Sensory Scientist

Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Bell Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. in Northbrook, IL is seeking a Sensory Scientist to design and lead sensory and consumer research that supports product development, quality, and business decisions. You will apply scientific methods and statistics to generate actionable insights for internal teams and customers.

The role requires leading descriptive panels, developing testing protocols, and collaborating with R&D, Marketing, and Quality to translate results into practical recommendations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, sensory science, or related field.
• Five to seven years of sensory or consumer research experience, including descriptive panel leadership.
• Familiarity with descriptive analysis, discrimination testing, and product-based consumer research.
• Experience developing and maintaining lab SOPs and training teammates.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and manage sensory and consumer research studies for flavor and fragrance projects.
• Lead internal sensory panels, including scheduling, sample coordination, panel facilitation, data analysis, reporting, and follow-up.
• Support Descriptive Analysis program through panelist recruitment, training, lexicon development, data collection, and interpretation of results.
• Develop and validate sensory methodologies, testing protocols, and best practices.
• Analyze research data and communicate findings to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Train team members, contractors, and panel staff on sensory procedures and SOPs.
• Manage external research vendors, timelines, budgets, fieldwork, and deliverables as needed.
• Maintain accurate research records, protocols, datasets, and reports.

Skills

Sensory research

Statistical analysis

Panel leadership

Communication

Project management

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science or related field

Master's in Sensory Science (preferred)

Tools

Compusense

Job description

Bell Northbrook
Northbrook, IL 60062, USA

Description

Bell Flavors & Fragrances - Northbrook, IL (On-site)

Position Overview

Bell Flavors & Fragrances is seeking a Sensory Scientist to design and lead sensory and consumer research that supports product development, innovation, quality, and business decision-making. Reporting to the Manager of Sensory & Consumer Science, this position will apply scientific research methods and statistical analysis to generate actionable insights for internal teams and customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and manage sensory and consumer research studies for flavor and fragrance projects.
• Lead internal sensory panels, including study scheduling, sample coordination, panel facilitation, data analysis, reporting, and follow-up.
• Support the Descriptive Analysis program through panelist recruitment, training, lexicon development, data collection, and results interpretation.
• Develop and validate sensory methodologies, testing protocols, and best practices.
• Analyze research data and communicate findings and recommendations to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Train team members, contractors, and panel staff on sensory procedures, sample preparation, laboratory operations, and established SOPs.
• Manage external research vendors, project timelines, budgets, fieldwork, and deliverables as needed.
• Maintain accurate research records, protocols, datasets, reports, and laboratory documentation.
• Partner with R&D, Marketing, Sales, Regulatory, Quality, and Innovation teams to translate sensory insights into business recommendations.
• Follow company safety, quality, food safety, laboratory, and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, sensory science, or a related field, such as biology, physiology, psychology, statistics, consumer science, or cognitive science.
• Five to seven years of sensory or consumer research experience, including descriptive panel leadership.
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis and sensory methodologies, including descriptive analysis, discrimination testing, and product-based consumer research.
• Experience developing and maintaining laboratory or facility SOPs and training team members on established procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and other Windows-based software.
• Ability to identify, distinguish, and clearly communicate differences among flavor and aroma stimuli.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, organizational, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Sensory Science.
• Flavor or fragrance industry experience.
• Experience using Compusense or similar sensory research software.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to taste and smell a wide range of food, beverage, flavor, and fragrance products.
• Ability to perform sensory evaluations without wearing fragrances or other scented products that could interfere with testing.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds and transport samples and supplies.
• Ability to work around food ingredients, allergens, odors, temperature changes, and cleaning agents while wearing required personal protective equipment.

Why Bell?

• Collaborative with cross-functional experts and contribute to consumer insights in an innovative environment
• Opportunity to make a direct impact on product quality
• Comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities
• Competitive salary range $75,000 - $85,000

Equal Opportunity Employer
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