Job Description

Location: Slough, United Kingdom

Work mode: Hybrid (at least 2 days per week in the office)

Salary: £57,000 – 65,000, annual bonus, benefits

Overview: The Consumer Insights Senior Scientist plays a key role in translating consumer insights into impactful product, packaging, and innovation strategies. This role combines scientific expertise with creativity to shape consumer experiences, collaborating with R&D, marketing, and consumer insights teams to drive business growth and differentiation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Sensory & Consumer Research: Design, execute, analyze, and translate sensory and consumer research into actionable insights for product and packaging innovation. Use advanced qualitative and quantitative methodologies to solve complex research challenges. Communicate findings effectively through storytelling and cohesive narratives.

• Strategic Business Influence: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to incorporate sensory insights into product narratives, identify market opportunities, and develop claims strategies. Guide differentiation and innovation pipelines with strong business understanding and consumer empathy.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a bridge between sensory research, brand strategy, and product development to ensure consumer insights inform decision-making. Build relationships with internal teams and external research partners.

• Technology & Program Development: Lead research initiatives to assess product modifications and innovations. Conduct testing to evaluate consumer response and ensure market fit. Navigate complex projects with analytical and creative thinking.

• Capability Development & Leadership: Mentor junior researchers, interns, and panel leaders. Provide sensory training to enhance understanding of product taste and quality within R&D and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Food Science, Psychology, Statistics, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 7+ years experience in consumer and market research within market research or CPG industries (or 4+ years with a Master’s).
• Expertise in research methodologies, experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and storytelling skills for translating insights into strategies.
• Proficiency in Design Thinking and consumer-centric innovation approaches.
• Leadership, facilitation, influencing, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Passion for fostering an inclusive and diverse culture within global R&D teams.
• Proven ability to leverage consumer insights for strategic decisions in brand positioning, portfolio, and innovation pipelines.

What We Offer:

• Work with diverse, talented teams guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company committed to building a better tomorrow.
• Access to Mars University for learning and development from day one.
• Competitive salary and benefits, including a bonus.

Mars is committed to equal opportunity and providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities or health conditions. To request adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here.

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Mars is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected characteristics. If you need assistance or accommodations during the application process, it is available upon request. No applicant will be penalized for requesting assistance.