Sensory & Consumer Insights, Product Experience Researcher II

IFF • Tastepoint South, PA, USA, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Product Experience Researcher II helps translate sensory and consumer understanding into actionable recommendations. The role manages cross-category Product Experience research projects based on business needs and partners closely with Creation and Design, Marketing, Human Futures, and regional Product Experience team members. This is an on-site position based at IFF’s Tastepoint South location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The researcher balances daily commercial requests with longer-term initiatives, aligns project priorities, timelines, budgets, and resources with business strategy, and selects appropriate research methodologies. Work includes designing and conducting sensory and consumer studies, analyzing complex data, and presenting findings to internal stakeholders and customers. The position also manages onsite sensory testing laboratory activities and collaborates across Tastepoint and South Brunswick locations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in sensory science, psychology, neuroscience, experimental psychology, or a related field.
• At least seven years of experience in sensory science, consumer insights, or a related research field.
• Advanced knowledge of sensory and consumer research methodologies, including qualitative research, sensory evaluation, and quantitative consumer research.
• Experience analyzing complex data using advanced statistical techniques and software such as R, XLSTAT, or similar tools.
• Strong project-management skills, including managing budgets, resources, timelines, and competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently, make informed decisions, and deliver high-quality work with limited supervision.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate insights to technical, commercial, and customer audiences.
• Strong business understanding, learning agility, and ability to influence stakeholders in a fast-changing environment.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced expertise in sensory evaluation and consumer research across multiple food and beverage categories.
• Experience with social listening platforms and emerging research technologies.
• Confidence using artificial intelligence tools such as Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, or Claude, including experience building agents or research workflows.

Responsibilities

• Manage cross-category Product Experience research projects, balancing daily commercial requests with longer-term proactive initiatives.
• Align project prioritization, timelines, budgets, and resources with business strategy and stakeholder needs.
• Identify and implement sensory and consumer research methodologies that address project objectives and capture evolving consumption habits and taste preferences.
• Design and conduct discriminative and descriptive sensory research, quantitative consumer studies, social listening, and qualitative consumer research.
• Develop moderator guides and facilitate qualitative research.
• Analyze complex sensory and consumer data using statistical models, textual analysis, and other relevant approaches.
• Translate research findings into clear insights and actionable recommendations that support flavor and product development.
• Present findings to internal stakeholders and customers, demonstrating consumer understanding and product perception.
• Manage onsite sensory testing laboratory activities and collaborate across Tastepoint and South Brunswick locations.
• Travel up to 20%, primarily between Tastepoint and South Brunswick sites and occasionally for customer presentations.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Parental leave of up to 16 weeks.
• Opportunities to collaborate with global sensory, consumer insights, and flavor-development experts.
• Exposure to diverse research projects, customers, and food and beverage categories.
• A collaborative environment where consumer understanding, science, and creativity come together to shape products people love.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level