Senior Sensory Scientist - Innovation & Insights

Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Private medical insurance

Enhanced pension

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Life assurance

Job summary

Protea Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Senior Sensory Technologist to join the Innovation team in Buckinghamshire. You will lead sensory and consumer studies from concept to launch, translating insights into decisions that drive product development across a diverse portfolio.

You will collaborate with Product Development, Marketing and Technical teams, applying quantitative and qualitative methods, and using tools like RedJade/XLSTAT/R to deliver impactful recommendations.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Sensory Science or related discipline.
• Significant experience in sensory science or consumer insights within food/FMCG.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative sensory methodologies knowledge.
• Experience with RedJade, XLSTAT or R for data analysis.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to communicate complex data clearly and engage stakeholders.
• Experience working in cross-functional innovation or product development teams.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead sensory and consumer research programmes across innovation and product optimisation.
• Design and execute sensory studies using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Manage studies from design through analysis and presentation of results.
• Translate data into actionable, commercially relevant recommendations.
• Present insights to technical, commercial and senior stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Marketing, and Technical teams to embed learning.
• Identify trends to support future innovation strategies.
• Champion best practice in sensory science and evaluate new methodologies.

Skills

Sensory science

Data interpretation

Statistical analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Presentation skills

Education

Degree in Food Science or Sensory Science

Tools

RedJade

XLSTAT

R

Job description

Protea Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Senior Sensory Technologist to join the Innovation team in Buckinghamshire. You will lead sensory and consumer studies from concept to launch, translating insights into decisions that drive product development across a diverse portfolio.

You will collaborate with Product Development, Marketing and Technical teams, applying quantitative and qualitative methods, and using tools like RedJade/XLSTAT/R to deliver impactful recommendations.