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Sensory Analysis Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sensory Scientist

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

In this role, you'll lead sensory and consumer research projects, manage our Sensory Center, and ... Analyze data and communicate results to internal and external stakeholders * Maintain compliance ...

Analyze and interpret sensory data to guide business decisions Qualifications * Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science or related field * 5+ years of sensory or consumer science experience in ...

New

Designs experiments and interpret statistical analysis of results for sensory evaluation assessments. * Coordinates and collaborates across the R&D teams, and business teams, on the process of new ...

Sensory Support: Assist in organizing sensory analysis panels and product testing, collecting and consolidating data for the broader team. * Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the ...

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Sensory Analysis information

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$10

$29

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How much do sensory analysis jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for sensory analysis in the United States is $29.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.95 and $33.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs pay 10,000 a month without a degree?

In sensory analysis, most roles require specialized training or certifications, and high-paying positions typically demand a degree or extensive experience. Generally, jobs paying $10,000 a month without a degree are rare and often involve entrepreneurship, sales, or skilled trades, but in sensory analysis, advanced roles usually require formal education or industry-specific credentials.

What is a Sensory Analysis job?

A Sensory Analysis job involves evaluating the sensory characteristics of products, such as taste, smell, texture, and appearance, to ensure quality and consumer satisfaction. Professionals in this role design and conduct sensory tests, collect data, and analyze results to help improve product formulations. They often work in the food, beverage, cosmetics, or consumer goods industries. Strong analytical skills and knowledge of sensory testing methodologies are essential for this role.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

High-paying jobs that can reach $2,000 a day typically include specialized roles such as senior consultants, surgeons, anesthesiologists, or experienced legal professionals. These positions often require advanced degrees, certifications, and significant expertise, and may involve consulting, freelance work, or contract-based assignments in high-demand industries.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working in Sensory Analysis?

Professionals in Sensory Analysis typically spend their days designing and conducting sensory tests, preparing product samples, collecting and analyzing data from panelists, and collaborating with product development or quality assurance teams. You may also be responsible for training sensory panel members, maintaining testing environments, and presenting findings to stakeholders. The role often involves both hands-on laboratory work and data interpretation, offering a dynamic and varied workday. Effective communication and collaboration with colleagues across departments are essential to implement improvements based on sensory data.

How much do sensory panelists get paid?

Sensory panelists typically earn between $10 and $20 per hour, depending on the industry, location, and experience. Compensation may also include incentives or bonuses for participation in specific testing sessions or projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Sensory Analysis position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Sensory Analysis, you need a keen sense of smell and taste, attention to detail, and a background in food science, chemistry, or a related field. Familiarity with sensory evaluation methods, laboratory equipment, and statistical analysis software such as Compusense or XLSTAT is highly valuable. Strong observational skills, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams are important soft skills in this role. These skills ensure accurate data collection, meaningful interpretation of sensory results, and successful contributions to product development or quality control.

What does a sensory analyst do?

A sensory analyst evaluates the sensory attributes of products such as taste, smell, texture, and appearance to ensure quality and consistency. They use specialized testing methods, often working in controlled environments, and may require training in sensory science or certifications like the Certified Sensory Professional. Their work supports product development, quality control, and consumer satisfaction.
More about Sensory Analysis jobs
What cities are hiring for Sensory Analysis jobs? Cities with the most Sensory Analysis job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Sensory Analysis jobs? The most popular types of Sensory Analysis jobs are:
What states have the most Sensory Analysis jobs? States with the most job openings for Sensory Analysis jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Sensory Analysis jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Sensory Analysis jobs are:
Infographic showing various Sensory Analysis job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,835 per year, or $29.2 per hour.
Sr Research Scientist, Popcorn & Kid Snack

Sr Research Scientist, Popcorn & Kid Snack

The Hershey Company

Hershey, PA • On-site

$93K - $119K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


The Hershey Company rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 108 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

137th of 381 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Location: Hershey, PA
Summary:
The Senior Research Scientist, R&D - Popcorn & Kid Snacking (Flavor Development) leads the development of new seasoning systems and flavor innovations for the SkinnyPop, Pirate's Booty, LesserEvil and any new brands under Popcorn and Kid Snacking platform. This role drives projects from early-stage concepting through pilot testing, scale-up, and commercialization, ensuring that flavor profiles meet consumer expectations for taste, aroma, texture, and overall eating experience.
This position requires deep technical expertise in savory flavor systems, seasoning blends, and salty snack formulation. The Senior Research Scientist partners closely with Marketing, Consumer Insights, Sensory, Quality, Procurement, Engineering, and Operations to deliver innovation aligned with business strategy. The Senior Research Scientist also mentors junior team members and contributes to the long-term flavor platform roadmap.
The ideal candidate is a strong technical problem solver, a collaborative cross-functional partner, and a proactive innovator with a passion for shaping the future of flavor in salty snacks.
Responsibilities:
  • Flavor Innovation & Technical Leadership.
    • Lead formulation and development of new seasoning blends, flavor systems, and product concepts for SkinnyPop, Pirate's Booty, and LesserEvil.
    • Apply advanced understanding of flavor chemistry, ingredient interactions, processing effects, and delivery mechanisms to optimize taste and aroma.
    • Conduct hands-on benchtop work, prototype creation, seasoning blending, and feasibility testing.
    • Translate consumer insights and culinary trends into differentiated flavor solutions.
    • Own the technical strategy for flavor development
  • Sensory, Consumer Learning & Data-Driven Optimization
    • Partner with Sensory & Consumer Insights to design sensory tests, consumer validation, preference mapping, and flavor optimization plans.
    • Interpret sensory, analytical, and consumer data to refine formulations and guide decision-making.
    • Lead technical integration of sensory learnings into product design and development standards.
  • Process Scale up and Improvement
    • Support pilot plant trials and manufacturing scale-up for new seasoning systems and flavor launches.
    • Develop seasoning application parameters and troubleshoot issues related to adhesion, flavor intensity, stability, and batch-to-batch consistency.
  • Collaboration & Project Support
    • Serve as technical lead on cross-functional innovation teams, providing input on timeline, feasibility, risk, and resourcing.
    • Partner with Marketing on innovation briefs, claims feasibility, and strategic flavor direction.
    • Contribute technical recommendations that balance consumer delight, cost constraints, and operational feasibility.
    • Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to ensure robust technical transfer to production.

Minimum experience, skills, and education requirements:
Technical Skills
  • Knowledge of savory flavor chemistry, seasoning blends, carrier systems, ingredient functionality, and flavor delivery technologies.
  • Understanding of salty snack processing (nice to have) and its influence on flavor performance (e.g., popcorn, puffed/expanded snacks).
  • Strong skills in sensory analysis, consumer evaluation methods, data interpretation, and iterative product optimization.
  • Experience designing and running pilot-scale seasoning application trials.
  • Working knowledge of food safety, labeling, regulatory requirements, and quality systems.

Leadership & Collaboration
  • Proven ability to independently lead technical projects of moderate to high complexity.
  • Strong influencing skills with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Insights, Engineering, Quality, and Operations.
  • Excellent communication skills-able to translate technical detail for non-technical partners.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced, matrixed environment.

Mindsets & Behaviors
  • Creative, curious, and motivated by developing breakthrough flavor experiences.
  • Strong analytical thinker with rigorous documentation and problem-solving skills.
  • Comfortable managing multiple parallel projects with shifting priorities.
  • Collaborative, proactive, and adaptable.
  • BS degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related field with 3-7 years' experience, MS in Food Science or related field with 2-4 years' experience. Intern and prior research project work will be considered
  • Ability to work in lab, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments.
  • Occasional travel (10-20%) to plants, suppliers, or pilot facilities.
  • Ability to lift materials and equipment (up to ~25 lbs) as needed for lab or pilot work.

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#LI-Onsite
The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.
You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability.
You can request an accommodation via phone or email.
To request an accommodation via phone, please call +1 877-804-1794 and leave a voicemail with your contact information. You may also email a request for accommodation to ApplicationHelp@hersheys.com. Please be sure to include "Accommodation Needed" in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.

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