Sensory Intern (Caldwell, ID)

Summary

Simplot internships are designed to provide meaningful work experiences for students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. All our internships are paid positions that are offered for a designated period. Each posting is unique with the duration and time commitment varied. Interns are assigned specific tasks to accomplish and are expected to participate in a variety of projects based on the business group. With these projects, interns can apply the skills and knowledge they are acquiring in school. There are many benefits of pursuing an internship with the J.R. Simplot Company. Our goal is to play an integral role in a student’s educational journey by equipping them with marketable skills and an understanding of each of Simplot’s business groups. We strive to instill a strong desire to work at the Simplot Company after graduation.  Simplot’s Food Group delivers a market-leading lineup of relevant, delicious foods for foodservice across a product portfolio of frozen potatoes, French fries, sweet potato fries, flame-roasted fruit and vegetables, avocados and more.  The R&D team plays a key role at Simplot to bring innovation and goodness to the plate, with great respect for Earth’s resources and giving back to the community.

We are seeking a motivated and creative Sensory Intern to join our innovation team. In this role, you will work closely with our Sensory group to collect and analyze data to create sensory baselines for core items resulting in a database of attributes and intensity scores that define Simplot’s portfolio.  These baselines will be used for comparing future product modifications or improvements and can also be used as a selling tool for the sales team. This role will sit within the Product Development Sensory department located the Simplot Technical Center in Caldwell, ID.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate a list of current Simplot items in scope for baseline data collection within allotted timeframe.
• Outline plan for securing multiple lot codes and scheduling descriptive analysis testing.
• Work closely with the Sensory team to tailor training exercises and execute product prep and data collection.
• Analyze and interpret data using statistical software to understand which attributes are defining attributes (Critical to Quality) along with how they compare and set themselves apart from others in the portfolio. 
• Conduct parallel consumer panels with the same lot codes to determine if there is a difference in liking scores that correlate with Critical to Quality defining attributes.
• Deliverables:  Generate a database of attributes and intensity scores provided by the descriptive panel that represents a fingerprint of core products defining what sets them apart from each other using solid data.  Present data in graph format for the Sales Team to use as a tool when selling.
• Present project objectives and key learnings to the Simplot Technical Center staff at the end of the internship.

Typical Education

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master's degree program in Sensory Science, Food Science, Food Engineering, Food Technology, Culinary Science or a related field.

Other Information

• Strong interest in sensory measurement and data analysis.
• Excellent research and analytical skills. 
• Experience with EyeQuestion or other sensory design methodology software.
• Can work with minimal supervision.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer proficiency, MS XLSTAT statistical software a plus.

• 40 hours/week, compensation based on year in school and academic years completed

• This is a 3 to 6 month internship based in Caldwell, ID