Job Description

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 over 4,000 colleagues at 13 manufacturing sites and offices up and down the country.
Many of our brands have been part of UK life for more than a century and you'll find them in 90% of British households.
At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.

Premier Foods