Sensory Specialist (m/f/d)

Role description

As a Sensory Specialist in our R&D team, you turn complex flavour questions into clear, well designed sensory studies. You build and train panels, select the right descriptive or discriminative methods, and run studies in Compusense to deliver reliable, actionable results.

In your day to day work, you recruit, train, and calibrate the sensory panel while designing and executing tests. You monitor panel performance, refine ways of working, and ensure studies are comparable across sites through clear methods and documentation.

You also provide sensory expertise to Quality Control and collaborate with cross functional, global teams and clients. By staying up to date with developments in Sensory and Consumer Science, you help improve our methods and outcomes.

Your Mission

As a member of the Sensory Science Team, you act as a sensory research partner to R&D and the Business Units, delivering high-quality sensory research through effective planning, execution, and coordination

• Lead sensory panels and train the panel.
• Design and execution of descriptive and discriminative tests, including test setup and logistics.
• Manage the planning, organization, execution, and evaluation of sensory tests in Compusense.
• Collect and organize panel performance data; support analysis, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support the global flavour language training across international locations.
• Contribute in the creation and revision of SOPs to maintain consistency and best practices.
• Handle administrative tasks, including sample preparation, documentation, and maintenance of sensory facilities.
• Deliver technical sensory consulting to the Quality Control team.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with global teams and clients to align on sensory methods, support meetings, and assist with training sessions.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in Sensory & Consumer Science.

Minimum Qualifications

• Academic Degree in Food Science, Sensory Science, or a related field.
• 2 years of hands-on experience in Sensory Science.
• Knowledge of descriptive and discriminative sensory methods.
• Experience in analyzing sensory data and panel performance.
• Understanding of statistical analysis relevant to sensory testing.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills, with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Fluency in German and English, both written and spoken.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with sensory and statistical software such as Compusense or R.
• Experience working in cross-functional or international teams.
• Professional experience in the flavour industry.
• Experience with Jira & Confluence.
• Experience in consumer insights.
• Willingness to travel and collaborate with global teams and attend relevant meetings and sensory activities.

Why you'll love working here

• Exciting tasks in an internationally operating, growing family business with flat hierarchies
• Flexible working hours and a hybrid working model
• 4 weeks remote work from other EU countries
• 30 days paid vacation per year
• Salary bands for a fair corporate culture
• Monthly allowance of €50 for your BAV
• Annual 360° feedback loops with clear promotion criteria and an individual career path
• Responsibility from day one in a company that encourages personal responsibility and growth
• Relocation costs can be reimbursed on a pro rata basis
• Regular company events such as summer party, Christmas party
• Paid team dinners or activities for each team twice a year
• Free parking right outside the door
• Perks and benefits: JobRad, subsidized lunch, subsidy for the Deutschlandticket, free language courses and discounted memberships at several gyms and for the Wellpass
• Fresh fruit, free drinks and snacks in the office

About us

At Arethia, we fuse our long-standing reputation with a continual push for progress. A rapidly expanding player in the flavour industry, Arethia specialises in delivering innovative taste solutions and co-creating products that consumers love. For more than 70 years, Arethia has been known for its close collaboration with customers and the highest quality standards. With over 350 employees spread across Germany, Switzerland, Dubai, and Indonesia, we aim to shape the future of flavours with a culture that values agility, transparency, and talent.