Description

Job Summary

Product Design is responsible for identifying technologies that enhance pet and pet parent liking of pet foods and supporting the implementation of those technologies across our premium wellness and therapeutic product portfolios. This Scientist position will be responsible for conducting research that provides data to help understand pet preferences and drivers of liking as well as pet parent preferences and perceptions of pet food product design attributes. This will involve innovative method development, executing pet and consumer studies, statistical analysis of results, interpreting data and preparing final reports. This role will partner with the Product Design Analytical team and work closely with Product Development as well as cross functional business colleagues to ensure successful execution. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Execute sensory studies to provide product guidance to drive business results: 
  1) Partner with Scientists and Engineers to understand study requirements, identify best methods for analysis, and design sensory test protocols 
  2) Prepare samples, set up tests and conduct/ oversee analyses 
  3) Independently analyze and interpret data
• Method development/ validation for investigating both pet and pet parent preferences and perceptions
• Conducting research studies to understand product attributes that contribute to performance of products throughout their life cycle.  
• Project management for internal and external studies to ensure successful execution 
• Summarize data into final reports and prepare and present data to a wide variety of audiences in the form of oral presentations, and written reports
• Lab maintenance and management including ongoing quality, safety and related trainings.  

This is not an exhaustive list of duties or functions.

Education/ Experience Requirements

Basic qualifications include:  
 

• BS in Sensory Science, Food Science, Nutrition, or related field 
• 3 years relevant work experience

Preferred qualifications include:
 

• MS in Sensory Science, Food Science, Nutrition or related field
• Experience leading trained sensory panels 
• Demonstrated understanding of food product performance research and understanding of food science principles 
• Working knowledge and experience using sensory testing hardware and software application tools 

Expected Areas of Skills:

• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision and manage multiple projects
• Demonstrated ability to design and run scientific experiments, specifically sensory research 
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills; ability to communicate and lead in a cross-functional environment. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and conceptual skills.
• Experience in applying statistical analysis to research studies
• Be able to meet scheduled deadlines
• Work within a project team environment
• Computer competency
   

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