Food Scientist - Ninja Test Kitchen

About Us 

SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positively impact people’s lives in homes around the world. Powered by two trusted, global brands, Shark and Ninja, the company has a proven track record of bringing disruptive innovation to market, and developing one consumer product after another has allowed SharkNinja to enter multiple product categories, driving significant growth and market share gains. Headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts with more than 3,600+ associates, the company’s products are sold at key retailers, online and offline, and through distributors around the world.  

Position Summary:

The Ninja Test Kitchen is looking for a Food Scientist to join our vibrant group of global chefs and food scientists. Our team takes a unique approach to product development, blending culinary arts and the science of food. The Ninja Test Kitchen shapes the product roadmap, development and story creation.

The Ninja Test Kitchen is highly collaborative, and team members are expected to contribute feedback and problem-solving ideas across all projects. Team members are expected to have a strong knowledge of the industry, to be familiar with the latest food trends, and to foster a curiosity for product development. This position will be based at our Corporate Headquarters in Newton, MA, with the opportunity to travel up to 1 week per month (25% of the time) domestically & internationally on a by need basis.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct research and development exploration and testing on competitive products to inform product strategy/roadmap
• Define sensory testing approach, protocols and parameters to guide product development, evaluate prototypes, validate claims, etc.
• Provide training to key stakeholders to integrate sensory practices and testing into the product development process, as needed
• Collaborate with product development owners, engineers, program managers, & brand managers to ensure that data collection meets scientific, engineering, and product requirements
• Translates findings from experiments and literature research into actionable insights
• Conduct sensory testing to define consumer preference and satisfaction in taste, texture, and aroma to help define key performance indicators and drive product decisions in technology
• Create questionnaires and lead sensory sessions, as needed
• Keep detailed test data and results in an organized and clear manner as well as develop test datasheets for new protocols
• Meticulously records testing results and shares results as needed with key stakeholders in a timely fashion
• Assists, attends, and presents at internal and external events, as needed
• Continuously applies current state of the art in sensory science and perception to Global Sharkninja Development

Qualifications:

• 1+ years of related culinology/food science experience or a related field, preferably at a consumer goods company
• Degree from an accredited Food Science, Food Engineering or Culinology program
• A mindset geared toward building relationships across multi-functional teams, coupled with excellent interpersonal skills
• Highly-effective communication skills – both written (presentation/email) and in-person (ability to host succinct, effective conversations that solve problems and ability to make effective presentations to all levels of management, including SharkNinja’s executive leadership team)
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and stay organized in a fast-paced environment
• A desire to learn and grow in a passionate environment.  The ability to embrace transparency and shifting priorities while learning from each decision and focusing on the path forward
• Comfort with standard sensory software analysis tools (RedJade, Compusense, etc.)
• Ability to work with a Global sensory mindset, with up to 25% travel time yearly (1 week per month) for international