Analyst, Sensory & Consumer Insights

100 Panera, LLC; Georgia; On-site; USD 84,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Panera Bread is seeking an Analyst for Sensory & Consumer Insights to support the innovation pipeline and sensory testing programs. You will evaluate product performance, identify opportunities, and inform development decisions with strong analytical and communication skills.

You will partner with cross-functional teams to design studies, manage testing operations, and deliver actionable recommendations that influence product strategy and guest experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, market research, statistics, food science, or related field.
• MBA is a plus.
• Two to five years of relevant experience in food/beverage, sensory testing, or product research.

Responsibilities

• Support sensory and concept testing for recipes, ingredients, and future innovation.
• Design and program customer surveys aligned with research objectives.
• Manage the sensory testing experience, including participant sign-in and troubleshooting.
• Maintain sensory testing equipment, materials, and protocols.
• Analyze and present sensory and consumer research results to stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Collaboration

Data synthesis

Project management

MS Office

Education

BA/BS in business, market research, statistics, food science or related field

MBA a plus

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Overview

Analyst, Sensory & Consumer Insights Position Overview The Analyst, Sensory & Consumer Insights will support Panera’s innovation pipeline and sensory testing programs by helping evaluate product performance, identify and size opportunities, and inform product development and optimization. This role will partner with cross-functional teams to execute research, translate findings into clear insights, and deliver actionable recommendations that support business decisions. Strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills are critical to success in this position.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Support sensory and concept testing for Panera Bread: Partner with cross-functional teams to plan, manage, and execute sensory and product testing for recipes, ingredients, and future innovation
• Design and program customer surveys that align with research objectives and deliver clear, actionable feedback
• Manage the front-of-house sensory testing experience, including participant welcome and sign-in, survey troubleshooting, and food service coordination
• Maintain sensory testing equipment, materials, documentation, and testing protocols
• Analyze and present sensory and consumer research results to internal stakeholders, vendors, and suppliers
• Maintain a historical database and benchmarking system of sensory test results to inform future decisions
• Conduct focus groups or moderated feedback sessions with sensory participants, as needed
• Develop recommendations to improve sensory testing, product performance, and guest experience
• Analyze and report findings from concept tests (Datassential) and related consumer research studies
• Support other sensory-related needs as defined by the business
• Support broader Research & Insights projects: Build strong working relationships with key stakeholders and become a trusted partner for research support and consumer insight
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with trusted research vendors and partners
• Maintain and update the research library to ensure teams have access to relevant, timely analysis and prior learnings

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Prior Experience Two to five years of relevant professional experience required Food, beverage, restaurant, sensory testing, or product research experience strongly preferred
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including:
  • Product development and innovation research, such as concept screening, sensory testing, or product testing
  • Segmentation, market structure, and strategic consumer analyses, including drivers of growth
• Experience supporting or managing market research projects, including survey design, implementation, data analysis, interpretation, and report writing
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, DIY research environment
• Ability to synthesize data and present analytical findings in a concise, compelling, and business-relevant way
• Ability to work independently while seeking guidance and alignment from manager as needed
• Strong data analysis skills, with preferred experience in statistical analysis, competitive evaluation, and insight synthesis
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor insights for different audiences
• Education BA/BS in business, market research, statistics, food science or other related field MBA a plus Food service industry experience a plus

Working Conditions

Required travel – up to 15-25%

Competitive Pay

$83,686 to $100,423 annually. The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

Newton Support Center

With more than 2,000 Panera LLC and independent franchise bakery-cafes in the Panera Bread family, and more locations opening all the time, it’s no wonder our company has been an excellent source of career and personal growth opportunities for more than 25 years. In neighborhoods across the U.S. and Canada, customers enjoy flavorful, handcrafted meals centered around freshly baked artisan bread. To us, that means serving food like we serve our own families – free of any of the items on our ‘No No’ List. Along the way, we also like to give back to our community. We enjoy working together, shoulder to shoulder with our customers, to confront a serious problem plaguing communities across this country – Hunger. Through our Panera Cares community cafes, we offer a dignified dining experience in an uplifting environment. In addition, we support our communities through day-end donations at our bakery-cafe locations and partner with local non-profit organizations. It’s this warmth that you’ll find when you join Panera Bread. From our competitive compensation and benefits packages to our unique cultural values, we’re confident you’ll find us a rewarding and fun place to work.