Quality Control Sensory Specialist - Erlanger, KY

ADM; Erlanger (KY); On-site; USD 49,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Physical wellness

Financial wellness

Mental and social wellness

Paid time off

Adoption assistance

Tuition assistance

LinkedIn Learning

Job summary

ADM seeks a Quality Control Sensory Specialist at its Erlanger, KY site to lead day-to-day QC sensory testing for product release. You will train technicians, set up tests, and review results, ensuring traceability and adherence to global standards.

You will maintain SOPs, conduct sensory acuity screening, and coordinate proficiency testing. The role supports CAPA investigations and reports trends to leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience in a QC lab or food/flavor manufacturing environment preferred; training will be provided.
• Experience training, coaching, or mentoring others preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads day-to-day QC sensory testing activities for product release, including setting up tests, coordinating technicians, and reviewing results.
• Oversees sensory testing of raw materials and in-process samples, participating in testing as needed.
• Reviews sensory testing notes to ensure proper recording per policy and global standards with traceability.
• Maintains and updates site QC sensory SOPs; trains technicians and ensures procedures followed.
• Responsible for new technician sensory acuity screening, training and qualification.
• Maintains storage and space for sensory controls/standards, tracking stability and changes.
• Maintains sensory training materials, including spiked samples and sensory supplies.
• Assists with CAPA investigations related to customer complaints on sensory deviations.
• Reports program performance trends to regional/global leadership on a regular basis.
• Escalates resourcing needs to regional/global QC sensory leadership.
• Implements method or protocol changes as directed.

Skills

Organizational skills

Sensory methods

Training others

Data accuracy

Follow-through

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science, Chemistry, or related field

Job description

Job Description

Quality Control Sensory Specialist - Erlanger, KY

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.

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly and salaried non‑exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.

If hired, employees will be in an “at‑will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

The pay range for this position is expected to be between:

$49,000.00 - $87,300.00

Benefits and Perks

Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we support your diverse needs with a comprehensive total rewards package to enhance your well‑being, including:

• Physical wellness – medical/Rx, dental, vision and on‑site wellness center access or gym reimbursement (as applicable).

• Financial wellness – flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401(k) with matching contributions and cash balance plan, discounted employee stock purchasing program, life insurance, disability, workers’ compensation, legal assistance, identity theft protection.

• Mental and social wellness – Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Colleague Giving Programs (ADM Cares).

Additional benefits include:

• Paid time off including paid holidays.

• Adoption assistance and paid maternity and parental leave.

• Tuition assistance.

• Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, language training and mentoring programs.

*Benefits may vary for bargained locations, confirm benefit eligibility with your recruiter.

#IncludingYou

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM's efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments — environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.

We welcome everyone to apply. We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, language, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law

About ADM

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry‑advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.