Position Title: Supervisor

Business Title: Lead Sensory Panel Coordinator

Entity: Consumer Products Services Division

Department: ATL

Location: Mason OH

Reports to: General Manager

FLSA: Non-Exempt

 

 

Hours Worked:  Typically, Monday through Friday, forty-hours per week.  The primary work location will be Mason, OH, though travel to and work in St. Bernard, OH may be needed as requested – if there are gaps in studies in Mason, OH.

However, must be flexible to meet the needs of the department and complete projects as assigned.

 

Position Summary:

 

The Lead Sensory Panel Coordinator/Onsite Supervisor is responsible for leading sensory panel coordination: client panelist coordination; sample preparation for evaluation; oversight for panelist execution; collection of data; data entry into relevant client systems.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Lab Operations:

 

Ensures adequate supplies for the sensory panelists to properly do their tasks and informs client sensory personnel of needed items or supplies (such as cleaning products, testing supplies, etc.) Communicates needed maintenance or repairs in the sensory labs. Ensures sensory lab areas are kept in good and clean working conditions. Checks iPads/computers for updates and install or re-start computers as necessary.

 

Scheduling:

 

Schedules day-to-day work to be done by the panelists, that optimizes the amount of work while ensuring quality evaluations. Interacts with client sensory personnel or project members to understand their requirements and puts them on the schedule. Interacts with client sensory personnel on prioritizing projects on the schedule or on complex studies that require sensory expertise Promptly adjusts schedules as needed following client requests. Tracks attendance and working time for sensory panelists and submits time sheets to panel supervisor. Submits weekly timesheets for panelists & selves to supervisor. On an exceptional basis, works with client sensory personnel and supervisor if sensory panelists need to work in a different location and arranges for the sensory panelists to be present in that location.

 

Sensory Panel Administration:

Reviews test requests to ensure completeness and accuracy prior to placement of the test. Works with client sensory personnel and/or project teams to answer any questions and ensure proper test design. Schedules and participates in panel debriefs (after evaluations are finished) as requested. Ensures maintenance of study information and records including date, requestor, study number, type (training/claim/exploratory), and basic context. 

 

Running Sensory Panels:

 

Ensures samples are prepared and ready for evaluation by the sensory panelists Establishes the sequencing of presentation of samples (including randomization to minimize order bias), in partnership with client sensory personnel or project members Assign blinding codes to test samples as needed to ensure panelist objectivity Supplies copies of methodology and scorecards or ballots to sensory panelists Programs systems based on standard methods.  For new or non-standard methods, consult with client sensory personnel who will do initial programming and show how to program future studies. Ensures sensory panelists follow client-provided test methods or evaluation methods.  Recommend to client sensory personnel, improvements or modifications to test methods/evaluation methods, based on observations of the procedures or panelist feedback.

 

Data Reporting:

 

Reports data output to client sensory personnel. Reports out routine results of sensory evaluations to the test requestor within established deadlines. Works with the sensory scientist on studies that are non-routine and need more statistical analysis prior to reporting out the results. Reviews data entry by panelists into computer systems or paper ballots for completion and checks to see if there is a need to re-enter data or enter data for edits or corrections or enter panelist comments. Reports study results into any needed systems, such as Siemens.

 

Client Service and Leadership:

 

Ensures panelists follow the company and clients’s standards, including safety, quality, and dress code. Assists employees in correcting performance issues through coaching, counselling and performance improvement planning in conjunction with N+1. Takes action for minor panelist conflict resolution or escalates to supervisor as needed. Works with supervisor to schedule regular recalibration and requalification studies to ensure panelists are continuously calibrated. Attends monthly panel leader meetings to share best practices (led by supervisor or company). May work with requestors to answer simple questions around study submission, study design, study conditions, etc. Assists panel assistant if needed to complete tasks in a timely matter. This can include testing supplies such as anchors/references and malodors. Tracks issues with submissions or studies as they arise and notifies client sensory personnel when this occurs. Submits for perfume compounding or other material requirements via appropriate client systems in anticipation of needs for upcoming tests as assigned.

 

General:

Follow the guidelines set forth with clients and in the Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environmental policies and procedures. Comply with clients and Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc management systems in accordance with appropriate regulatory agencies. Follows the guidelines set forth in by clients and the Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc Quality Manual and Safety / Chemical Hygiene Plan. Adhere to the requirements of the company and client Quality System. Other duties as defined by Manager, department needs and workload.

 

Skills & Proficiencies:

 

Basic lab skills Must have strong attention to detail and the ability to learn quickly Must have good customer service skills - job is client facing and performed in client laboratory Must be proficient in basic programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel, and must have experience with keeping a laboratory notebook Written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively in a group setting, with colleagues and clients Organizational and time management skills Ability to perform multiple tasks Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet or exceed deadlines Individual and Team work ethic Positive attitude, self-motivated, high level of engagement Champions company values including team engagement Ability to present both facts and recommendations effectively Knowledge of statistical analysis tools Demonstrate team leadership Understanding of experimental design

Education and Experience:

 

Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree in a related scientific field Minimum of 1 year of client-facing experience Minimum of 1 year of industry laboratory experience. Minimum of 6 months of leadership/training experience Experience with client provided LIMS, safety systems, and intranet. 

 

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted in lieu of above.