Sensory Manager

Morepeople 01780; Leicester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Morepeople is partnering with a market-leading food manufacturer to recruit an experienced Sensory Manager to lead the sensory capability within the Technical, R&D and Quality function.

You will own a team of sensory specialists, drive NPD and reformulation projects with robust sensory testing and consumer insights, and translate complex data into commercial decisions to shape product quality and innovation.

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG food manufacturing and sensory science.
• Experience leading sensory programmes and trained panels.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret sensory data.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing sensory team.
• Support NPD and R&D through sensory testing and consumer insight.
• Provide technical recommendations to improve product quality and consistency.
• Transform sensory data into commercial decisions through statistics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on innovation and continuous improvement.
• Drive new sensory methodologies and embed best practice.

Skills

Sensory science

Leadership

Statistical analysis

Stakeholder management

FMCG experience

Team development

Education

Food Science 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.

You'll be responsible for:

• 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.

You'll ideally have:

• 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.

If you're looking for a role where your technical expertise can make a tangible commercial impact, we'd love to hear from you.