Associate Product Development Manager (Sensory)

Job Description
Overview:
This is a hands-on Research &
Development role working in an array of environments including but not limited to the DPZ WRC office, Test Kitchen and Sensory Lab, third party research facilities, DPZ stores, and external photography and videography studios. Responsible for providing expertise pertaining to in house consumer sensory methodology, product evaluations, data based insights, and thought leadership for continuous improvement. This role requires a mastery of customer products and processes. Responsible for leading and executing product related logistics for off-site CLTs. Support all aspects of product development as detailed below. Job duties outlined here are not intended to be all inclusive and could include other responsibilities to fulfill job requirements.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
(30%) Manage and execute sensory testing
Apply the principles of consumer food insights and sensory attribute evaluations effectively into project work to guide decision making. Perform high level project management to execute multiple tests concurrently and within the required timelines.
Support Product Development, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Supply Chain Operations, and Store Operations. Protect consumer driven product attributes balanced with a holistic view of cross functional business needs.
Plan and conduct sensory testing including discrimination (similarity)
Evolve the SOPs to include best practices to increase efficiency, ensure accuracy, and training for the future. Maintain changes over time, and elevate the SOPs to become best in class.
Evaluate product samples utilizing sensory and product quality terms for appearance, flavor, and texture. Provide guidance to product teams on the correct test design.
Recruit in and around Domino’s Farms as needed. Maintain database of in-house sensory panelists. Contract with external supplier(s) as needed. Validate supplier performance by auditing their recruits.
Develop accurate recruiting screeners, testing ballots, bake/serve schedules, and sample rotation requirements.
Communicate and document product requirements including product code date &
shelf life requirementsfor test and control products. Coach as needed.
Ensure the product makers make products to standard and following proper sampling protocols. Coach as needed.
Analyze data accurately and per approved statistical standards.
Communicate test results and recommendations to cross functional teams and leadership.
Present sensory information to technical and non-technical audiences. Adjust verbal communication and electronic reports accordingly.
Align on results and recommendations with the project team before presenting to leadership
Serve as a consistent and positive ambassador for the DPZ brand when up to 1000 external customers participate in Super Sensory annually
Follow all DPZ security procedures for hosting external guests. Ensure the consumer facing area is clean and free of confidential information.
Manage and build relationships with external suppliers.
Maintain MCAs &
contracts with third party/external research partners. Follow all DPZ requirements for contract authorization. Ensure suppliers are adhering to the contract expectations. Obtain corrective action as needed.
Stay abreast of evolving technical capabilities to help raise the bar for the sensory program.
Maintain the sensory hardware and SIMS software. Network with IS to build technical bench strength to ensure computers remain in functioning order.
Work within approved budget of up to $100,000. Track expenses, confirm funding before tests are contracted.
Purchase and stock all supplies needed for sensory testing including panelist incentives (gift cards, snacks, etc.). Ensure there is enough stock to support testing needs.
Create and present business case for improvements as needed
Follow the Ariba process for contract approval and invoice processing
Additional
Train and educate cross functional team members on sensory testing protocol, test design, etc.
Develop and perform sensory science and taste training sessions for cross functional team members.
Support descriptive testing as needed
(40%) Support the Product Development team and execute product testing for consumer appeal for new and/or existing menu items.
Work on multiple projects concurrently. Certain individual tasks may be delegated to lead while others are support.
Act as a DPZ menu item/product expert. Prep and make samples as needed for product evaluations/project meetings to help drive projects forward. Articulate pre and post bake product attributes including color, flavor, texture, handling, etc.
Independently lead and execute product making for external focus groups and CLT testing.
Serve as the site-specific lead for consumer testing. Make product to standard, according to set schedule, identify, correct and/or communicate issues that may impact the integrity of the test. Coach cross functional team members on CLT protocol and requirements. Verify accuracy.
Order, pack, and ship supplies according to timelines and project needs.
Coordinate with SCC, research facility and/or pizza store to make sure food order, equipment and resources needed for testing arrive on time and are in working condition. Proactively prepare for alternative solutions. Follow necessary protocol to hire and pay store team members to support product testing as needed.
Document actual product performance during the consumer test;
sensory attributes, physical product requirements, oven settings, and food safety temperatures.
Maintain and update actionable SOPs for each city.
Participate in all aspects of product development and cross functional product work (innovation &
renovation) from ideation through commercialization, including development, operational testing, supplier matching, hold and release, training, etc.
Participate in ideation sessions, food tours, trend tours with a productive and creative mindset. Manage external supplier working sessions (food &
equipment needs, help with DPZ ops, shipping supplies, etc.). Anticipate needs, set up, make products and clean up as needed.
Responsible for unpacking &
labeling prototype samples, updating tracking log and communicating to project lead. Make samples &
prototype builds for the project teams during development.
Independently plan and execute product shelf life and operational evaluations, equipment testing, etc. per required timelines.Use consumer, product, operational, and business knowledge to
Collect and analyze data necessary for product formulation &
specification decisions(weights, food safety temperatures, texture analysis, viscosity, etc.). Write reports, communicate findings, and make recommendations to project leads and other key stakeholders as applicable.
Help develop specifications, procedures and standards for products. Write specifications in Intelex as assigned.
Be a product expert and make “Great” products for team and project evaluations, executive and investor showings, franchise advisory councils, etc. Make products and clean up as needed.
Obtain competitive products, evaluate portions and write reports.
Support all product and Test Kitchen demands including but not limited to BOD lunch planning, still photo shoots, live action productions, SCC orders, TK daily set up, clean up, scheduling, equipment maintenance, R&
D conference room scheduling, etc.
(20%) Lead the cross-functional Monthly Product Council meeting and project work
Manage the agenda and logistics for the MPC meetings where decisions are made on product testing, approval and commercialization. Professional collaboration with Product Development, QA, Procurement, SC &
Store Operations.
Coordinate with the product makers, set the schedule and evaluation format. Send the minutes including rational for decisions to the cross functional team.
Educate team members on the stage gate process. Maintain and update SOPs, brief templates, onboarding materials in the spirit of continuous improvement. Help coach and monitor high level project management.
Lead the annual Consumer Product Testing Matrix update. Partner and align with A&
I and other cross functional stakeholders.
Use current product expertise and serve as the point R&
D person participating in SC/QATS supplier equivalence projects (new supplier validation, ingredient replacement, cost optimization, etc.) providing a consumer product focused perspective to ensure product quality is maintained.
(10%) Development in support of individual and organizational goals and strategies
Special projects as assigned (such as descriptive testing, Gold Standard analysis, sensory compliance scoring, operations)
Linked In Learning, engagement and other professional development initiatives
Coaching pizza prep school annually, or involvement in other operational events as part of development
Conduct research on various topics as assigned (such as ingredient functionality, processing technologies and consumer trends)