Director, Sensory Science & Product Perf

Colgate-Palmolive; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 165,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Basic life insurance

Paid parental leave

Disability coverage

401(k) with company match

15 vacation days and 13 paid holidays

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive is seeking a Sensory Science and Product Performance Director to lead day-to-day sensory and product testing, including consumer, employee, and expert panels. You will set up standardized processes for data collection and reporting and manage a team of five, collaborating with category leads across Oral Care, Skin Health, Personal and Home Care.

The role requires 7+ years in sensory science or consumer insights, 3+ years of people management, and strong leadership with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• 7+ years of professional experience in sensory science and/or consumer insights is required.
• 3+ years of experience as a people manager is required.
• Experience leading consumer/expert/employee panels and analyzing resulting data is required.
• Experience in leading technical projects and influencing cross-functional partners within CPG, Food Technology, Personal Care, or related consumer products is required.
• Ability to communicate and present to technical and non-technical audiences at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Sets up the new group/team of Sensory and Product Performance team.
• Leads all the sensory and product testing - consumers, employees and expert panel.
• Oversees standardization of the process of conducting product and consumer experience testing, questionnaires, data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Ensures testing incorporates benchmarking against key competitors/gold standard for perceivable superiority.
• Leads the setting up of data collection to house and own the database for internal reporting and predictive insights.
• Uncovers cross-category/transversal opportunities.
• Embeds a granular approach to the entire product usage journey.
• Leads the group which will support the Strategic Category Leads (not client facing).

Skills

Strong leadership

Team-building

Analytical thinking

People-centric mindset

Data curation

Synthesis / connecting the dots

Education

Bachelor's degree

Masters or MBA

Job description

No Relocation Assistance Offered

Job Number #175923 - Piscataway, New Jersey, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

Summary

The Sensory Science and Product Performance Director is primarily responsible for leading the day to day operations of all sensory and product testing - consumers, employees and expert panel. This new role will set-up and standardize the process of conducting product and consumer experience testing, questionnaires, data collection and reporting

The role interacts with all of the Insights Strategic Category Leads - Oral Care, Skin Health, Personal and Home Care and will manage a team of 5 people

What you will do

• Sets-up the new group/team of Sensory and Product Performance team
• Leads all the sensory and product testing - consumers, employees and expert panel
• Oversees the setting up and standardization of the process of conducting product and consumer experience testing, questionnaires, data collection, analysis and reporting
• Ensures all testing incorporates benchmarking against key competitors/gold standard for perceivable superiority
• Leads the setting up of data collection to ensure we house and own the database for better and standard internal reporting and be more predictive and prescriptive
• Uncovers cross-category/transversal opportunities
• Embeds the mindset of being granular/surgical with the entire product usage journey
• Leads the group which will support to the Strategic Category Leads (not client facing)

Competencies/Skills

• Strong leadership
• Able to execute the vision of building a new team
• Insightful and analytical
• People-centric mindset
• Data Curation
• Connecting the dots/synthesis

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree is required
• 7+ years of professional experience in sensory science and/or consumer insights is required
• 3+ years of experience as a people manager is required
• Experience in leading consumer/expert/employee panels and analyzing resulting data is required
• Previous industry experience leading technical projects and influencing cross-functional partners within the CPG, Food Technology, Personal Care, or related consumer products experience
• Ability to communicate and present to technical and non technical audiences at all levels

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters or MBA

Compensation And Benefits

Salary Range $165,000.00 - $200,000.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.