Sensory Specialist - Fragrance

JAM Recruitment Ltd; Wirral; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Manpower UK seeks an interim Sensory Specialist - Fragrance for its global FMCG client, Unilever, at the R&D facility in Port Sunlight Village, Wirral. This full-time, temporary contract runs for six months with possible extension, requiring 37.5 hours weekly, Monday to Friday.

You will support fragrance category development, manage sensory evaluation protocols, coordinate panellist testing, and interpret results to guide product design, working with internal teams and external partners.

Qualifications

• Robust expertise in sensory science.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills.
• Experience managing multiple sensory studies in a scientific setting.

Responsibilities

• Develop sensory capability and approaches for fragrance products.
• Manage sensory panel studies end-to-end, including training and scheduling.
• Coordinate participants and study logistics; ensure data quality.
• Analyse results and produce clear reports to guide product design.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners; maintain governance.

Skills

Sensory science

Panel management

Data interpretation

Scientific communication

Study coordination

Job description

Manpower UK seeks an interim Sensory Specialist - Fragrance for its global FMCG client, Unilever, at the Research and Development facility in Port Sunlight Village, Wirral. This full-time, temporary contract runs for six months with possible extension, requiring 37.5 hours weekly, Monday to Friday. Salary ranges from £34,000 to £45,000 per annum, pro rata, based on experience. Supporting fragrance category development, you will manage sensory evaluation protocols, coordinate panellist testing, and interpret results to guide product design. Candidates need robust expertise in sensory science, meticulous attention to detail, and effective communication skills. The role suits professionals adept at managing multiple studies within a scientific setting. 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 andamp; 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.

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.

Turn data into insight

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.

Work collaboratively

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,