Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. With more than 13,500 associates working globally in 100 countries and annual sales of $5.9 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.
Rich Products is looking for a Principal Sensory Scientist to join our Global Innovation Center of Excellence (COE), as part of the Research, Innovation, and Compliance (RIC) organization. This role is a subject matter expert (SME) within Sensory and Consumer Science that will drive consumer centricity throughout cross-functional and cross-regional innovation and renovation processes to help deliver Rich’s 2030 Vision.
This role will be based at our WHQ in Buffalo, NY, with expected travel of up to 25% per year.
- Serve as a trusted advisor and recognized consumer and sensory expert to lead complex, strategic projects in a US and global context that have broad based implications across R&D, the business and across categories. Cultivate foundational knowledge to accelerate and deepen understanding of ingredients, processes, products, packaging and consumers.
- Utilize mastership of foundational and advanced design of experiment techniques and their application to escalate Innovation and Renovation impact, efficiency & agility. Utilize advanced market research approaches as decision tools to enhance innovation / renovation products that are differentiated in the marketplace. Design Consumer Research Framework for Core, Adjacent and Transformational innovation opportunities and execute consumer and sensory research that closes the knowledge gap of our innovation opportunities, challenges, markets, consumers, products, and processes.
- Build and enhance functional capabilities and ensure cross-functional execution of global consumer centric sensory programs. Lead the implementation of these programs across all research and development & manufacturing sites, local and global.
- Ensure mastership and full utilization of internal sensory discrimination panels. Support development of descriptive analysis panels and advance validation procedures. Develop panel performance KPI’s to ensure the highest level of integrity and results are obtained through their use.
- Frequently mentors associates within sensory and R&D teams (i.e. international, joint ventures) and conducts training to develop and enhance their technical knowledge and expertise.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration with RIC CoEs, Marketing, Insights, Finance and Supply Chain to ensure technical feasibility and market relevance for consumer platforms. Leverages financial acumen to ensure cost-effectiveness is built into product design and ROCS.
- Create and recommends Sensory IP strategy and roadmap for data to develop LLM / AI modeling capabilities.
- Represent the company with outside vendors, suppliers, universities, associations and governmental agencies. Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information.
- Perform related responsibilities, as needed, to support Rich Products Corporation's business objectives.
- University graduate with a MS or PhD in food science, sensory evaluation, sensory science, psychology, consumer science, marketing research, nutrition or statistics required.
- Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of industrial/applied research experience.
- Master’s degree with 8+ years of industrial/applied research experience.
- Ph.D. with 7+ years of industrial/applied research experience.
- Subject matter expert in consumer, sensory, and market research techniques applied across the organization- from early ideation to post launch assessment, in business and R&D contexts, Expert knowledge of and research experience in sensory perception including:
o Discrimination testing
o Descriptive analysis (including temporal methods)
o Consumer methods (qualitative and quantitative)
o Methods development & design thinking
o Statistics (Univariate, Multivariate, etc.)
o Design of Experiments
o Panel recruitment and maintenance
o Panelists validation, training and motivation
o External agency management
o Application of sensory techniques in quality, QA and compliance
- Strong track record of innovation within consumer-packaged goods and foodservice within the food industry.
- Ability to drive organizational change and foster a culture of innovation.
- Senior-level sensory leadership within R&D innovation teams.
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
- Experience working with global and remote teams.
- Strong business results orientation with a focus on measurable impact.
- Expertise with digital Sensory and Market research tools (Compusense, Recollective, Suzy), as well as statistical analysis software (Minitab, R, SAS etc.)
Work Environment & Safety Notice
- Research and Development laboratories are not food-allergen-free environments. Individuals with severe food allergies should consider this before applying.
- Employees may occasionally be exposed to Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) detergents through smell or incidental contact during routine operations.
- Exposure to food ingredients, chemicals, and cleaning agents is expected; appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety training will be provided to minimize risks.
- Work may occur in varying temperature environments, including refrigerated and heated areas.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs safely.
- Stand for 6 or more hours during the workday, with opportunities for sitting.
- Regular bending, stooping, crouching, and reaching to access equipment, materials, and storage areas.
- Ability to work in confined spaces and at various heights, including occasional climbing of ladders or steps.
- Push, pull, and maneuver carts, bins, and equipment, including heavy items with the assistance of mechanical aids when necessary.
- Manual dexterity and fine motor skills for handling small components and operating precision instruments.
- Ability to use hand tools and equipment safely and effectively as required for operating various laboratory or production equipment.
- Sensory ability to compare and distinguish differences in ingredients, materials, and products through taste, smell, touch, and visual inspection.
- Ability to follow all safety protocols, including proper lifting techniques and ergonomic practices.
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COMPENSATION
In accordance with state law, the rate or range provided is Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Rich's"), reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may be higher or lower, based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, shift differential, and location.
Annual Range/Hourly Rate
$120,996.00 - $181,494.00
Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Rich’s”), are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity, standing up for fairness and maintaining a culture of belonging, to provide an exceptional experience for all. We will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich’s. Please contact Rich’s Associate Experience Network at [email protected] if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.
