Rajesh Kumar, Phd Email and Phone Number
Sensory and consumer research scientist with over eight years of industry experience and five years of academic experience in sensory analysis, consumer research, product development, innovation, and renovation. I have worked with several notable companies, including Nestlé, Frito Lay’s, Perfetti Van Melle, and ConAgra Foods, on various product categories such as snack foods, confectionery, plant-based meat products, as well as refrigerated and frozen foods. I have conducted consumer and sensory research for brands like Stouffers, Lean Cuisine, Life Cuisine, and Sweet Earth plant- based chicken and turkey products. Additionally, I have experience in international research, multi-market projects, cross cultural studies, lexicon development, descriptive and rapid sensory methods, quantitate and qualitative consumer testing, product sensory mapping, white space analysis, competitors’ assessment, preference mapping, sensory panel development and training.I have a strong education background in food science that includes engineering degree in food technology, masters in extrusion processing of grains, PhD in sensory analysis and consumer behavior, and a graduate certificate in applied statistics. I have published scientific research papers in prestigious journals such as Journal of Sensory Studies, and MDPI Foods.
Nestlé
View- Website:
- nestle.com
- Employees:
- 198363
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Consumer Sensory Insights SpecialistNestléOverland Park, Ks, Us
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Manager, Sensory And Consumer Research CenterKansas State University Olathe Apr 2023 - PresentOlathe, Ks, Us -
Consumer Sensory Insights SpecialistNestlé Jan 2021 - Jan 2023Vevey, Ch• Conducted consumer and sensory research for various products like mac & cheese, meat sauce lasagna, cauli- bowls, fettucine alfredo bowls, plant-based meat substitutions, etc.• Managed consumer and sensory research projects with external agencies such as P&K, MMR, IPSOS, Eurofins, and National Food Lab.• Provided guidance on the use of sensory evaluation and consumer testing methodologies.• Worked with cross-functional teams on product development, recipe refinement, ingredient replacement, ideation, concept building, and product creation.• Performed product category appraisal and sensory mapping for the USA market.• Support product and process mastership to better understand the effect of recipe and process parameters on sensory attributes and consumer acceptance.• Managed studies that include plan, design, analyze, and present results with actionable recommendations and significant impact on business partners.• Contributed to building and sharing knowledge in sensory and consumer competencies in R&D.• Trained and supported sensory panel development for meals and plant-based meat products.
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Graduate Research AssistantCenter For Sensory Analysis And Consumer Behavior, Kansas State University Jan 2018 - Jan 2021Manhattan, Kansas, Us• Worked as a project manager at the center for sensory analysis and consumer behavior.• Managed sensory and consumer studies with clear timelines including schedule, designs, procedures, techniques, panel management, documentation, statistical analysis, interpretation, and reporting to clients.• Project objectives include ideation, foreign market exploration, white space analysis, descriptive profiling, quality control, shelf-life, new product development, product testing, focus groups, and online surveys, etc.• Worked on diverse product categories such as snack foods, pet-food, baby-food, fruits, vegetables, non-dairy and dairy spreads, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, nail paints, shampoos, textiles, etc. • Assisted food companies in new product development, concept generation, product positioning, sensory space, and finding consumer insights. • Responsible for scientific writings, communication with clients, and international teams. -
InternNestlé Nutrition North America (Gerber) Jan 2020 - Jul 2020Arlington, Va, Us• Worked on a shelf-life improvement project for baby-foods, includes study design, accelerated model, sample pull point, storage conditions, modes of failure, KSA’s, correlate analytical and sensory data, digitalization of data collection, data analysis, and R&D reports, etc. • Analyzed claims substantiation data (2012-2020) for baby foods. For example, factors affecting claim substantiations and failures, relations of baby and adult likings on claim substantiations, claims terminologies, claims categorization (taste, convenience, nutritional, developmental), and consumer-centric claims, etc. • Developed flavor wheel for fruits and vegetables puree profiling. • Worked on ideation and product conceptualization projects such as baby-led weaning, baby’s first solid foods across the globe, feeding practices, universalization of fruit and vegetables puree cooking methods, etc. -
Graduate Research AssistanceDepartment Of Grain Science And Industry (K-State) Aug 2015 - Dec 2017Manhattan, Kansas, Us• Assisted extrusion projects such as schedule, design, raw material formulations, operations, product quality, documentation, statistical analysis, interpretation, and reporting to industrial clients.• Worked on both scientific and industrial projects of extrusion processing for a diverse range of products such as pasta, breakfast cereals, snack foods, pet-food, poultry feed, aquatic feed, and packaging material.• Trained on the benchtop, pilot-scale, and industrial-scale single and twin-screw extruders. -
Senior Executive ManufacturingPerfetti Van Melle Sep 2010 - Jul 2015Schiphol Oost, Amsterdam, Nl• Handled manufacturing operations and process activities of sugar-based confectionery and chewing gums.• Worked on a new process line set up for several new products such as hard-boiled candies, chewing gums,coated chewing gums, cotton candies, fruit pulp-based jellies, etc.• Sensory quality control and shelf-life testing of confectionery products.• Worked extensively on yield improvement and wastage reduction projects.• Managed twin-screw extrusion processing of grain-based snacks. -
Executive Research Quality And InnovationConagra Brands Feb 2010 - Sep 2010Chicago, Illinois, Us• Quality testing of deep-fried corn tortilla chips, edible refined oils, raw and packaging materials.• Implemented a quality management system in the contract manufacturing unit.• Marketplace insights of own and competitors’ products.
Rajesh Kumar, Phd Education Details
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Kansas State UniversitySensory Analysis And Consumer Behavior -
Kansas State UniversityApplied Statistics
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Kansas State UniversityGrain Science
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University Of RajasthanFood Technology
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Kendriya VidyalayaMaths And Science
Frequently Asked Questions about Rajesh Kumar, Phd
What company does Rajesh Kumar, Phd work for?
Rajesh Kumar, Phd works for Nestlé
What is Rajesh Kumar, Phd's role at the current company?
Rajesh Kumar, Phd's current role is Consumer Sensory Insights Specialist.
What schools did Rajesh Kumar, Phd attend?
Rajesh Kumar, Phd attended Kansas State University, Kansas State University, Kansas State University, University Of Rajasthan, Kendriya Vidyalaya.
Who are Rajesh Kumar, Phd's colleagues?
Rajesh Kumar, Phd's colleagues are Kelly Holmes, Prabhuling Pujari, Fernando Abreu, Stanley Uzochukwu, Frank Yuan, محسن محمد الحسني, Bel-Rhlid Rachid.
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