Sensory Panel Assistant (Flora)

MMR Research; Wageningen; On-site; EUR 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries & benefits

Training opportunities

Job summary

MMR Research Worldwide in Wageningen, NL, seeks a Panel Assistant to support sensory panel operations and administration. You will own sample preparation, prepare booths, manage logistics, and uphold food safety standards while assisting with documentation and onboarding of panellists.

The role involves working closely with Sensory team leaders to ensure smooth panel sessions, continuous improvement, and high-quality study delivery.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in Sensory Science; prior experience in the field is highly desirable.
• Confident communicator with the ability to express ideas clearly.
• Collaborative team player who works well in multidisciplinary settings.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of sample preparation activities for sensory panel sessions, ensuring products are prepared accurately and according to study requirements
• Prepare sensory booths, panel rooms and preparation areas before sessions and ensure all areas are restored following use
• Manage preparation area logistics, including stock monitoring, ordering and receipt of consumables and materials
• Maintain inventory systems and ensure traceability of materials and references
• Ensure all activities comply with food safety and hygiene standards and FloraFG site procedures
• Potentially support with internal panel activities
• Prepare and maintain panel documentation, panel administration systems, databases and records
• Coordinate routine communications with panellists and support day-to-day panel queries under supervision of the panel leaders
• Support onboarding activities and administration linked to recruitment of new panellists
• Assist with organisation of panel engagement activities and appreciation initiatives
• Support questionnaire setup and session preparation activities (EyeQuestion)
• Prepare materials required for sensory studies and panel activities
• Apply standard operating procedures consistently and elevate uncertainties where required
• Support preparation of panel performance materials and documentation
• Assist with preparation of sensory references and training materials
• Provide support during panel sessions and sensory activities
• Depending on experience and training level, support delivery of simple sensory sessions independently where appropriate
• Provide basic cover support during planned and unplanned absences where operationally required
• Escalate operational issues, risks or deviations appropriately
• Support ongoing improvement of preparation areas processes and ways of working
• Identify operational inefficiencies and propose practical improvements
• Contribute to maintaining SOPs and documentation standards (ISO certified lab environment)
• Support implementation of new operational processes where required

Skills

Sensory science interest

Communication

Team player

Organisational skills

English fluency

Job description

Description

The Panel Assistant reports to the Senior Sensory Panel Leader and works closely with other Panel Leader and the FloraFG sensory team to support the day-to-day operation of MMR’s dedicated sensory panels within FloraFG.

Department

Sensory

Location

Wageningen, NL

Key Responsibilities

Panel operational support

• Take full ownership of sample preparation activities for sensory panel sessions, ensuring products are prepared accurately and according to study requirements
• Prepare sensory booths, panel rooms and preparation areas before sessions and ensure all areas are restored following use
• Manage preparation area logistics, including stock monitoring, ordering and receipt of consumables and materials
• Maintain inventory systems and ensure traceability of materials and references
• Ensure all activities comply with food safety and hygiene standards and FloraFG site procedures
• Potentially support with internal panel activities

Panel administration and coordination

• Prepare and maintain panel documentation, panel administration systems, databases and records
• Coordinate routine communications with panellists and support day-to-day panel queries under supervision of the panel leaders
• Support onboarding activities and administration linked to recruitment of new panellists
• Assist with organisation of panel engagement activities and appreciation initiatives

Study support

• Support questionnaire setup and session preparation activities (EyeQuestion)
• Prepare materials required for sensory studies and panel activities
• Apply standard operating procedures consistently and elevate uncertainties where required
• Support preparation of panel performance materials and documentation
• Assist with preparation of sensory references and training materials

Panel session support

• Provide support during panel sessions and sensory activities
• Depending on experience and training level, support delivery of simple sensory sessions independently where appropriate
• Provide basic cover support during planned and unplanned absences where operationally required
• Escalate operational issues, risks or deviations appropriately

Continuous improvement

• Support ongoing improvement of preparation areas processes and ways of working
• Identify operational inefficiencies and propose practical improvements
• Contribute to maintaining SOPs and documentation standards (ISO certified lab environment)
• Support implementation of new operational processes where required

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Strong interest in Sensory Science; prior experience in the field is highly desirable
• Confident communicator with the ability to express ideas clearly
• Collaborative team player who works well in multidisciplinary settings
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively
• Fluent in English (spoken and written)

Success in this role will be demonstrated through

• smooth and reliable execution of panel operations
• effective ownership of sample preparation and logistics
• high-quality panel administration and documentation
• proactive support to Senior Panel Leaders
• contribution to stable, efficient and high-performing sensory programme delivery

A bit about us and our benefits!

We’re MMR Research Worldwide – the global sensory and consumer research experts behind many of the world’s biggest brands in food, drink, personal and household care. From bold new flavours to breakthrough product experiences, we help turn great ideas into products people truly love.

With teams across the UK, US, Asia and Africa, we blend science, creativity and curiosity to shape the future of everyday products. Join us and you’ll be part of a fast-growing, innovative company where your ideas matter and your career can thrive.

It’s our people that make all of this possible.

We are proud of our collaborative culture which is driven by strong leadership and offers industry-leading training and growth opportunities.

Benefits

• We offer a wide range of core and additional benefits.
• Competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and market-leading training opportunities are standard here.

At MMR, we're committed to ensuring the happiness and well-being of each employee, regardless of where they are in the world! Our vibrant culture, talented team, and focus on employee wellbeing is what makes MMR so special.