Senior Sensory & Product Experience Specialist
About The Position
Nestlé’s Development Center in Marysville develops and renovates coffee and coffee-enhancing products, business models, and services for major coffee brands. The Senior Sensory & Product Experience Specialist collaborates with project teams to lead sensory and consumer research supporting Nestlé brands and R&D programs. The role promotes consumer-centric decision-making and provides functional thought leadership in a dynamic, international environment. The specialist partners with R&D and business teams throughout innovation and renovation, from early-stage development through launch. They select and apply appropriate research methods, lead study design and execution, analyze and communicate findings, and translate consumer responses into actionable product and packaging recommendations. The position also develops category and consumer knowledge, leads preference mapping, manages relationships with external service providers, improves methods and digital practices, and supports the growth of sensory panels and team capabilities. A relevant advanced degree is preferred. Candidates may qualify with a PhD and at least 2 years of relevant experience, a master's degree and at least 4 years, or a bachelor's degree and at least 7 years. The position is based at the Nestlé Development Center in Marysville and is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Requirements
- Degree in Sensory Science, Consumer Science, Market Research, Food Technology, Food Science, or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred.
- Relevant experience by degree level: PhD with a minimum of 2 years; master's degree with a minimum of 4 years; or bachelor's degree with 7 or more years.
- Experience with a wide range of sensory analysis and qualitative and quantitative consumer testing techniques and their applications.
- Solid experience applying univariate and multivariate statistical methods to generate insights.
- Strong analytical, statistical, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience leading trained sensory panels.
- Market research experience involving varied consumer testing techniques and/or work with consumer research agencies on product testing.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SAP.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical data into compelling storytelling for varied audiences.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Independent motivation.
- Good interpersonal and teamwork skills, and an understanding of business and technical interrelationships.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in statistical design of experiments.
- Consumer-packaged goods experience, especially experience on both R&D and business sides.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate early with R&D and business teams to leverage existing category and consumer knowledge.
- Represent the consumer perspective throughout innovation and renovation, partnering with R&D and Business Category Leads to define research questions and outcomes.
- Recommend sensory and consumer research methodologies and lead research design, execution, statistical analysis, and visual storytelling.
- Participate in cross-functional projects from front-end innovation through launch and transfer sensory and consumer knowledge to industrialization, including advising on consumer-centric sensory specifications.
- Build knowledge of product categories and target consumers, including how consumers perceive and interact with products.
- Promote best practices for taste preferences, sensory cues, and benefits in product and package design.
- Use trends, competitive benchmarking, preferences, sensory mapping, and other internal and external sources to inform product and packaging design.
- Apply experimental design and statistical analysis to translate consumer responses into drivers of liking and key sensory attributes.
- Lead strategically important research projects, developing fit-for-purpose qualitative and quantitative methodologies, procedures, and processes.
- Develop time-bounded study plans and prioritize available resources.
- Plan and design studies, analyze results, and communicate recommendations and implications for timely decision-making.
- Identify and communicate risks and opportunities, and collaborate to develop solutions.
- Draw on knowledge of adjacent functions to deepen understanding of products and consumers.
- Coordinate with Sensory Panel Leaders, Technicians, and external agencies to support efficient research execution and sensory panel projects.
- Lead category preference mapping to identify drivers of liking, white spaces, and recommendations for growth.
- Develop relationships with external service providers and ensure they support the Sensory & Product Experience function effectively.
- Develop and promote new research methods, including innovative and agile approaches and digital technologies.
- Model continuous improvement and share technical and functional knowledge across the organization.
- Maintain sensory panels and panel performance; participate in selecting and training panel members and coach Sensory Panel Leaders.
- Apply Nestlé global sensory and consumer guidelines and contribute to new research methods.
- Design or contribute to internal training and knowledge-sharing activities with the global network.
- Lead category-specific sensory and consumer training to improve capabilities in markets and R&D.
- Coach and train junior team members to support excellent, autonomous execution.
Benefits
- Performance-based incentives, including 7% bonus eligibility.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Healthcare coverage.
- A broad range of other benefits.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
