Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Professional Organization
Publications
Timeline
Generic

Cynthia Cress

WAUWATOSA,WI

Summary

To leverage my expertise in sensory evaluation and consumer research to effectively lead and inspire a high performing sensory team towards success.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

CONSUMER TECHNICAL INSIGHTS & SENSORY

MOLSON COORS
09.2020 - Current
  • Designed qualitative and quantitative consumer research studies for product optimization and new product launches
  • Researched, validated and recommended the increased rigor of alternative discrimination test method for internal expert panels that was then linked to predict consumer relevance.
  • Implemented screening approaches that led teams through objective exploration of flavor spaces and prototype selection for consumer research
  • Co-managed the design of larger scale research projects including Landscape Segmentation Analysis™ for various areas of the beer categories and presented findings to technical and senior leadership audiences
  • Understood competitive landscape, discovered potential product opportunities
  • Applied actionable insights to help identify potential opportunities, influence decision making, & develop products
  • Built consumer centric mindset, partnered with Marketing and R&D, developed research strategies in alignment with business goals and priorities
  • Work through ambiguous situations with strong agility in adjusting to evolving business needs
  • Led both employee and consumer panel focus groups
  • Partnered with multiple flavor houses to understand internal capabilities to gain consumer feedback on prototypes to drive development of new innovations
  • Integrated AI technology into product development to compare to traditional CLT validation

SENSORY SCIENTIST

MillerCoors
10.2010 - 09.2020
  • Manage ITT (Interplant Taste Test) for 12 major breweries, craft and contract
  • Manage, plan, design and execute sensory analysis projects
  • Prepare verbal and written reports of sensory results with conclusions and recommendations
  • Collaborate with cross functional groups on projects as SME on sensory requirements
  • Support innovation, brewing, packaging, domestic and international groups
  • Experience with Flash Profiling using PCA, Time Intensity, Flavor Stability, Light Stability, Difference Testing and Session Tests
  • Develop and execute sensory panel training and panel monitoring programs
  • Maintain up-to-date and accurate sensory records
  • Trained expert Apple/Cider panel and Kombucha panel
  • Train and provide support to Sensory Specialists in breweries
  • Tetrad validation - A Three-Step Approach to Tetrad and Triangle Comparisons. Poster viewed at: 13th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium; 2019
  • Lead for Intensive Taster Training at US craft breweries
  • Conduct Quality Audits
  • Deliver sensory presentations; i.e. Beer University, Brewing Fundamentals and various special requests
  • Lead for Consumer / Distributor Complaints
  • Effectively communicate priorities and delegating work within our sensory group to provide top line customer service
  • Proficient with Excel, Minitab, SAS, SDMS, LIMS and Compusense

SENSORY TECHNICIAN

MillerCoors
04.2010 - 10.2010
  • Moderate round table evaluations and report data
  • Provide training to expert taste panel
  • Coordinate Sensory Session Tests, Time Intensity and Triangle projects
  • Provide training to expert panelists
  • Responsible for setting up and staging samples for flavor stability, triangles, light stability, time intensity and QDA projects.
  • Create and run projects in Compusense.
  • Set up and report all PTP’s (Packaging Test Plans)

Education

Bachelor of Science - Biology

The University of Findlay
Findlay, OH
12.2008

Skills

  • Qualitative Research
  • Quantitative Research
  • Consumer/Technical Insights
  • Cross-Functional Teams
  • Data Analysis/Reporting
  • Descriptive Analysis
  • Design of Experiments
  • Discrimination Analysis
  • Leadership - Project Teams
  • Panel Leadership/Training

Certification

General Certificate in Brewing Examination, November 2018

Institute of Brewing & Distilling

Cider Certification Program Level 1, May 2016

United States Association of Cider Makers

Applied Sensory and Consumer Science, 2012

UC Davis

ISO 9001: 2008 3-Day Certified Internal Auditor Training, 2014

AQS Management Systems, Inc.

Professional Organization

Society of Sensory Professionals

ASBC

Publications

Rousseau B, Ennis J, Cress C, Harmon  J, McIngvale S, Thompson S. A Three-Step Approach to Tetrad and Triangle Comparisons. Poster viewed at: 13th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium; 2019, Jul 28-Aug 1; 2019; Edinburgh, UK

Timeline

CONSUMER TECHNICAL INSIGHTS & SENSORY

MOLSON COORS
09.2020 - Current

SENSORY SCIENTIST

MillerCoors
10.2010 - 09.2020

SENSORY TECHNICIAN

MillerCoors
04.2010 - 10.2010

Bachelor of Science - Biology

The University of Findlay

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Cynthia Cress