You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

Sensory & Consumer Insights Business Development Manager

Oregon State University

Sensory & Consumer Insights Business Development Manager

Oregon State University

Department: Food Innovation Center (AFC)

Appointment Type: Professional Faculty

Job Location: Portland

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: $65,000 - $85,000

Job Summary:

The Food Innovation Center is seeking a Sensory & Consumer Insights Business Development Manager. This is a part-time (0.75 FTE ), 12-month, professional faculty position.

This position is located in Portland, Oregon.

The Food Innovation Center (FIC ) Experiment Station—an off-campus unit of OSU’s Agricultural Experiment Station in downtown Portland—supports mission-oriented research in food product development, food process and packaging, consumer sensory science, and food safety. This position helps lead day-to-day management of the sensory and consumer science program and drives client services activity, revenue generation, and business development. The overall goal of the Food Innovation Center is to provide an integrated program of research, technical services and education that is aimed at enhancing the regional capacity for innovation in the agricultural and food processing sectors. Food and agriculture are vital sectors to the economy of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest region. Value-added processing and marketing of agricultural-based products offer considerable potential for expansion, economic growth, and job creation. This position will focus on the client services activity component of the FIC , expanding its capabilities for revenue generation and research. This would also allow client service personnel to coordinate promotional activities specific to the sensory program, improve efficiencies, and develop a strong marketing brand for the FIC .

Key responsibilities include: securing, planning, coordinating, and executing sensory and consumer services contracts; overseeing laboratory operations and scheduling; maintaining databases and systems (e.g., Compusense licensing and upgrades); supervising staff; and producing clear, actionable technical reports for clients. The role also supports collaborative research with other FIC and OSU programs and advances the external brand and visibility of the program, including international partnerships.

Oregon State University is committed to inclusive excellence. Employees design, develop, maintain, and deliver programs ensuring educational and outreach activities serve diverse populations, including those historically marginalized or excluded. All employees comply with Civil Rights and Language Access regulations and embody the principles in the College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS ) CARE Commitment.

Please visit the following webpages for more information on our commitment to inclusive excellence: OSU Extension Service https://extension.oregonstate.edu/about/diversity-equity-inclusion

OSU Moving Forward Together https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/president/moving-forward-together

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS :

• Top 1.4% university in the world

• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined

• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.

• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties

• 7 https://hr.oregonstate.edu/work-life/diversity-and-cultural-resources that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone

• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates

• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color

• 217k+ alumni worldwide

• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.

• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.

• Retirement savings paid by the university.

• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.

• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.

• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.

https://bestplace4workingparents.com/policies/

Future and current OSU employees can use the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU .

Key Responsibilities

45% Sensory Program Client services management

40% Business Development and Outreach

10% Mission-Oriented Sensory and Consumer Research/Scholarship

5% Other

What You Will Need

M.S. in Food Science, Market Research, or Related Field, with a minimum of 5-years’ experience in closely related field.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Demonstrated experience in customer service.

Industrial and/or research laboratory experience in sensory analysis.

Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Demonstrated experience fostering inclusive and equitable work environments through collaborative practices, respectful communication, and commitment to creating conditions where diverse individuals and perspectives can thrive.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

What We Would Like You to Have

Demonstrated competency with consumer/sensory science testing methodologies and related statistical software packages and analysis methods.

Business development experience includes managing client relationships, event and conference planning and an established network of industry relationships.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Travel and evening/weekend work may occasionally be required.

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by February 20, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents: 1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

For additional information please contact:

Marcia Walker

Marcia.walker@oregonstate.edu

503-872-6635

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks website including the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6905429

https://www.jobelephant.com/