fingerprinting—to evaluate new product ideas in exploratory and ambiguous spaces.
• Operate effectively at the front end of innovation, helping teams learn quickly through iterative testing and experimentation.
• Shape product direction early by applying deep expertise in Sensory Science, Food Science and Product Research to influence concepts, formulations, and positioning.
• Lead multiple projects with strong project management skills, serving as a Sensory Subject Matter Expert on cross-functional teams.
• Build trusted relationships and influence partners across Marketing, Consumer Insights, Product Development, Manufacturing, Food Safety Quality, Engineering, and Packaging.
• Develop practical solutions to complex research challenges while maintaining high standards for data quality and business impact.
• Communicate insights clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, confidently presenting recommendations to support data-driven decisions.
• Mentor and develop other Johnsonville members, strengthening organizational capability and establishing yourself as a trusted Sensory expert across the business.
• Develop the capability to provide a strategic vision and effectively lead Product Insight team members.
• Become recognized within Johnsonville and the food industry as a world-class Senior Scientist as a result of your accomplishments, continuous learning, and leadership abilities.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Chemistry, or a related field with 8–10 years of experience in Sensory Science required; or Master’s degree with a focus in Sensory Science and 3–5 years of relevant experience; or PhD with a focus in Sensory Science and 1–2 years of relevant experience.

Experience

• Experience in a large, complex food organization preferred (Fortune 100 experience a plus).
• Strong analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills with hands-on expertise in sensory methodologies, including discrimination, descriptive, and consumer testing.
• Proficiency with sensory research software platforms such as RedJade, Compusense, or similar tools.
• Solid food industry knowledge, including ingredient functionality, formulation, processing, and manufacturing; meat industry experience preferred.

Skills

• Proven ability to communicate insights effectively through clear written reports, presentations, and visual storytelling for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong written, verbal, and graphical communication skills, including the development of compelling presentation decks.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, enabling fact-based decision-making across diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, personal growth, and professional development.
• Effective problem solver with the ability to collaborate and contribute within a team-based environment.

Other Requirements

• Benefits and Compensation: Potential for a monthly bonus and 401k with a company match. Access to benefits including affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; disability and life insurance; and fertility and adoption assistance. Competitive paid time off, including paid parental time off!
• About Our Company: Since 1945, our family-owned band of sausage-makers has invented better ways to make, eat, and prepare crave-able sausage. Today, we are 4,000+ Members strong. We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries. We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally. We call it The Johnsonville Way. It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself!
• We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.