Sensory & Consumer Insights, Product Experience Researcher II

IFF • Tastepoint South, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Product Experience Researcher II translates sensory and consumer understanding into actionable recommendations for flavor and product development. The role manages cross-category Product Experience research projects in response to business needs, partnering with Creation and Design, Marketing, Human Futures, and regional Product Experience colleagues. The position is based on-site at IFF’s Tastepoint South location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and includes travel of up to 20%, primarily between Tastepoint and South Brunswick sites and occasionally for customer presentations.

The researcher balances daily commercial requests with longer-term initiatives; selects and implements appropriate sensory and consumer research methods; designs and conducts sensory, quantitative, qualitative, and social-listening research; analyzes complex data; and communicates findings to internal stakeholders and customers. The role 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 the ability to manage 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, with the ability to communicate insights to technical, commercial, and customer audiences.
• Strong business understanding, learning agility, and the ability to influence stakeholders in a fast-changing environment.
• Ability to travel up to 20%, primarily between Tastepoint and South Brunswick sites and occasionally for customer presentations.

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 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.
• 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.

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