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Taste Tester Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Experience with sensory testing (e.g., taste, odor, appearance vs. reference sample, etc.) * Experience with basic chemistry (e.g., titrator, pH, dosing, graduated cylinders, mixing, etc.

We make coffee, tea and water taste better and help people live happier, healthier and longer lives ... testing and disposition of in-line and final product testing. Essential Duties and Key ...

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Taste Tester information

See Indiana salary details

$10

$13

$18

How much do taste tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for taste tester in Indiana is $13.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.72 and $15.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a taste tester?

Taste testers, also known as sensory evaluators or food tasters, are professionals who sample food and beverages to evaluate their flavor, texture, aroma, and overall quality. They provide feedback to food manufacturers, helping to develop new products or improve existing ones. Taste testers use their senses to detect subtle differences and ensure products meet company or industry standards. The job often requires a sensitive palate, attention to detail, and sometimes specialized training.

What does a taste tester do?

The job of a taste tester is to provide sensory feedback on food and beverages. Before food companies manufacture a product, they test out recipes and, as a taste tester, your duties are to provide input to the food technicians or chefs who survey you on a number of qualities about the product, such as taste, smell, and texture. Other responsibilities may include providing quality control and assurance to ensure that product taste and other qualities remain consistent within a batch and among batches.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a taste tester, and why are they important?

To excel as a Taste Tester, you need a refined palate, sensory evaluation skills, and often a background in food science or culinary arts. Familiarity with sensory analysis tools, tasting protocols, and sometimes certifications like Sensory Analyst are advantageous. Attention to detail, strong communication, and objectivity are critical soft skills for providing accurate and unbiased feedback. These abilities ensure reliable product evaluations, support quality control, and aid in the development of successful food and beverage products.

What are some common challenges faced by taste testers, and how can they be managed effectively?

Taste Testers often encounter challenges such as palate fatigue, maintaining objectivity, and adapting to a variety of products in a single session. To manage these, professionals use palate cleansers between samples, adhere to structured tasting protocols, and participate in regular calibration sessions to ensure consistency. Additionally, working in well-ventilated, neutral environments helps minimize external influences on taste perception. Team collaboration is also crucial, as sharing observations with fellow testers enhances accuracy and provides valuable feedback for product development.

What is the difference between Taste Tester vs Food Critic?

AspectTaste TesterFood Critic
Required CredentialsNone typically required; some food knowledge helpfulJournalism or food writing experience often preferred
Work EnvironmentFood labs, testing kitchens, or product development settingsRestaurants, media outlets, or online platforms
Employer & Industry UsageFood companies, product developers, market research firmsMedia, newspapers, magazines, online review sites

While both roles involve evaluating food, Taste Testers focus on product development and quality control, often working behind the scenes. Food Critics analyze and review restaurants or dishes for the public, providing opinions and ratings. The roles differ mainly in purpose, environment, and audience, but both require a good palate and food knowledge.

Do taste testers get paid?

Taste testers are typically paid for their work, which can include compensation per session or a regular salary, depending on the employer. Payment rates vary based on the industry, location, and the complexity of the tasting tasks, and some positions may also offer perks like free products or incentives. Experience and skills in sensory evaluation can influence earning potential.

What qualifications do you need to be a taste tester?

To be a taste tester, candidates typically need a good sense of taste and smell, attention to detail, and the ability to follow instructions. Some positions may require a high school diploma or equivalent, and experience in food or beverage industries can be beneficial. Physical ability to work in a sensory testing environment is also important.

What are the most commonly searched types of Taste Tester jobs in Indiana?

The most popular types of Taste Tester jobs in Indiana are:

What are popular job titles related to Taste Tester jobs in Indiana?

For Taste Tester jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Taste Tester jobs in Indiana look for?

The top searched job categories for Taste Tester jobs in Indiana are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Taste Tester jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Taste Tester job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Taste Tester jobs in IN?

For Taste Tester jobs in IN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Taste Tester job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $28,900 per year, or $13.9 per hour.

Quality Technician - Nights

Conagra Brands

Indianapolis, IN

$44K - $57K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago


Conagra Brands rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 134 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

196th of 443 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Reporting to the Quality Plant Manager at our West Indianapolis plant, you will conduct routine and specialized testing on inprocess materials, finished products, ingredients, and manufacturing supplies to confirm quality and compliance while supporting nightly production operations. You will maintain sample retention, document results with accuracy, and partner with crossfunctional teams to address quality issues and promote continuous improvement.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

  • Perform testing on ingredients, inprocess materials, and finished products to confirm they meet specifications.

  • Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and prepare standard testing solutions.

  • Record data, analyze results, compare outcomes against specifications, and escalate concerns when required.

  • Support special projects and provide qualityrelated guidance to production teams.

  • Collaborate with operations to resolve quality issues and support continuous improvement efforts.

  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment.

  • Work nights, including second and/or third shift, on a rotating schedule.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

  • High school diploma or GED; a college degree is preferred.

  • 1+ years of experience in a quality, laboratory, or manufacturing setting.

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

  • Strong attention to detail along with math skills necessary for interpreting measurements and graphs.

  • Comfort following written, verbal, and diagrammed instructions.

Physical Requirements

More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply:
You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination.
You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size.
This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.

#LI-Onsite

#LI-MW1

Compensation

Pay Range:$44,000-$57,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee's actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees' equity.Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:

  • Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement

  • Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan

  • Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement

  • Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions - within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye, Slim Jim and Reddi-Wip.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.


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About Conagra Brands

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Conagra Brands (NYSE: CAG) is an approximately $11 billion company that combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus and entrepreneurial spirit. We're transforming the way we operate to fulfill what consumers and customers want, in a smart, simple way. We're modernizing our iconic food brands, leveraging fresh opportunities and adapting to a changing landscape - all with a culture that's ready to capture growth and drive shareholder value.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1919

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