We have an exciting opportunity for a Food Laboratory Technician to join us working on-site at Mar's Wrigley's Consumer Innovation Center in Chicago!

MMR is a global leader in guiding innovation for clients within the food, drink and personal care sectors. We advise many iconic global brands, as well as up-and-coming innovators. Our culture is vibrant, fast paced, yet friendly and supportive. Our work practices embody both scientific rigor and creative drive, leading to innovation in research methods and techniques to facilitate our clients’ creative business thinking.

The Lab Technician will report to the Sensory Panel leader / Manager, assisting them to ensure that sensory projects run smoothly by managing all activities related to the sensory panels’ sessions, overseeing sensory laboratory operations and efficiency.

Key responsibilities in this role:

• Maintain sensory kitchen/laboratory functionality by checking stock to determine needed supplies/products, placing orders, and verifying receipt of supplies/products.
• Maintain sensory kitchen/laboratory productivity by monitoring workload of functional areas; identifying peak and slack periods; making operational, layout, or staffing adjustment.
• Receive, store and prepare samples/materials for all sensory panel sessions.
• Research, source, prepare and manage products and sensory references for sensory panel sessions.
• Program the sensory software (EyeQuestion) for sensory project data collection - training will be provided.
• Follow, apply and document appropriate research protocols, including identifying and assigning appropriate test design, measurement, and concentration calculations.
• Ensure that sensory panel working areas and all associated materials and equipment are prepared appropriately for each session and cleaned after.
• Ensure that all activities carried out comply with basic food hygiene standards - training provided if required.
• Maintain and develop kitchen laboratory Standard Operation Procedures by identifying information needs and problems; recommending improvements; establishing priorities; and training technicians.
• Assist Sensory managers in administrative duties related to the sensory panel (e.g. timesheets, scheduling, updating databases, coordinating with panelists and contractors)
• Occasionally run panel sessions to cover for illness/absences of the panel leader
• Promote a positive and pleasant working environment for all at MMR, at all times

Requirements

You will know you're right for this role if you have...

• Strong organizational skills and great attention to details
• Ownership and accountability
• Self-management and flexibility to adapt to priority changes
• Leadership and good communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with colleagues
• A degree or certification in Food Science is a plus
• Ability to stand for up to 6 hours a day
• Must be able to lift up to 20lbs
• Proactivity and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Computer literate, with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Hands-on experience in Laboratory or Food Service environment is ideal; in a sensory lab is a plus.

Benefits

MMR offers an open, diverse and non-hierarchical environment, where our people are valued at every level, in every location.

MMR delivers a class leading set of marketing science tools and approaches, many of which are proprietary to MMR. We are endorsed by our global client base for our agility, technical expertise and willingness to adapt research solutions to directly focus on specific client challenges. We’ve built a reputation of providing innovative statistical analysis and techniques, coupled with optimal research design consultancy, that successfully delivers against our clients’ specific business objectives.

MMR is an Equal Opportunities Employer