Senior Sensory Scientist

The Senior Sensory Scientist I has responsibility leading the sensory learning agenda for specific initiatives within brands/categories. At Tyson, our Sensory leaders are strategic business partners. From front end exploration of sensory cues to robust validation, you’ll play a critical role in designing and launching winning innovative products. As a champion of our Consumer Product Performance Program, you’ll ensure our flagship products maintain the quality expectations of our long time consumers.

You’ll be challenged to identify new methods and approaches to drive continuous improvement and elevate the sensory function. Your work, in collaboration with R&D, Marketing and Consumer Insights, will influence important business decisions across the businesses you support.

Location:

Springdale, Arkansas (Greater NWA)
*** Relocation support may be provided for those candidates that qualify based on the Tyson Relocation Policy.

• Lead sensory learning agenda for both strategic & tactical initiatives; giving your perspective on how projects might impact the business long term
• Leverage your experience to effectively balance hybrid research approaches with existing knowledge and deep understanding of key sensory attributes to quickly deliver actionable guidance for R&D
• Translate consumer expectations to aid in functional product development and assessment of new technologies
• Interact with the leadership team, sharing key insights and offering advice on product-related challenges
• Work through ambiguous situations with assistance from manager, and demonstrate agility in adjusting to evolving business needs
• Develop & maintain strategic partnerships with Product Development, Consumer Insights, Marketing, Culinary, Packaging, Quality and External Research Vendors
• Learn and grow, as you stretch yourself to identify opportunities and drive continuous improvement to evolve the sensory function and your personal development
• Effectively manage the sensory budget; address and prioritize immediate and forward-looking strategic needs with manager support
• Champion the consumer product quality program, and recommend action into strategic planning
• Stay up-to-date on new research techniques through conferences, research materials and industry experts; apply methods new to Tyson, as appropriate, through a ‘test and learn’ approach
• Motivate, engage and empower junior team members through training and mentoring

Bachelor’s Degree in Sensory, Food Science, Psychology or related field; M.S., Ph.D. or Sensory Certification is preferred. Proficient in food or meat science. Industry experience with B.S. (6+ yrs.); M.S. (4+ yrs.);
Ph.D. (2+ yrs.).

This role does not have direct reports. Experience managing and/or mentoring junior team members a plus. Travel up to 25%.

• Food Science
• Sensory Science
• Advanced data analysis (design of experiments, category appraisals)
• Qualitative research
• Quantitative research
• New Methods Development
• Microsoft Office
• Project Management
• Budget Management
• Leadership
• Independence
• Strategic Agility
• Holistic Thinking
• Influence
• Collaboration
• Analytical Thinking
• Risk Assessment
• Prioritization
• Troubleshooting
• Mentoring

All professional team members are expected to demonstrate responsible use of approved AI tools, including safeguarding sensitive information, adhering to company policies, and validating AI-generated outputs. Individual Contributors should demonstrate the ability to integrate AI into daily work, improve efficiency through AI-enabled solutions, evaluate outputs critically, and apply professional judgment when using AI. People Leaders should demonstrate the ability to drive responsible AI adoption, enable effective use of approved…