Lead Sensory Panel Coordinator

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.