Associate Sensory Science Manager
Worksop/Hybrid (On site approx. 4-5 days a week, occasional WFH opportunities)
Permanent
A leading food business - We operate primarily in the ambient food sector, which is one of the largest sectors within the total UK grocery market. We feature in key grocery categories of: Flavourings & Seasonings; Quick Meals, Snacks & Soups; Ambient Desserts and Cooking Sauces & Accompaniments. Within Sweet Treats we operate in the Ambient Cakes category. In addition, we have a non-branded food business which manufactures products such as cakes and desserts on behalf of many UK food retailers.
Food for all occasions - Our brands are leaders in their categories with high household penetration and bought by 90% of UK households. We also have a growing international business, with many of our brands enjoyed by consumers across the world.
Expanding our global presence - We are driving growth in our international business through the deployment of our branded growth model. Our largest international businesses are in Australia, North America and Ireland, with our focus on Mr Kipling, Sharwood's cooking sauces and The Spice Tailor.
Purpose:
As the Associate Sensory Science Manager, you will be driving Sensory Excellence, managing and supporting a dedicated team of Sensory Panellists and a Sensory Panel Leader at our site in Worksop, UK.
You will work closely with key stakeholders and cross-functional teams to ensure sensory work aligns with project requirements. Your role is crucial in maintaining strong relationships and ensuring that sensory data drives confident decision-making across our entire portfolio of Brands including Sharwoods, Mr Kipling, Batchelors, Oxo, Ambrosia, The Spice Tailor and FUEL10K.
You will be working as part of the Sensory and Product Analytics team to deliver Sensory and Consumer Research together with data analytics. Your efforts will support the team's core vision of enhancing Premier Foods product quality through research and data insights, ensuring maximum consumer satisfaction and loyalty, and achieving top market performance for our products.
What you'll be doing:
Lead Sensory Panel Activities: Serve as the primary contact for all sensory panel activities, ensuring alignment with project goals and business needs. Independently and flexibly lead multiple projects across various products, delivering research for innovation, quality improvement, quality monitoring, and cost recovery. Involvement in all project stages, from obtaining background information to statistical analysis and report creation.
Implement Research Methods: Apply appropriate sensory research methods, including Descriptive Analysis, consensus profiling, and Discrimination testing.
Analyse and Report: Confidently use sensory methodologies, data analysis, and reporting tools to generate actionable insights.
Ensure Data Quality: Drive research quality by adhering to Sensory Best Practices and Industry Standards, training and managing sensory panellists to deliver consistent and high-quality data.
Collaborate with Teams: Work closely with NPD, Marketing, and R&D teams to plan and deliver product research using trained sensory panellists, employing methodologies such as QDA and Triangle Tests. Effectively interact with diverse groups, demonstrating strong organisational and communication skills.
Champion Sensory Science: Advocate for the importance of sensory science within the organisation, ensuring its value is recognised in project discussions.
Train and Develop: Build and maintain descriptive capabilities through panel training, calibration, and ongoing development.Provide day-to-day support and training to Sensory panel Leader and Trained Sensory Panellists, fostering their growth and development. Lead business wide training to increase knowledge in Sensory Science and best practices for assessing products.
Promote Continuous Improvement: Support the growth of Sensory and Consumer Research capabilities within the business, driving continuous improvement initiatives. Assess and implement new sensory and consumer research methods to enhance capabilities, efficiencies, and performance.
Manage Resources: Efficiently manage panel time and prioritise internal sensory projects.
Panel Management: Ability to recruit, train, and manage a sensory panel, ensuring consistency and reliability in evaluations
What we need from you:
A passion for food, with a deep understanding of sensory science principles and methods, including descriptive profiling and quantitative analysis
At least 3 years in sensory science with strong hands-on experience in panel management, training, and performance monitoring. You will be confident in sensory methodologies, data analysis, and reporting. Experience with statistical tools and sensory software is essential.
Essential - must be knowledgeable in principles of Sensory Science & Sensory Evaluation Methodologies
Essential - completion of Professional Sensory Course
Essential - experience of using XLstat and RedJade or similar sensory software
Essential - Previous supervisory skills along with willingness / capability for training / coaching
Essential - Full UK Driving License
Essential - Highly competent user of Excel and Powerpoint
Essential - Highly numerate, with visualisation skills and an ability to bring together data and information from multiple sources to tell a story and translate what it means for the audience's perspective, and form recommendations
Essential - Strong communication skills, both written and verbal to convey sensory insights clearly to stakeholders
Essential - Strong organisational skills and ability to juggle multiple priorities and to keep sight of deadlines
Essential - Problem Solver and enthusiastic to learn
Essential -Ability to multi-task and prioritise with limited supervision
Essential - Keen attention to detail to ensure precise and accurate sensory assessments
Desirable - BSc/Masters in Food Science/Technology/Marketing or related degree
What we offer you in return...?
Competitive salary
Bonus
Up to 7.5% pension
Life assurance
Wide range of online and in-house training
Access to an employee discount scheme, with access to hundreds of nationwide retailers
Ready to apply...?
Click apply, submitting an up-to-date CV tailored to this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you.
A great British food company
Premier Foods is one of Britain's biggest listed food companies, employing over4,000 colleagues at 13 manufacturingsites and offices up and down the country.
Many of our brands have been part of UK lifefor more than a century and you'll find them in 90% of British households.
At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticityandindividuality.We aim to ensure all existingand futurecolleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to workno matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in.Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.
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