Sensory Manager

MorePeople; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

MorePeople is helping a market-leading food manufacturer recruit an experienced Sensory Manager to lead a high-performing Technical & Research & Development function. The role focuses on shaping product development through robust sensory testing, consumer insights, and rigorous data interpretation, partnering across Technical, R&D, Marketing, Operations and Commercial teams.

You will own the sensory capability, drive best practices, support NPD/innovation, and translate complex sensory data into

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG food manufacturing.
• Background in Sensory Science or Food Science.
• Experience leading sensory programmes or trained panels.
• Strong analytical skills interpreting sensory and statistical data.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and communicate findings clearly.
• Previous people management or leadership experience.
• A scientific degree in Food Science or similar would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing a high-performing sensory team.
• Supporting NPD and R&D projects through robust sensory testing and consumer insight.
• Providing technical recommendations to improve product quality, consistency and performance.
• Using statistical analysis to transform complex sensory data into commercial decisions.
• Partnering with Technical, Operations, Commercial and Marketing teams on innovation, reformulation and continuous improvement.
• Driving new sensory methodologies and embedding best practice across the business.

Skills

Lead sensory programmes

People management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical data interpretation

Sensory science background

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Education

Food Science or similar degree

Job description

We're working exclusively with a market-leading food manufacturer to recruit an experienced Sensory Manager to join a high-performing Technical & Research & Development function.

This is a rare opportunity to influence the development of some of the UK's best-loved food products, using sensory science to shape innovation, optimise quality and support strategic business decisions. You'll work at the heart of cross-functional teams, partnering with Technical, R&D, Marketing, Operations and Commercial colleagues to ensure products consistently exceed consumer expectations.

If you're passionate about food, thrive on turning data into insight and enjoy leading people, this could be the perfect next step.

The Opportunity

You'll take ownership of the company's sensory capability, leading a team of specialists while driving best practice across product development, quality improvement and innovation.

• Leading and developing a high-performing sensory team.
• Supporting NPD and R&D projects through robust sensory testing and consumer insight.
• Providing technical recommendations to improve product quality, consistency and performance.
• Using statistical analysis to transform complex sensory data into commercial decisions.
• Partnering with Technical, Operations, Commercial and Marketing teams on innovation, reformulation and continuous improvement.
• Driving new sensory methodologies and embedding best practice across the business.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strong technical knowledge with commercial awareness and excellent stakeholder management.

• Experience within an FMCG food manufacturing environment.
• A background in Sensory Science, Food Science, Technical or R&D.
• Experience leading sensory programmes, trained panels or product evaluation activities.
• Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting sensory and statistical data.
• The ability to influence cross-functional teams and communicate technical findings clearly.
• Previous people management or leadership experience.
• A scientific degree (Food Science or similar) would be advantageous.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a highly respected food manufacturer where Technical excellence and innovation are genuinely valued. You'll have the autonomy to shape sensory capability, influence product strategy and play a key role in delivering future innovation across an established product portfolio.