Sensory Scientist II

The British American Tobacco Group; Southampton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading multinational tobacco company has an exciting opportunity for a Sensory Scientist II in Southampton. You will oversee sensory capabilities and manage sensory activities essential for product development. Ideal candidates should possess deep knowledge of sensory science, data analysis software skills, and experience in sensory testing. The role offers a market-leading bonus and comprehensive benefits, fostering professional growth within a transformative work environment.

Benefits

Market leading annual performance bonus

Diverse health plans

Flexible holiday plan

Access to online learning platforms

Qualifications

• Experience in conveying sensory results in a customer‑focused manner.
• Knowledge of panel recruitment, training, validation, and improvement plans.
• Understanding sensory methodologies and data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Sensory capability across new categories and FMC.
• Manage sensory activities for Product Development and Innovations Projects.
• Ensure quality of sensory response data and its interpretation.

Skills

Knowledge of a sensory data collection system (Compusense, Fizz or similar)

Deep knowledge of sensory science

Proficiency in sensory data analysis software (XLSTAT, R)

Understanding the stats behind tests

Experience in sensory testing for claim substantiation

Ability to communicate technical data

Education

Professional/academic achievement in Sensory or Consumer Science

Tools

ANOVA

Correlation tests

Job description

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World.
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for a Sensory Scientist II in Southampton

What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?

The primary responsibility of this role is to oversee the Sensory capability across new categories and FMC.

Uphold Panel Maintenance activities related to sensorial panels, ensuring they are operating at a high level and fully adhering to all internal processes required.

The role involves managing, planning, and directing sensory activities required for the execution of Product Development and/or Innovations Projects.

This role is responsible to ensure the quality of sensory response data and its interpretation in the context of project objectives.

Ensure that sensory standard methodologies are implemented, maintained, and globally aligned.

Offer advice and consultation to the technical community for setting up and integrating effective operational procedures.

Provide mentorship to team members by combining and analyzing sensory data and thoroughly comprehending project goals while closely working with Project Teams.

Encourage organizational change and understanding of sensory within the sphere of influence.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Maintain a high level of expertise in all aspects of sensory evaluation and Panel Maintenance across categories.
• Responsible for the quality of the Sensory results, methodologies, and the implementation of Sensory “Best Practice” across panels and sensory outcomes.
• Acts as the principal contact for sensory panels and category leads providing mentorship and consultancy to the technical community to establish and embed robust ways of working.
• Issue recommendations to collaborators based on aggregation and interpretation of sensory data and in-depth understanding of project objectives through close collaboration with Project Teams.
• Ultimately responsible for the leadership and management of day-to‑day Sensory activities and management of Sensory, whilst ensuring best practise implementation, alongside agreed priorities, and aligned to the S&PCI Strategy.
• Proactively seek ways to improve all aspects of sensory work, including functional methodologies, practical solutions, digital and facilities and present these ideas in an appropriate way to the Sensory leadership Team.
• Applies project management and digital data ways of working, across actionable sensory insights for new categories and FMC.
• Develop and implement short‑, medium‑ and long‑term strategic plans and collaboration to achieve a clear goal with key collaborators.

What are we looking for?

• Knowledge of a sensory data collection system (Compusense, Fizz or similar)
• Deep knowledge of sensory science and various approaches for descriptive (DQA, Spectrum), discriminative testing (DUO‑Trio, Triangle, Tetrad), temporal (TDS, DTI), Ranking and CATA for product characterization.
• Understanding the stats behind these tests, their application, and limitations
• Proficiency in sensory data analysis software (XLSTAT, R)
• ANOVA
• Significance test (Tukey, Fisher)
• Correlation testsPCA (Principal Component Analysis)
• MFA (Multi Factor Analysis)
• Experience in sensory testing for claim substantiation and regulatory purposes.
• Knowledge of methods for sensory tests
• Experience in conveying sensory results in a customer‑focused manner.
• Deep knowledge on panel recruitment, training, panel validation, monitoring, and improvement plans
• Professional/academic achievement in Sensory or Consumer Science or a scientific background with relevant experience in a product related position or relevant experience within the food/flavour industry.

Beneficial

• Consumer understanding and Sensory networks
• Experience in Digital and Data Science (Multivariate analysis, Programming in R Statistics).
• Project Management Experience.

Qualifying questions for applicants

• Are you familiar with creating and maintaining sensory panels?
• Do you understand sensory methodologies?
• Can you interpret panel data and draw conclusions for product optimization?
• Are you able to communicate sophisticated technical data to senior audiences and to non‑technical communities?

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives.
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills.
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.

WHY JOIN BAT?

We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.

We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture.

Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience.

We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.