Sensory Specialist

Unilever; Wirral; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Unilever, a global FMCG leader, seeks an interim Sensory Specialist to join the Port Sunlight, Wirral R&D facility for a 6-month period. This full-time role (37.5 hours/week) offers a pro rata salary of £34,000–£45,000, depending on experience.

You will develop sensory capacity, manage panel studies, and translate findings into actionable product insights. Fragrance experience is not essential; candidates from broader sensory or consumer research backgrounds are welcome.

Qualifications

• Masters or equivalent in Sensory Science or related field.
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Responsibilities

• Develop and apply sensory approaches to understand product experiences.

Skills

Sensory science

Panel management

Data interpretation

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

Master's in Sensory Science or related

Bachelor's in a relevant subject

Job description

Manpower are currently seeking an interim Sensory Specialist to work with our global FMCG client Unilever, renowned for brands such as Dove, Sure, Persil, and Simple, and become an integral part of their fast-paced FMCG environment.

The position is based at our client’s scientific Research & Development facility in Port Sunlight Village, Wirral easily accessible by train and car. This is a full-time temporary role to run for 6 months with possibility of extension, requiring 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying from £34,000 to £45,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience.

As a Sensory Specialist within the fragrance category, you’ll support the development and delivery of our sensory evaluation capability. You’ll manage sensory studies, coordinate human panel testing and help teams understand what sensory results mean for products and consumers.

Although fragrance is an important part of the work, previous fragrance or perfumery experience is not essential. We’re open to candidates from broader sensory, panel, consumer research, product-testing and relevant scientific or academic backgrounds.

What you’ll be doing

Develop our sensory capability

• You’ll develop and apply sensory approaches that help teams understand how products and fragrances are experienced, perceived and preferred.
• You’ll contribute to the ongoing development of our sensory capability by supporting high-performing panels and identifying and introducing relevant methodologies and techniques.

Manage sensory panel studies

You’ll manage sensory panel studies from end to end, including:

• Panel training and ongoing performance management.
• Planning and coordinating studies and testing schedules.
• Managing tasks, participants and study logistics.
• Quality-checking data and ensuring agreed processes are followed.
• Analysing results and producing clear reports.
• Working with internal teams and external research partners where required.

You’ll translate sensory data into meaningful insights that support product development and improve consumer experiences. You’ll establish and maintain best practices for sensory research, champion data quality and help colleagues develop their sensory knowledge and expertise.

You’ll work alongside sensory scientists, panellists, consumer researchers, product developers, perfumers, evaluators and other internal and external partners. As a trusted sensory partner, you’ll help teams move beyond simply measuring product performance to develop a deeper understanding of how products are perceived and experienced.

Maintain standards and develop new approaches

You’ll keep up to date with emerging methodologies, technologies and techniques across sensory and consumer research. You’ll support the implementation of new approaches and help develop future sensory capability where appropriate.

You’ll oversee data governance within your area of testing, ensuring that research is managed ethically and that all personal and sensitive consumer data is protected.

You’ll also contribute to the data and digital transformation of human panel testing, working with partners to identify and implement improvements to processes, data quality and efficiency.

What we’re looking for

We’re open to candidates from a range of sensory, scientific, research and academic backgrounds. You could have:

• Professional experience in sensory science, sensory evaluation, panel management, consumer research, product testing or human panel studies.
• Experience as a trained sensory panellist, with the potential to develop into a broader panel management or study coordination role.
• A master’s degree in Sensory Science, Food Science, Consumer Science, Psychology, Neuroscience, Chemistry, Biological Sciences or another relevant scientific or research-based subject.
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, ideally combined with an industrial placement, year in industry or practical research experience.
• An understanding of research methods, study design, data quality and the interpretation of sensory or consumer data.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate studies and work effectively with internal teams and external partners.

Previous experience in fragrance, perfumery or olfactive research would be beneficial, but it is not essential.