Sensory Panel Manager

About the role

As a Panel Manager, you will be working onsite at our client’s R&D facility in Clark, New Jersey. As the first point of contact for our client’s R&D team, you will be responsible for panel, project, and lab management.

Responsibilities

• Sensory Lab & Operational Management
• Manage daily operations of the sensory laboratory, ensuring readiness, organization, and compliance.
• Oversee sample handling, preparation, storage, and disposal according to protocols.
• Define and maintain reference materials for all attributes of interest.
• Schedule quarterly partnership reviews.
• Schedule projects with panel and create session plans, according to priorities from the client.
• Inform the client as soon as possible if there are any issues with the project, products, materials, etc.
• Ensure timely scheduling and execution of all sensory sessions to meet agreed turnaround times.
• Present partnership updates and progress to date, including reporting on panel activities, panel performance and other KPIs.
• Panel Management & Performance
• Lead panel recruitment, onboarding, training, and calibration.
• Train panel coordinators on the clients ways of working.
• Maintain high levels of panelist engagement and motivation through structured feedback.
• Address panelist performance or conduct issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Sensory Study Execution
• Implement sensory studies according to approved methodologies and research plans.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure proper study setup and execution.
• Create annual validation training and reports for each of the product categories.
• Quality check sensory data.
• Run the panel sessions, including training the panel and collecting the data.
• Create online questionnaires using FIZZ.
• Regularly monitor panel performance, notify the client team of any issues regarding performance or variability in the data.
• Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and reliability prior to analysis and reporting.
• Support interpretation and discussion of results with the client’s sensory team as needed.
• Team Leadership & Development
• Lead, coach, and support Panel Leaders and Technicians.
• Cook up daily task allocation and workload management.
• Support onboarding and training new team members.
• Foster a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement within the lab team.
• Continuous Improvement & Sustainability
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and quality of sensory operations.
• Contribute to the standardization and optimization of onsite sensory processes.

Qualifications

• BS in Food Science, Biology, Cosmetic Science, Psychology, Marketing or related field with at least 5 years of industry experience.
• Strong sensory science expertise, including experience in technical product testing, descriptive panel leadership, and sensory training.
• Solid understanding of sensory testing methodologies and statistics applied to sensory data.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally to support business objectives through high quality sensory insights.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to manage panel dynamics.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage panel dynamics and multiple operational activities simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain panel objectivity and discipline, and performance consistency.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and sensory software such as FIZZ®, Compusense®, or similar tools.
• Strong Analytical skills and excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt to changes in real-time and meet timelines.
• Confident communicator in English, both spoken and written.
• Open-minded, easy to connect with and creative mindset.
• Agile mindset and problem-solving attitude.
• Willingness and ability to work onsite at the client’s facility in Clark, NJ.
• Authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without restriction or sponsorship.

Additional Preferences

• Experience working in the cosmetics or personal care industry.
• Completion of the UC Davis Sensory and Consumer Science Certification.
• Demonstrated people-management experience, including coaching, developing, and leading sensory panel teams or technical staff.

Benefits

• Excellent full time benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, dental, and vision options.
• Life and disability insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid vacation and holidays.