Senior Specialist, Sensory Panel Insights

Colgate-Palmolive; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 97,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

401(k) with company matching

Parental leave

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive is seeking a Product Sensorial Expert to lead sensory and consumer research programs for the oral care category. You will oversee global sensory evaluation processes, support research design and interpretation, and manage internal panels, employee tests, and external suppliers to ensure quality standards.

The role requires a strong background in sensory science, panel coordination, and data-driven insights, with a focus on innovation and rigorous methodological implementation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sensory Science, Psychology, Statistics, Food Engineering/Science, Marketing Research, or related fields.
• 4 years of experience in sensory science. OR 2 years of sensory science experience with a relevant Master's Degree
• Experience coordinating, training, and upskilling expert sensory panels

Responsibilities

• Support sensory and consumer research programs, ensuring the effective implementation of methodologies for product evaluations in personal and home care categories.
• Assist in designing research frameworks and methodologies, interpret results, and analyze data. Drive innovation by exploring and assessing the feasibility of new methodologies.
• Write comprehensive reports on assigned projects, presenting findings and actionable insights to support product development and enhancement.
• Manage logistics and supplier interactions, guaranteeing timely and quality-assured deliveries of services. Ensure accurate and timely supplier payments in line with company standards.
• Coordinate and execute employee and sensory evaluations with designated panelists or employee/consumer databases to support product development efforts.
• Oversee the administration and logistics of multiple panel databases, manage external suppliers and facilities, and maintain strong stakeholder relationships.
• Identify and integrate new sensory and consumer research methodologies to better support R&D initiatives. Suggest and implement process enhancements regarding sensory and employee protocols.
• Develop and implement incentive programs to enhance panel engagement and strengthen relationships with panelists.

Skills

Sensory science

Experiment design

Data analysis

Panel training

Education

BSc in Sensory Science

Master's in related field

Tools

Minitab

SPSS

SAS

Compusense

Python

Job description

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country

Job Number #175754 - Piscataway, New Jersey, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Product Sensorial Expert to lead and implement sensory and consumer research programs focused on the oral care category. In this role, you will oversee the sensory evaluation processes for global projects, support research design and interpretation, and foster innovation in methodologies and analysis. You will also manage logistics to conduct internal panels and employee tests as well as managing external suppliers and ensure adherence to Colgate-Palmolive’s quality standards.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities

• Research Implementation: Support sensory and consumer research programs, ensuring the effective implementation of methodologies for product evaluations in personal and home care categories.
• Research Design and Analysis: Assist in designing research frameworks and methodologies, interpret results, and analyze data. Drive innovation by exploring and assessing the feasibility of new methodologies.
• Reporting and Documentation: Write comprehensive reports on assigned projects, presenting findings and actionable insights to support product development and enhancement.
• Logistics Management: Manage logistics and supplier interactions, guaranteeing timely and quality-assured deliveries of services. Ensure accurate and timely supplier payments in line with company standards.
• Sensory Evaluations: Coordinate and execute employee and sensory evaluations with designated panelists or employee/consumer databases to support product development efforts.
• Database and Panel Management: Oversee the administration and logistics of multiple panel databases, manage external suppliers and facilities, and maintain strong stakeholder relationships.
• Innovation and Improvement: Identify and integrate new sensory and consumer research methodologies to better support R&D initiatives. Suggest and implement process enhancements regarding sensory and employee protocols.
• Engagement and Motivation: Develop and implement incentive programs to enhance panel engagement and strengthen relationships with panelists.

Minimum Requirements

Education, Experience, & Skill Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Sensory Science, Psychology, Statistics, Food Engineering/Science, Marketing Research, or related fields.
• 4 years of experience in sensory science. OR 2 years of sensory science experience with a relevant Master's Degree
• Experience coordinating, training, and upskilling expert sensory panels

Preferred Requirements

• Strong understanding of employee/consumer testing fundamentals, specifically focusing on implementation.
• Proficiency in Google Suite (Sheets, Docs, and Slides).
• Preferable knowledge of statistics and data entry systems such as Minitab, SPSS, SAS, Compusense, or Red Jade.
• Desirable knowledge of Python.

Compensation And Benefits

Salary Range $96,800.00 - $140,000.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.