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Taste Tester Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

UNC Health Careers

Food Services Supv

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$19.98 - $28.54/hr

Supervises all merchandising, temperature and taste testing of all food items records results. Other Information Other information: Education Requirements: High School diploma or GED Licensure ...

Carolina CoPacking

Food Scientist

Henderson, NC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

This role involves hands-on product tasting, analytical testing, and collaboration across departments to ensure consistency, safety, and innovation in all products produced by the facility. Key ...

UNC HEALTH

Supervisor Food Services

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$19.78 - $28.12/hr

Supervises all merchandising, temperature and taste testing of all food items records results. Other Information Other information: Education Requirements: • High School diploma or GED Licensure ...

Carolina CoPacking

Food Scientist

Henderson, NC

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

This role involves hands-on product tasting, analytical testing, and collaboration across departments to ensure consistency, safety, and innovation in all products produced by the facility. Key ...

Es Vedra Cinemas

Kitchen Manager

Cary, NC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Ensures food quality by completing thorough line checks and tasting/testing food on a consistent basis. * Understanding of or the ability to take direction on managing food cost, labor cost and ...

House-Autry Mills

Food Scientist

Four Oaks, NC · On-site

Ensure proper testing procedures are in place and are being properly utilized. * Compliance with ... Develop new formulas to match taste and performance while minimizing cost * Provide product samples ...

City of Durham, NC

Business Services Analyst

Durham, NC · On-site +1

$68K - $105K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Not only do we deliver the Best Tasting Water in the state to our customers each and every day, but ... Participate in system testing for updates, patches, and enhancements. * Research, compile, analyze ...

City of Durham

Business Services Analyst

Durham, NC · On-site +1

$68K - $105K/yr

Not only do we deliver the Best Tasting Water in the state to our customers each and every day, but ... Participate in system testing for updates, patches, and enhancements. Research, compile, analyze ...

City of Durham

Plant Maintenance Mechanic

Durham, NC · On-site

$53K - $78K/yr

Not only do we deliver the Best Tasting Water in the State to our customers each and every day, but ... testing equipment or removing equipment for rebuild at the shop; cleaning and/or washing down the ...

Material Bank

Applied AI Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

... testing, iteration, and human-in-the-loop evaluation strategies. * Partner closely with Product ... and taste. * Open-source contributions, side projects, or publicly demonstrable AI work that ...

City of Durham

Plant Maintenance Mechanic

Durham, NC · On-site

$53K - $78K/yr

Not only do we deliver the Best Tasting Water in the state to our customers each and every day, but ... testing equipment or removing equipment for rebuild at the shop; cleaning and/or washing down the ...

City of Durham, NC

Plant Maintenance Mechanic

Durham, NC · On-site

$53K - $78K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Not only do we deliver the Best Tasting Water in the State to our customers each and every day, but ... testing equipment or removing equipment for rebuild at the shop; cleaning and/or washing down the ...

City of Durham, NC

Plant Maintenance Mechanic

Durham, NC · On-site

$53K - $78K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Not only do we deliver the Best Tasting Water in the state to our customers each and every day, but ... testing equipment or removing equipment for rebuild at the shop; cleaning and/or washing down the ...

All JobsTaste Tester JobsTaste Tester Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Taste Tester information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$10

$14

$19

How much do taste tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for taste tester in Raleigh, NC is $14.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.08 and $15.57 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.
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Taste Tester jobs near you
Infographic showing various Taste Tester job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $29,799 per year, or $14.3 per hour.

Food Services Supv

UNC Health Careers

Raleigh, NC • On-site

$19.98 - $28.54/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Summary:
Under supervision, supervises the activities of all employees involved in the Nutrition and Food department areas of patient services, sanitation, cafeteria services, food production and nutrition support.


Responsibilities:
1. Ensures all policy and regulatory standards are met, including health regulations and JCAHO standards. Remains current and compliant with ServSafe Manager Level Certification according to the statutes of the state of North Carolina.
2. Establishes own work plan and priorities, using and/or modifying established procedures. Assists in the development of plans, methods and procedures for improving the overall operations of the department, including quality improvement processes.
3. Interviews, hires, trains, schedules, and evaluates food service staff. Makes recommendations for disciplinary action up to termination as necessary. Maintains appropriate records.
4. Maintains high standards of sanitation throughout the work areas. Enforces a 'clean as you go' policy and proper food handling. Ensures a safe work environment issues work orders for repairs.
5. Manages staff in accordance with Hospital's personnel policies and holds others accountable for the same. Schedules staff. Is responsible for employee time and attendance, payroll and other records as assigned.
6. Participates regularly in supervisory and other meetings and holds staff meetings as necessary and in accordance with departmental expectations.
7. Responsible for recipe development, food preparation, food presentation, distribution to service sites, proper holding of foods to be served and utilization of leftovers. Ensures staff are using safe food handling and proper cooking techniques, and that diet restrictions are being followed. Supervises all merchandising, temperature and taste testing of all food items records results.


Other Information

Other information:
Education Requirements:
High School diploma or GED
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
No licensure or certification required.
Professional Experience Requirements:
Two (2) years food service experience
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:


Job Details

Legal Employer: NCHEALTH

Entity: UNC REX Healthcare

Organization Unit: Rex FNS Main

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Salary Range: $19.98 - $28.54 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Variable

Location of Job: US:NC:Raleigh

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No


This position is employed by NC Health (Rex Healthcare, Inc., d/b/a NC Health), a private, fully-owned subsidiary of UNC Heath Care System. This is not a State employed position.


Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.

Employment Type:

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