Associate Research Director

SAM Sensory and Consumer Research; Reading; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SAM Sensory and Consumer Research in Reading is seeking an Associate Research Director to lead 3-4 FMCG accounts and grow client partnerships. You will oversee multi-project delivery, mentor 2-3 Research Managers, and shape strategies with quantitative research and essential qualitative input.

Reporting to a Research Director, you will drive revenue targets, develop proactive risk plans, and deliver high‑quality studies across regions, ensuring alignment with client priorities and market trends.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in consumer research and/or sensory research.
• Experience in FMCG product testing using HUTs, CLTs, IDIs.
• Significant experience in quantitative consumer research methodologies.
• Foundational understanding of qualitative research.
• Experience in a Research Manager role.
• Excellent written and oral English.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong leadership to manage teams and oversee large-scale research initiatives.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Rigorous, responsive and proactive.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for 3-4 FMCG product testing Accounts: client retention, client delight and account growth
• Ensure revenue targets for assigned accounts are achieved
• Develop proactive plans to address risks and capitalise on opportunities within accounts
• Oversee timely, accurate, and high‑quality project delivery for Account team
• Lead the development and delivery of complex proposals and tenders
• Bring technical expertise and ensure the use of best‑practice methodologies
• Deliver complex regional and global projects: play active role in project management, reporting and holistic delivery of projects
• Provide strategic, story‑led recommendations based on client feedback, market trends, and project performance
• Ensure project execution aligns with client objectives and broader business priorities
• Line manage 2-3 Research Managers; workload allocation and resource planning; coaching and training

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Project management

Client relationship management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Tools

MS Office Word

MS Office Excel

MS Office PowerPoint

Job description

• Are you a strategic thinker with strong commercial instincts?
• Passionate about leading teams and driving client success?
• Ready to shape high‑impact research across multiple categories?
• Do you want to develop your career in an international company with a multicultural environment working with the biggest local and global organizations in FMCG?

Location: Reading

If so, SAM has the right opportunity for you!

We are the leading international sensory and consumer research company specializing in food, beverages, cosmetics, personal care, and other consumer products. We have 19 proprietary state‑of‑the‑art facilities across France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, United Kingdom, Morocco, China and the USA, and cover more than 65 countries through our network of approved partners.

SAM provides tailor‑made solutions, delivering actionable guidelines to make our clients’ brands and products memorable.

SAM is a great place to work.

Join SAM to work with the most competent, creative, and fun team in the industry and let your work, opinions and ideas contribute to the future of sensory and consumer research.

Become your most extraordinary self with support and development throughout your career.

Best in class

Join our very diverse team of sensory scientists, food technologists, statisticians, psychologists, sociologists, strategic thinkers, marketeers, field managers, technicians and other sensory and research experienced colleagues.

We’re proud to be part of the Eurofins Group

World‑leader in Testing for Life. With about 61 000 employees, Eurofins is a global leader in testing services and over the last 20 years has been one of the fastest growing companies in the world, thanks to its innovation in technology and service.

Your Responsibilities

Reporting to a Research Director, an Associate Research Director oversees various accounts and multiple projects and brings technical expertise to the research team, while developing a team of Research Managers.

• Responsible for 3-4 FMCG product testing Accounts: client retention, client delight and account growth
• Ensure revenue targets for assigned accounts are achieved
• Develop proactive plans to address risks and capitalise on opportunities within accounts
• Oversee timely, accurate, and high‑quality project delivery for Account team
• Lead the development and delivery of complex proposals and tenders
• Bring technical expertise and ensure the use of best‑practice methodologies
• Deliver complex regional and global projects: play active role in project management, reporting and holistic delivery of projects
• Provide strategic, story‑led recommendations based on client feedback, market trends, and project performance
• Ensure project execution aligns with client objectives and broader business priorities
• Line manage 2-3 Research Managers
• Manage workload allocation and resource planning for the team
• Ensure Research Managers receive appropriate coaching and training
• Mentor team members in research skills, leadership, and career development
• Ensure outputs from team members meet the expected standards of quality and insight

Your Profile

• Minimum 3 years in consumer research and/or sensory research
• FMCG product testing experience: practical experience of core product testing methodologies: i.e. HUTs, CLTs, IDIs
• Significant experience in quantitative consumer research methodologies
• Minimum foundational understanding of qual research: when to recommend qual/bring in qual experts from within SAM
• Significant experience in a Research manager role
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Proficiency in MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc
• Strong leadership abilities to manage teams and oversee large‑scale research initiatives
• Excellent organisational and problem‑solving skills
• Rigorous, responsive and proactive