Sensory Science Program Leader - Eurofins USA Food Testing

Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries, to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable. From the food you eat, to the water you drink, to the medicines you rely on, Eurofins works with the biggest companies in the world to ensure the products they supply are safe, their ingredients are authentic and labelling is accurate.

Eurofins is the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing and in agroscience Contract Research Organisation services. Eurofins is one of the market leaders in certain testing and laboratory services for genomics, discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and in the support of clinical studies, as well as having an emerging global presence in Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations. The Group also has a rapidly developing presence in highly specialised and molecular clinical diagnostic testing and in-vitro diagnostic products.

In over just 30 years, Eurofins has grown from one laboratory in Nantes, France to 55,000 staff across a decentralised and entrepreneurial network of 900 laboratories in over 50 countries. Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods to evaluate the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of biological substances and products.

In 2020, Eurofins generated total revenues of EUR € 5.4 billion, and has been among the best performing stocks in Europe over the past 20 years.

SAM is a fast-growing and global sensory and consumer research consultancy.  Our mission is to allow consumers a voice in the development of outstanding food, beverage, pet, and health & beauty products so to create high quality and memorable experiences.  We help our clients:

• Develop new product ideas
• Re-energize a well-established product
• Assess product-concept fit or packaging effectiveness
• Understand the product, brand and category competitive landscapes
• Protect product quality through from inception through end of shelf life

SAM The National Food Lab is the division of SAM that provides these services for all USA-based clients.  Our sensory science program resides in our USA headquarters in Minneapolis, MN.

The statements below reflect the general responsibilities and requirements of the Sensory Program Director position but may not describe all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

Reporting to SAM TNFL Managing Director, this leadership position is responsible for the design and delivery of best-in-class sensory services, the nurture and growth of key client accounts, and training and development of sensory panel leaders, technicians, and panelists. 

This position sits on SAM TNFL’s management team and will manage people, have accountability for the growth and financial performance of their sensory program, and ownership of a key method innovation or process improvement initiative.

The following is a list of job responsibilities; this list is not exhaustive.  Additional tasks may be available as business needs dictate.

• Build and maintain superior customer relationships for satisfaction, loyalty and business growth. 
• Design and recommend customized research solutions using SAM The National Food Lab tools and capabilities. 
• Achieve financial goals/budget, including revenue, project profitability and department costs/expense. 
• Provide consultative research design expertise to each projects.
• Works with direct reports as their critical thinking partner:
  • Evaluates test design and cost estimates for sound design, execution, and financial assumptions (anticipate and prevent defects).
  • Review final reports to be clear and actionable.
• Continuous review of methodologies and processes, championing new capabilities and/or looking for opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, safety and employee performance.
• Train and develop direct reports
• Develop and maintain a thought-leadership presence in the professional sensory science community.
• Collaborate with cross-functional department heads to continuously improve and innovate standard operating procedures so to expand project profitability, client satisfaction and to protect/enhance our competitive point of difference in the market
• Collaborate with other units across SAM and Eurofins Scientific, such as product development, processing and pilot plants, chemistry, microbiology etc., to deliver the best integrated research and development approach.
• Other duties may be assigned as dictated by business necessity

Success in this role will be determined by the individual’s scientific expertise, influence and credibility, business acumen, detail orientation, ability to work with others as a team, and customer service orientation.

The Basic Minimum Requirements:

• Degree in Sensory Science/Food Science
• 5+ years of experience in sensory and consumer research or a related field
• Or a combined level of relevant advanced degree or experience
• Authorization to work in the US for any employer, indefinitely, without sponsorship.

The Ideal Candidate would possess:

• Sensory research technical expertise.
• Sales aptitude.
• Financial acumen.
• Effective communication, interpersonal skills, both verbal and written.
• Teamwork and ability to solve problems creatively and efficiently.
• Demonstrate and inspire passion and drive for excellence.
• Critical thinking and attention to detail.
• People management and development.
• Excellent organizational skills

Work Environment & Physical Demands:         

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds (50 lbs. with assistance).
• The employee must have the ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Lab regularly processes known food allergens including egg, soy, wheat, milk, fish and shellfish, treenuts, peanuts, sulfites, gluten, chocolate, fruit, natural or artificial sweeteners (like aspartame or Phenylalanine), natural or artificial colors.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Excellent full time benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, dental, and vision options
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays

Eurofins is a M/F, Disabled, and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.