Sr Sensory Scientist

The Senior Sensory Scientist role within the Research, Development, and Quality organization will lead sensory and consumer research that supports the product innovation and renovation agenda and guides the development of great-tasting beverages across multiple categories and brands. The Senior Sensory Scientist will independently develop research strategies, select and apply advanced sensory and consumer methods, and analyze and integrate data to translate consumer and sensory insights into clear product direction.

Working closely with Product Development, Marketing, Consumer Insights, Quality, Regulatory and Operations, this role serves as a sensory subject matter expert on complex and high-priority projects, influences cross-functional decision making, and helps advance sensory capabilities, methods and best practices across the organization.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES

Sensory & Consumer Research Leadership

• Independently designs and leads complex sensory research, including discrimination, descriptive and consumer testing, across a variety of brands, products and business priorities.
• Develops comprehensive sensory and consumer research strategies that address complex business and technical questions and applies experimental design and DOE principles to sensory research.
• Partners with internal sensory panels and other Sensory Scientists to determine the most effective research approaches and deliver timely, reliable data.
• Ensures high-quality research execution, data integrity and appropriate documentation of sensory work.

Data Analysis & Insight Generation

• Analyzes and integrates sensory, consumer and statistical data, translates findings into actionable insights, and provides clear technical recommendations that influence product development decisions.
• Uses sensory research and statistical software (e.g., Compusense, FIZZ, JMP) to design experiments, collect and analyze data, and generate insights.
• Identifies key sensory and consumer drivers and translates complex findings into clear implications for products and the business.

Product Development & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partners with Product Developers and cross-functional teams to establish sensory targets, identify key product drivers, and guide formulation and optimization of prototypes and finished products.
• Serves as a sensory subject matter expert on complex, high-visibility or strategically important product development initiatives.
• Influences Marketing and Consumer Research programs by helping shape learning plans, integrating sensory and consumer data, and translating insights into product direction.
• Builds strong cross-functional relationships and influences project direction through sensory and consumer expertise.

Communication & Influence

• Communicates research findings, recommendations, risks and implications to cross-functional stakeholders and senior leadership, tailoring the message to audiences with varied sensory knowledge.
• Synthesizes complex technical information into clear recommendations that enable decision making.
• Effectively influences project direction and business decisions through technical expertise, strong storytelling and objective evidence.

Sensory Capability & Technical Leadership

• Leads or contributes to the development and continuous improvement of standardized sensory practices, protocols, research methods and processes.