Sr. Manager, Sensory Testing - Morris Plains, United States - Wella

Description

Position Title: Sr. Manager, Sensory Testing

Location: Calabasas, CA

Reports to: VP OPI R&D

ABOUT THE WELLA COMPANY

Together, WE enable individuals to look, feel, and be their true selves.

Wella Company is one of the world's leading beauty companies, comprised of a family of iconic brands such as Wella Professionals, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin and ghd. With 6,000 employees globally, presence in over 100 countries, Wella Company and its brands enable consumers to look, feel, and be their true selves. As innovators in the hair and nail industry, Wella Company empowers its people to delight consumers, inspire beauty professionals, engage communities, and deliver sustainable growth to its stakeholders.

For additional information about the Wella Company please visit

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Manager, Sensory Testing will be responsible for leading all in vivo product testing, inclusive of:

1. Insights Generation: Focus Groups, Co-Creation Community, and Salon Immersion Program
2. Product Screening: Nail R&D Expert Panel, Nail Pro Co-Creation Panels & Consumer Use Testing
3. Product Validation: In-Market Testing & Third-Party In Vivo Testing

Lead OPI R&D Sensory Testing Strategy:

• Partner with OPI R&D formulation and packaging teams to understand initiative objectives and design in vivo product testing learning plan to define FFU success criteria and confirm product performance.
• Lead 'aid to formulation' and performance qualification testing execution against aligned success criteria. Set schedule and adapt to testing priorities.
• Own the In Vivo Testing plan through full testing process, inclusive of: volunteer screening & scheduling, digital testing setup, study deployment & execution.
• Analyze, report and present in vivo product testing data. Contribute testing data and insights to project reviews and Gate meetings.
• Align testing plans with Claims & Method Development Associate Director to confirm testing outcome will meet claims substantiation requirements.
• Lead sensory testing team of 3 direct reports, focusing on efficiency, capability growth, and skill building.
• Stay up-to-date on new research techniques through conferences, research materials and industry experts; apply methods new to OPI, as appropriate through a 'test and learn approach'.

Insights Generation

• Design & lead qualitative Focus Groups internally or with an external agency based on project initiative objective, inclusive of exploring new product / services ideas or early-stage prototype / packaging screening, partnering with R&D, CMI, and Global Marketing teams as needed.
• Lead Salon Immersion Program to gain team insights on salon services and offerings, focusing on product usage & protocols, service consultations, trends, and overall consumer experience.

Product Screening

• Manage OPI Test Salon Nail R&D Expert Panel to ensure all testing is completed on time and according to test design. Perform audits and training to align Nail Evaluators to standardized scoring system to ensure actionable feedback to R&D for product formulation changes.
• Develop & maintain Nail Pro Co-Creation Panel in US & EU, partnering with Global Education and regional teams as needed to identify ideal candidates for panel.
• Manage and grow OPI volunteer database in support of Retail Consumer Use Testing, recruiting volunteers that fit with specific OPI criteria and consumer segmentation.

Product Validation

• Design & lead product validation internally through in-market testing or with a third-party supplier. Partner with R&D & OPI Global Education to develop test plan & recruiting criteria.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors or Master of Science with 5+ years relevant sensory testing experience and demonstrated management experience.
• Area of study include Sensory Science, Food Science, or Cosmetic Chemistry
• Demonstrated proficiency with digital testing tools and reporting systems, including EyeQuestion and statistical software program (JMP, XL- STAT)
• Knowledge of innovation development, market and consumer insights, sensory & instrumental protocols
• Strong collaborator and team builder
• Excellent interpersonal, communication (written/oral) and organizational skills
• Strong diplomacy, influencing, and leadership skills
• Knowledge and passion for nails and beauty industry
• Ability to create PowerPoint presentations summarizing project learnings, status, and next steps
• Deliver clear insights through analyzing multiple/complex data sets.
• Must be proficient in Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel.

We disclose the compensation range for positions in compliance with local law. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of Wella Company's total rewards package for employees. Pay Range: $123,000-$145,000 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonus plan or variable pay, depending on the role. In addition, Wella Company provides a rich variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance, life and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).

EEO OPPORTUNITIES

We offer equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Wella Company with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us at:

We strongly believe that cultivating a diverse workplace gives a company strength. The combination of unique skills, abilities, experiences, and backgrounds creates an environment that produces extraordinary results. EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled.

English - Please click on this link to review the Notification of Equal Opportunity Rights poster

Español - Por favor, haga un clic en el enlace para revisar el poster de la Ley de los Derechos de Igualdad de Empleo