Associate Sensory Scientist

Lactalis American Group; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Total Rewards Program

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Lactalis American Group in Buffalo, NY is seeking an Associate Sensory Scientist to support the Lactalis Passion for Taste program. You will assist sensory panels, prepare reports, and collaborate with QA, Marketing, and R&D teams to ensure product quality.

This role emphasizes statistics, sensory evaluation, and cross-functional teamwork, with travel to plants and headquarters as needed. A BS in Food Science or related field is preferred and five years of related experience is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years job-related experience.
• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science or related field with education and experience in Sensory Evaluation, Dairy Technology and Statistics.
• High School diploma or equivalent; Associate degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Sensory Expert Panels on a weekly basis and prepare surveys/samples.
• Prepare technical reports using appropriate statistical methods.
• Support training for dairy category products with Sensory Expert Panels.
• Evaluate and improve panel qualifications of sensory attributes.
• Recruit new panelists as needed following Lactalis guidelines.
• Prepare monthly technical reports for QA and cross-functional teams.
• Provide support to manufacturing plants for Factory Sensory Panels and SOPs.

Skills

Attention to detail

Verbal & written communication

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Deadline-driven

Adaptability

Physical stamina

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or related field

Five years related experience

Tools

Statistics knowledge

Job description

Description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis USA part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Associate Sensory Scientist based in Buffalo, NY. The Associate Sensory Scientist is a functional role supporting and maintaining the Lactalis Passion for Taste program under the guidance of the Associate Sensory Manager. This position is responsible for assisting the execution of the sensory expert panels, implementation of trained factory panels and support the evaluation of business directed R&D sensory panels.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Coordinate the Sensory Experts Panels on a weekly basis: prepare surveys and samples, set up room for tasting
• sessions and prepare technical reports using appropriate statistical methods using best practices.
• Support training for various dairy category products with the Sensory Expert Panels and propose action plans to
• improve panel qualification of all sensory attributes.
• Evaluate the Sensory Expert Panel performance periodically and assist the recruitment of new panelists as needed,
• following Lactalis Global guidelines.
• Prepare monthly technical report of pillar product performance to be submitted to Lactalis Global QA and internal
• Quality, Marketing, and R&D cross-teams.
• Maintain an updated database of the various tests of products as well as selection, training and performance
• evaluation of the Sensory Expert Panels, plus all other relevant information.
• Procure commercially available dairy products on a weekly basis for use by Sensory Expert Panels, functionality and
• application testing, and other tastings.
• Provide panel attendance to account payable team for panelist compensation on a weekly basis and submit expense
• reports of sample purchase and other materials.
• Provide support to manufacturing plants to implement and maintain the Factory Sensory Panels, including training of
• Sensory Coordinators, creation of SOPs and the monthly report.
• Alert plant and corporate quality teams regarding negative trends in product performance results by both expert and
• factory trained panels.
• Assist the Marketing Department during consumer test (60/40, Preference Mapping, etc.). Be part of the sample
• collection and validation through the Sensory Expert Panel prior to the test. Contribute to verify that the consumer
• test is done following best practices.
• Support R&D and Marketing teams by providing technical guidance and sensory evaluation for special projects as
• needed.
• Support the culinary manager with product functionality evaluations and/or development of new recipes as needed.
• Work with Corporate Quality Director and R&D to organize Executive Leadership Team monthly product tasting
• sessions.
• Travel to manufacturing plants and headquarters office on a regular basis to provide support to Factory Sensory Panels
• and meet with Corporate Quality Director
• Provide technical assistance as needed during investigation related to quality issues or other special projects.
• Travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required.
• This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks
• that may be assigned.
• To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree or higher preferred; or equivalent experience to
• include a minimum of five (5) years job related experience
• Ideally candidate must have Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or related field with education and experience in
• Sensory Evaluation, Dairy Technology and Statistics.

Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree or higher preferred; or equivalent experience to
• include a minimum of five (5) years job related experience
• Ideally candidate must have Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science or related field with education and experience in
• Sensory Evaluation, Dairy Technology and Statistics.

Specialized Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge and understanding of statistics

Skills / Abilities / Specialized Knowledge:

• Strong attention to detail and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Need to be able to work independently and in teams, with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines within specified time constraints.
• Ability to operate in a transversal environment, across multiple departments.
• Ability to adapt in a changing work environment.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affinity Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.