Product Researcher

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Floss PR Research Specialist will focus on consumer understanding and method development for floss products.
• This role translates consumer insights into consumer-relevant testing methods used to evaluate current and new floss products, with the goal of measuring product performance across multiple parameters.
• The specialist will be responsible for product score carding, demo development, and—when needed—designing and executing small-scale consumer studies to validate methods.
• This role is critical in driving innovation, improving user satisfaction, and ensuring floss products meet the highest standards of quality and effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop new consumer-relevant testing methods focused on critical product parameters for Manual floss & Floss picks.
• Test new technologies and scorecard product performance to inform Product development decisions & Ongoing method refinement.
• Refine and optimize methods in collaboration with Product Research (PR), Sensory, Analytical, Process & Formulation teams.
• Independently conduct technical testing to support technology development.
• Create minimum viable prototypes (MVPs), when needed, to validate hypotheses.
• Facilitate rapid, iterative testing using creative problem-solving approaches.
• Evaluate key product attributes and ensure results are reliable, reproducible, and aligned with project objectives.
• Support product score carding and demo development activities.
• Assist in small-scale qualitative and/or quantitative consumer studies when required.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Support the product team in refining and prioritizing the product backlog.
• Conduct customer and market research.
• Document findings analytically and communicate insights clearly.

Skills to Have and/or Expect to Learn:

1. Method Development & Innovation:

• Develop and optimize floss testing methods grounded in consumer insights.
• Performance (cleaning, comfort).
• Usability (dispensing, feel in hand).
• Additional benefits (e.g., flavor).
• Some prior experience in method development is required.

2. Consumer Insights:

• Analyze consumer behaviors and identify key drivers to incorporate into testing methods.
• Design and execute qualitative and/or quantitative studies to inform product development.
• Analyze and interpret data using statistical methods.
• Possess a foundational understanding of small- and large-scale consumer testing.

3. Demo Development:

• Create engaging demonstrations to communicate product benefits and features.
• Prior demo experience is not required; this skill can be learned on the job.

Hands-On / Execution Focus:

• Ideal for individuals inspired by hands-on experimentation and basic science.
• Performs day-to-day applied research work that is primarily execution/procedural in nature.
• Assemble samples and prototypes.
• Run lab test routines and follow SOPs.
• Create and update specifications using standard information.
• Execute changes involving simple technical solutions.
• Submit products for analytical testing.

Utilize Client systems, including:

• SMART.
• Desktop Reporter.
• GAIMS.

Work Environments:

• Laboratories.
• Plants or pilot plants (internal or external).
• Clinical sites.
• Consumer settings.
• Computer-based research.