Sensory & Consumer Insights Scientist

PepsiCo Inc.; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

PepsiCo Inc. in South Africa is seeking a senior Consumer Science professional to develop and implement sensory and consumer research strategies that inform product design across innovation, brand stewardship, renovation, Design to Value (DtV), product superiority, and portfolio transformation initiatives.

The role will primarily support the Grains & Bakeries and Beverages categories in South Africa, with support provided to priority projects across Middle East and Africa as required.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant scientific discipline with strong test design, research methodologies, and statistical analysis foundations.
• Relevant work experience in sensory or consumer research/insights, ideally within FMCG.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to implement the global Consumer Science innovation research roadmap, ensuring local alignment with the Technical Stage Gate (TSG) process.
• Develop integrated research plans spanning Gates 2 to 4 of the TSG process, aligning R&D, Consumer Insights, and Marketing.
• Localize and apply global Consumer Science processes to drive efficiency in time and cost across supported teams.
• Support the Consumer Science Manager and advocate the team’s vision and mission.
• Deliver actionable insights through interpretation of qualitative and quantitative consumer research, communicating implications to senior leadership up to LG2 executives.
• Mentor and coach team members to build capability and promote best-in-class research practices.
• Coordinate with peers and external partners to ensure appropriate resource allocation, test design, and deployment per best-practice standards.

Education

Master’s or PhD in Psychology, Food Science, or Sensory Science

Experience in sensory or consumer research in FMCG

Job description

PepsiCo Inc. in South Africa is seeking a senior Consumer Science professional to develop and implement sensory and consumer research strategies that inform product design across innovation, brand stewardship, renovation, Design to Value (DtV), product superiority, and portfolio transformation initiatives.

The role will primarily support the Grains & Bakeries and Beverages categories in South Africa, with support provided to priority projects across Middle East and Africa as required.