Food Product Development Technologist I / Product Development and Sensory Technician
Lancesoft
Pleasanton, CA
JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$28.14
LOCATION
Pleasanton, CA
POSTED
14 days ago
Location: Dublin, CA 94568
Duration: 06 Months Contract
Hours: 08: 00 AM TO 05: 00 PM (Mon –Fri)
Pay Range: $25.00/hr. To $28.00/hr.
Job Description:
Position Overview:
- Request or procure all proposed and benchmark product samples needed to conduct product evaluations/comparisons.
- Inventory and manage all samples;ensure all samples required for a project are available on schedule.
- Receive and initial review of technical documentation accompanying requested samples.
- Stage products for evaluation and lead cross-functional meetings to execute the evaluations.
- Document evaluation feedback from project stakeholders to approve or determine next steps.
- Support Sensory Manager and Product Developers with preparation, administration and cleanup of sensory evaluations.
Responsibilities:
- Collect all sample products required to execute a product comparison and/or evaluation, may include procuring at various local retailers or requesting from new and/or existing suppliers.
- Ensure all samples are available in a timely manner to align with project timelines.
- Breakdown and appropriately dispose of all sample shipment packaging, including ice packs and dry ice.
- Confirm all required product specifications and documentation are received with samples, and follow-up with suppliers, as required.
- Coordinate all product evaluations by scheduling people, reserving rooms/kitchens, and staging & plating products under the direction of the lead product development scientist.
- Prepare food samples according to preparation instructions, and the ability to taste all food product types (no/minimal food aversions), all under supervision of lead product development scientist.
- Documenting all feedback into formalized evaluation reports, taking photos of sample products as needed, and supporting lead product development scientist to determine next steps.
- Disposing of used product samples, and cleaning & sanitizing the evaluation test kitchen area(s) after completing product evaluations.
- Juggle multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Update project trackers, enforce scope and objectives that align with organizational goals.
- Escalate project barriers and risk when needed to the lead product development scientist.
- Keep all project stakeholders updated through constant communication regarding evaluation timing, status, results and next steps.
- Maintain inventory tracking databases to manage and organize the product samples.
- Support needs of multiple projects in various stages simultaneously.
- Document results of product evaluations for review by the lead product development scientist and any subsequent communication to the project stakeholders.
- Deliver project details for handoff to the appropriate implementation team member.
- Label testing supplies and sensory room set up for sensory evaluations.
- Prepare and serve samples during sensory panels.
- Clean up after sensory panels
- Adhere to all Technical Center SOPs and client policies.
- Perform other duties, as assigned by supervisor or lead product development scientist.
Skills & Experience Needed:
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or other applicable science background or equivalent combination of education and related experience. Someone with a HS Degree and minimum of 4 years as a food server.
- ServSafe Certification or similar required.
- 0-3 years food handling experience.
- Intermediate culinary skills and the ability to prepare food samples according to preparation instructions.
- The ability to repeatedly lift up to 40 pounds.
- Excellent customer facing and internal communication skills.
- Hands-on experience with managing project trackers and teams.
- Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills.
- Proven success in a corporate setting working with all levels of management.
- Exceptional organization and tracking skills to manage hundreds of samples for each project.
- Self-motivated and able to work autonomously with a sense of urgency and integrity.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficient in PC skills in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access).
- Able to develop strong working relationships through teamwork and transparency.
About the Company
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