Sensory Analyst

About Spindrift

At Spindrift, we’re making every beverage a positive force of nature. Founded in 2010, we believe the best flavors come directly from nature. That’s why every Spindrift beverage is made the hard way—with real squeezed fruit, never from concentrate. From sourcing the best-tasting fruit globally to maintaining a carefully honed manufacturing process, we believe in doing things the hard way, the intentional way, the better albeit more challenging way, the right way – because, in the end, it's worth it. Spindrift® sparkling water is available nationwide, and Spindrift Spiked® hard seltzer and Spindrift SODA are available in select markets. We are also a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating to environmental causes. Spindrift is headquartered in Newton, MA.

The Sensory Analyst Role

The Sensory Analyst will be responsible and accountable for leading sensory evaluations across the company’s beverage portfolio, maintaining the retain library, recruiting and training internal sensory panelists and collecting, synthesizing and archiving data as it relates to sensory evaluations. Responsibilities include:

Responsibilities

• Independently managing the Spindrift sensory program by overseeing onboarding and training of panelists, product retain tastings onsite, raw material evaluations, and standard production retains
• Managing the Product Retain Library to ensure it is neatly organized at all times, including maintaining an orderly process of receiving/processing product retains into the library upon arrival and the disposal/removal of out-of-date code samples
• Being accountable for sensory program documentation and reporting, including Quality System sensory data management
• Development and management of co-packer onsite sensory training, including, but not limited to; training of key personnel on site at all existing and future co-packer locations in sensory aspects of Spindrift raw materials and finished product
• Collaborating with various teams within operations on the following activities: finished product releases as needed, including review of finished micro reports and sensory evaluations, production holds as needed, including performing sensory evaluations on finished product and communicating results to relevant parties, onboarding and qualification of new suppliers, including performing required sensory evaluation of raw materials to determine acceptability for use, mock recalls internally and with suppliers/co-packers as required, and Spindrift ventures initiatives, including but not limited to overseeing raw material sensory evaluations, and packaging views

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Biology, Chemistry or related science field
• A minimum of 1-3 years of food safety experience, with experience in HACCP, GMP, USDA, or FDA preferred.
• A minimum of 1-year of sensory panel management in the beverage industry. A minimum of 2-5 years of sensory panel experience in food/beverage industry.
• Previous experience with SQF, ISO, GFCO, and/or FDA audits desirable
• Able to work with limited supervision
• Has excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment and considers no task too small nor too large
• Ability to identify and resolves problems independently and with sound judgment
• Ability to consistently demonstrate accuracy, thoroughness and dependability
• Establishes and maintains effective channels of communications with internal and external contacts
• Able to prioritize tasks and focus in accordance with changing deadlines and priorities
• Available to travel up to 25%

Benefits

The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $70,000 and is dependent upon the candidate’s experience prior to joining Spindrift. In addition, we offer the following compensation and benefits:

• Short-term incentive programs specific to level and department.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with a current employer contribution rate of 80% towards monthly premiums, regardless of plan type selected.
• Company-paid life insurance, and a 401k retirement savings plan with a company match.
• Monthly cell phone allowance.
• Annual allowances for personal use of Spindrift product, health and wellness, professional development, and social justice education.
• A host of voluntary benefits including but not limited to additional life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance.
• In addition to any paid leave benefits required by regulation, the company provides paid parental leave, vacation, sick, personal, bereavement, community service, and holiday time.