Global Head of Sensory and Technical Insights

Pernod Ricard España SA; Paris; Hybride; EUR 120 000 - 180 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Remote-friendly (up to 2 days/week)

Profit-sharing

Mutual insurance

Training opportunities

Employee events

Résumé du poste

Pernod Ricard España SA, based at The Island in central Paris, seeks a Global Head of Sensory and Technical Insights to lead sensory science, technical product understanding and consumer insights across our spirits portfolio.

You will build capabilities, lead expert teams and panels, and drive data-driven decisions from concept to launch, fostering scientific excellence and strategic impact across brands and markets.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in sensory science, product research, consumer science, technical insights, R&D or product development – ideally within spirits, alcoholic beverages, food, flavour or FMCG
• Proven experience building and leading global scientific capabilities or centres of excellence
• A track record of influencing senior leadership and shaping strategic business decisions

Responsabilités

• Define and own the global sensory and technical insights strategy, driving capability development, scientific excellence and business impact across innovation, renovation and quality
• Lead the development of sensory data models, product landscapes and insight platforms across categories
• Build and lead a global sensory and technical insights community of practice, aligning methodologies, capability development and knowledge sharing across sites, brands and business units
• Collaborate with R&D, brand, marketing, consumer insights and quality teams to support new product development and reformulation projects
• Represent sensory and technical insights in executive reviews and innovation governance forums

Connaissances

Sensory science

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Scientific writing

Data analysis

Formation

MSc or PhD in Sensory Science, Chemistry, Flavour Science, Consumer Science

Outils

Sensory software

Data visualization tools

Description du poste

Want to join a fast-moving company, work among convivial teams, and take part in the global growth strategy of one of the most prestigious and comprehensive portfolios in the wine & spirits industry? We are looking for a Global Head of Sensory and Technical Insights! You will be based at The Island, our office in central Paris.Your key missions:Reporting to the Global Research, Sensory and Analytical Sciences Director, you will lead the development and application of sensory science, technical product understanding and consumer-relevant insights to support innovation, product quality, reformulations and strategic decision-making across our spirits portfolio. As the bridge between consumer understanding, sensory perception, analytical data, product development, quality and brand strategy, you will make sure product decisions are grounded in robust science and translated into meaningful business outcomes – building the capabilities, best practices, expert teams and panels that unlock growth.Sensory strategy & leadershipDefine and own the global sensory and technical insights strategy, driving capability development, scientific excellence and business impact across innovation, renovation and qualityShape portfolio decisions by identifying sensory whitespace opportunities, product superiority drivers and emerging consumer preferencesMonitor emerging scientific developments and translate them into competitive advantageDrive the development of novel sensory methodologies, predictive approaches and insight-generation techniquesBuild external scientific networks with universities, research institutes and industry bodiesEstablish sensory science as a core capability supporting product innovation, quality improvement and competitive benchmarkingEnsure sensory methodologies are fit-for-purpose, scientifically robust and relevant to business decision-makingBuild a clear vision for how sensory and technical insights contribute to consumer preference, product superiority, premiumisation and brand differentiationContribute to long-term product and technology roadmaps across categoriesProduct & technical insightsLead the generation of technical product insights across spirits categories – whisky, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, liqueurs, aperitifs and low/no alcohol productsTranslate sensory and analytical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for R&D, marketing, quality, operations and brand teamsSupport the identification of key product drivers, sensory attributes, flavour profiles and technical levers influencing consumer perception and product performanceConnect sensory data with analytical chemistry, processing, maturation, packaging and consumer research to build a holistic understanding of product experienceProvide sensory and technical guidance throughout the innovation process, from early concept screening to final product validationEnsure product changes are assessed with appropriate sensory and technical risk evaluationHelp protect brand consistency and consumer trust by ensuring sensory-critical attributes are understood, monitored and controlledSensory dataDrive the adoption of a digital sensory platform, advanced analytics, AI-enabled insight generation and predictive modelling approachesEnsure data quality, governance, accessibility and knowledge management across sensory activities globallyDrive the integration of sensory, analytical, consumer, quality and product data to generate deeper technical understandingDefine and oversee the development of sensory data models, product landscapes and insight platformsChampion the use of digital tools, sensory software, databases and data visualisation to improve knowledge management and decision-makingTranslate complex scientific and sensory information into clear narratives for technical and non-technical stakeholdersCapability buildingBuild and lead a global sensory and technical insights community of practice, aligning methodologies, capability development and knowledge sharing across sites, brands and business unitsLead the development, training, calibration and performance management of sensory panels, including expert, descriptive, discrimination and quality panelsDefine standards for sensory panel governance, panel reliability, data quality and continuous improvementEnsure consistent application of sensory methodologies across sites, markets and categoriesBuild internal capability through training, coaching, tools and best-practice sharingCollaborationPartner with R&D, brand, marketing, consumer insights and quality teams to support new product development and reformulation projectsAct as the company’s leading expert in sensory and technical insights, influencing strategic decisions at senior leadership levelRepresent sensory and technical insights in executive reviews, innovation governance forums and strategic portfolio discussionsDefine and govern global sensory standards for product quality and brand consistencyProvide sensory expertise for quality investigations, product changes, supplier transitions, process modifications and market complaintsWork closely with blenders and liquid R&D teamsRepresent the company at industry forums, scientific conferences and external collaborationsTeam leadership & developmentLead, develop and inspire a team of sensory scientists, technical insight specialists, panel leaders and product researchersSet clear priorities, objectives and performance expectations aligned with business needsDevelop and manage the sensory and technical insights budget, prioritising resources, external partnerships, technologies and capability investmentsBuild a culture of scientific excellence, curiosity, collaboration, impact and continuous improvementCoach team members to strengthen their technical expertise, influencing skills and business-partnering capabilitiesIf you recognize yourself in the description below, don’t wait to apply!You have:an MSc or PhD in Sensory Science, Chemistry, Flavour Science, Consumer Science or a related scientific discipline (training in sensory statistics, consumer research, flavour chemistry, data science or spirits production is a plus)Significant experience in sensory science, product research, consumer science, technical insights, R&D or product development – ideally within spirits, alcoholic beverages, food, flavour or FMCGProven experience building and leading global scientific capabilities or centres of excellencea track record of influencing senior leadership and shaping strategic business decisionsexperience leading organisational change, capability transformation or digital initiativesa strong external network within sensory science, flavour science, consumer science or related disciplinesa strong command of sensory methodologies, including descriptive analysis, discrimination testing, preference mapping, quality sensory testing and product benchmarkingexperience working with technical product data, analytical results, consumer insights and product development processesexperience leading cross-functional projects and influencing senior stakeholdersprevious people management or team leadership experiencefamiliarity with sensory software and data visualisation toolsYou are:able to translate scientific understanding into commercial and brand valuea confident scientific writer, storyteller and presenter, at ease turning complex data into clear narratives for technical and non-technical audiencescurious, collaborative and impact-driven, with a passion for scientific excellence and continuous improvementNice to have:hands-on experience with spirits, flavour chemistry, maturation, distillation, blending, low/no alcohol or liquid development (highly advantageous)experience writing scientific papers, posters and presentationsexperience with predictive modelling and advanced statisticsWait, there’s more…We offer you an outstanding and collaborative workplace that embodies our sharing & conviviality culture, the possibility to work remotely (up to 2 days a week), a very complete mutual insurance, an attractive compensation including profit-sharing, the possibility to train daily, employee events…Pernod Ricard is committed to offering equal opportunities to all talents. Our recruitment methods focus on skills and competencies.Job Posting End Date:Target Hire Date:2026-11-02Target End Date: