Sensory & Consumer Scientist

McCormick & Company; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

McCormick & Company in the United Kingdom seeks a Sensory & Consumer Scientist to lead sensory and consumer research for the EMEA Wet Flavour Solutions portfolio, translating robust insights into actionable recommendations that support development, optimisation and quality improvement.

You will partner with R&D, Commercial, Marketing and Quality teams, design end-to-end studies, and present results to stakeholders while driving continuous improvement across multinational projects.

Qualifications

• Degree in Sensory & Consumer Science, Food Science or related discipline.
• Experience in sensory and consumer science within FMCG or B2B.
• Ability to independently design and manage end-to-end research programmes.
• Strong statistical analysis capability with interpretation of complex datasets.
• Confident presenter communicating findings to cross-functional and customer stakeholders.
• Strong planning and organisational skills managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Effective influencer and collaborative team player across multicultural environments.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and sensory software (e.g. Compusense).

Responsibilities

• Design, execute and interpret fit-for-purpose sensory and consumer research to support product development, renovation, cost optimisation, quality improvement and de-risking initiatives.
• Present clear findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams for informed product and commercial decisions.
• Advise R&D, Commercial and Marketing stakeholders on suitable research methodologies.
• Support customer presentations, technical discussions, proposals and research plans, delivering sensory training to build capability.
• Apply qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including focus groups, central location tests and surveys, following best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement in research approaches and data governance for the Wet portfolio.

Skills

Sensory research design

Statistical analysis

Presentation to stakeholders

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Multicultural collaboration

Microsoft Office

Compusense or equivalent

Education

Degree in Sensory & Consumer Science

Food Science or related discipline

Tools

Compusense

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Sensory & Consumer Scientist leads sensory and consumer research for the EMEA Wet Flavour Solutions portfolio, supporting condiment innovation, optimisation, quality improvement and customer projects from concept through launch. Partnering with R&D, Commercial, Marketing and Quality teams, the role translates robust scientific insights into clear, actionable recommendations that enable confident business decisions.

Main responsibilities

Business Partnering:

• Design, execute and interpret fit-for-purpose sensory and consumer research to support product development, renovation, cost optimisation, quality improvement and de-risking initiatives.
• Present clear findings and recommendations that help cross-functional teams make informed product and commercial decisions.

Customer and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Advise R&D, Commercial and Marketing stakeholders, and where appropriate customers, on suitable research methodologies.
• Support customer presentations, technical discussions, proposals and research plans, while delivering sensory and consumer science training to build understanding and capability.

Sensory and Consumer Science Excellence:

• Apply qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including focus groups, central location tests and surveys, in line with recognised standards and best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement in research approaches, contribute to the EMEA and Global Sensory & Consumer Science community, and support data governance and stewardship for the Wet portfolio.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Degree in Sensory & Consumer Science, Food Science and related discipline.
• Relevant experience in sensory and consumer science within FMCG (food preferrably) or B2B.
• Proven ability to independently design and manage end-to‑end research programmes.
• Strong statistical analysis capability with experience interpreting complex datasets.
• Confident presenter, able to communicate technical findings to cross-functional and customer stakeholders.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Effective influencer and collaborative team player, comfortable working across multicultural environments.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and sensory/consumer software (e.g. Compusense or equivalent)

McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.