Position Title Sr. Specialist - Sensory Food Science

Overview This individual will be responsible for leading, coordinating, and executing sensory activities on and off-site. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing the recommended learning plans in addition to operating, maintaining, organizing, and cleaning all sensory panel activities. This includes working with project owners and third‑party groups to design the testing needed, identify all resources, interpret test results, and report to key stakeholders across the organization. The role would collaborate with the Insights (CMI) team to develop consumer learning plans that integrate sensory with customer assessments as needed for a project. This individual will have the ability to build strong relationships and provide leadership to internal partners to facilitate the execution of the sensory program. The role requires planning, organizing, and executing multiple sensory initiatives and may also provide training support as needed. The Sensory Sr. Specialist, Menu Services will report to the Sr. Team Leader of Menu Services. This role needs the ability to lead collaborative support teams to execute sensory. Responsibilities Lead sensory‑related activities including: Lead, coordinate, and execute the design of sensory testing including descriptive & discrimination methodology Interpret sensory data for organizational projects Develop and maintain budgetary discipline for sensory resources: staffing, inventory and equipment Ensure all sensory tasks meet project timelines and cost targets Schedule and coordinate contractor teams to accomplish effective operation of sensory projects Ensure contractor team members practice Chick‑fil‑A procedural compliance and follow food‑safety best practices Maintain sensory inventories including reference library items Manage sensory testing schedule with internal and external partners Lead discrimination panel execution Manage, grow, and maintain panel Supervise and manage scheduling of support team Utilize sensory software to program and execute test methods Review results and report findings Identify, develop, strengthen, and maintain vendor relationships Collaborate and strengthen integration with Customer Market Insights as needed for customer testing Assist training as needed to convert work methods into training materials of various formats Participate in project teams as Menu Services sensory SME as needed. Required Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities) 3+ years in a sensory role Proven track record of excellence in leadership, problem solving, and analytical skills Excellent communicator of technical information to non‑technical audiences High attention to quality & detail In‑depth project management experience Experience designing experiments, processes and testing Versatile mind and proven ability to influence key stakeholders in decision making across multiple areas of the organization Ability to raise, manage, and mitigate project issues and risks Proven success in multi‑tasking and managing multiple project deadlines simultaneously while quickly adapting and re‑prioritizing work based on business needs Experience supporting the work of multiple leaders Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or Apple computer software applications Proficiency in math and statistics Maintains highest level of confidentiality Restaurant experience Training in sensory science Training in statistical process control ServSafe Certified Experience managing a trained panel Experience integrating sensory and consumer insights data to make business decisions Experience using sensory testing software (such as SIMS, RedJade, Compusense) Skills and abilities: People: Personable and approachable, strong interpersonal skills that encourage team cooperation, promote enthusiasm, and motivate relationship building Excellence: Demonstrates a positive attitude and confidence; sets high standards; pursues everything with energy and drive; committed to growing and developing capabilities Collaborator: Brings diverse groups across internal and external teams together and leads SMEs toward a common outcome Passion: Go‑getter with relentless pursuit of excellence in a competitive, changing environment Communication skills: Writes clearly and succinctly in a variety of settings and styles; conveys messages effectively Creativity: Thinks across disciplinary lines, applies insights from one discipline to another, and remains curious and continuously learning Making complex decisions: Solves even the toughest problems; quickly learns new and different approaches; brings personal wisdom to reach best conclusions and solutions Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities) Restaurant experience Training in sensory science Training in statistical process control ServSafe Certified Experience managing a trained panel Experience integrating sensory and consumer insights data to make business decisions Required Years of Experience 3 Travel Requirements 20% Required Level of Education Bachelor’s Degree Preferred Level of Education Master’s Degree Major/Concentration Food Science, Sensory Science, or other technical discipline Preferred Major/Concentration Food Science, Sensory Science, or other technical discipline #J-18808-Ljbffr Chick-fil-A Corporate