Strategic CTI Leader EU

Mars Wrigley Confectionery UK (SLO, WAL, ISB & PAD); Windsor; On-site; GBP 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading snacks company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Strategic CTI Leader to join their Consumer Technical Insights team. This role involves transforming consumer insights into innovative product experiences. The ideal candidate will have expertise in sensory science, strong communication skills, and experience in the FMCG industry. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package with opportunities for growth and development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Industry-competitive benefits package

Learning and development support

Qualifications

• Proven background in the FMCG industry with strong sensory science and consumer research experience.
• Solid scientific expertise and ability to translate findings into clear recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze sensory and consumer research to deliver actionable insights.
• Partner with product developers to ensure a consistent high quality experience.
• Anticipate consumer trends and cultural shifts to inspire innovation.

Skills

Sensory science

Consumer Insights

Data analysis

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Psychology, Statistics

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Overview

Strategic CTI (Consumer Technical Insights) Leader EU — Location: Slough/ Paddington, United Kingdom. Salary: £62,500 - £76,000, annual bonus, car allowance, benefits.

Shape the Future of Snacks & Treats – Join Us as a Lead Sensory Innovation Scientist

We’re seeking a Strategic CTI Leader to join our Consumer Technical Insights team and help transform consumer insights into unforgettable product experiences. You’ll sit at the intersection of R&D, Marketing, and Innovation, ensuring that every product—whether gum, fruity treats, chocolates, or iconic brands like Bounty, Milky Way, Maltesers, and our regional specialties—delivers a consistent high-quality experience to consumers across EMEA.

The Strategic CTI Leader is a trusted partner to cross-functional partners, ensuring products are created and manufactured consistently, while embracing new ideas and market-driven innovations. With deep expertise in Sensory science, Consumer Insights and the FMCG/snacks industry, you will guide the translation of data into insights that lead to meaningful, consumer-centric solutions that shape the future of our categories.

What will you do?

• Design, lead, and analyze sensory and consumer research to deliver actionable insights, decisional and diagnostic.
• Partner with product developers to ensure consistent delivery of high quality experience while enabling innovation, cost optimization, regulatory challenges, etc.
• Guide claims development and validation to support storytelling and product superiority.
• Anticipate consumer trends, cultural shifts, and market needs across EU to inspire future innovation.
• Mentor and coach colleagues, building sensory and consumer-centric mindset and capabilities across the business.

What are we looking for?

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Psychology, Statistics, or related field (Master’s preferred), or equivalent experience.
• Industry expertise: Proven background in the FMCG (ideally food/snacks) industry with strong sensory science and consumer research experience.
• Technical skills: Solid scientific expertise, advanced data analysis, and ability to translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Leadership/Strategic Influencing: Strong communication and storytelling skills to engage and inspire cross-functional partners agnostic of level.
• Mindset: Creative problem-solver, adaptable, nimble, someone who thrives in ambiguity and is not afraid of bringing a clear POV (even if it is not great news).

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.

Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long term health conditions or are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here

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