Quality Control Sensory Specialist - Erlanger, KY

ADM; Erlanger (KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ADM is seeking a QC Sensory Program Lead at the Erlanger flavor site to oversee day-to-day sensory testing, technician training, and data review. You will ensure testing aligns with regional and global standards, maintain SOPs, and escalate issues as needed.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in food science or chemistry, experience in QC labs or flavor manufacturing, and a track record in mentoring others. On-site position with rigorous data accuracy and CAPA support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in food science, chemistry, or related field.
• Experience in QC lab or food/flavor manufacturing preferred; sensory experience is a plus.
• Some experience training or mentoring others is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day QC sensory testing for product release, including test setup and results review.
• Train, coach, and assess technicians; ensure SOPs are followed and records are traceable.
• Maintain sensory benches, controls, and storage with accurate documentation.
• Collaborate with regional/global leadership; escalate issues and resourcing needs as required.
• Support CAPA investigations and close gaps in sensory program effectiveness.
• Generate trend reports and provide management summaries on program performance.

Skills

Organizational skills

Training coaching

Attention to detail

Documentation

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science or Chemistry

Job description

Main Function

This role leads day-to-day execution of the QC Sensory Program at the Erlanger flavor site – overseeing technician training, test setup, performance monitoring, and results review – under the guidance of regional and global QC sensory leadership. The role ensures site QC sensory activities are executed to regional/global standards and escalates issues, deviations, or resourcing needs to regional/global QC sensory leadership as needed.

Main Function

This role leads day-to-day execution of the QC Sensory Program at the Erlanger flavor site – overseeing technician training, test setup, performance monitoring, and results review – under the guidance of regional and global QC sensory leadership. The role ensures site QC sensory activities are executed to regional/global standards and escalates issues, deviations, or resourcing needs to regional/global QC sensory leadership as needed.

Primary Duties

• Leads day-to-day QC sensory testing activities for product release, including setting up tests, coordinating technicians, and reviewing and discussing results
• Oversees sensory testing of raw materials and in-process samples, participating in testing as needed
• Reviews sensory testing notes and results to ensure proper recording per company policy and global standards, including traceability to the technician who collected or scored each result, to support accountability and investigation when needed
• Maintains cleanliness and organization of the sensory testing bench/area within the QC lab, ensuring minimal to no distractions that could affect the integrity of sensory results
• Maintains and updates site QC sensory SOPs; trains technicians on SOPs and ensures all procedures are followed
• Responsible for new technician sensory acuity screening, training, and qualification prior to routine sensory testing
• Responsible for existing technicians' weekly practice sessions, proficiency testing (PT), and quarterly assessments; generates reports, trend monitoring, and summaries for management review
• Responsible for maintaining a dedicated storage list and space for sensory controls/standards — separate and distinct from retain sample storage — including tracking stability and changes of controls, organizing sessions to taste and monitor control quality, and replenishing controls as needed
• Responsible for maintaining sensory training materials for the site, including spiked samples and sensory supplies
• Assists with CAPA investigations related to customer complaints on sensory deviations, identifies program gaps, and works to close identified gaps
• Reports program performance trends to regional/global QC sensory leadership on a regular basis
• Identifies and escalates resourcing needs — including staffing gaps, technician availability, and sensory supply needs — to regional/global QC sensory leadership
• Implements sensory method or protocol changes as directed by regional/global QC sensory leadership, flagging site-specific constraints before rollout

QUALIFICATION

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Chemistry, or related field preferred (open to equivalent experience)

Experience

• Prior experience in a QC lab, or food/flavor manufacturing environment preferred; sensory-specific experience is a plus but not required — training will be provided
• Some experience training, coaching, or mentoring others preferred

Core Skills/Traits

• Strong organizational skills — able to manage schedules, training calendars, documentation, and multiple ongoing responsibilities without things slipping
• Willingness and aptitude to learn sensory methods, testing protocols, and program requirements
• Ability to teach and coach others clearly and patiently — comfortable explaining procedures repeatedly and correcting technique
• Detail-oriented, especially around data recording, traceability, and documentation accuracy
• Reliable follow-through — proactively identifies gaps or issues rather than waiting to be asked

Communication & Judgment

• Comfortable escalating issues or asking for guidance rather than guessing
• Clear written communication for reports and summaries

Functional Requirement

• Must possess functional sensory acuity (taste, smell, texture perception) sufficient to credibly evaluate and review sensory testing results and technicians performance; no impairment that would interfere with sensory assessment duties

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.

REF:112533BR