Scientist, Sparkling, Technical Consumer Data Research

The Scientist role in Technical Consumer Data Research (TCDR) reports to the Senior Director, TCDR, NAOU. The role delivers high-quality sensory and consumer data to support product, packaging, and  equipment development aligned with productivity, renovation, and innovation priorities for business-critical projects across the North America Operating Unit (NAOU). 

As an individual contributor, the TCDR Scientist designs, manages, and executes sensory and consumer research, ensuring rigorous study design, seamless execution, and robust data analysis. The role generates reliable data, actionable insights, and clear, well-grounded recommendations tailored to business needs. 

Working closely with the broader TCDR team and cross-functional business partners, the Scientist applies human-centered design principles and integrates consumer understanding into development processes. This includes building category knowledge, understanding consumer preferences, and translating insights into clear guidance that strengthens the innovation pipeline and supports delivery of market-relevant, consumer-preferred solutions. 

Organizationally, TCDR sits within the Innovation, Technology & Strategy function, enabling strong integration of sensory and consumer insights into strategic decision-making and reinforcing the role’s impact on delivering competitive, market-leading offerings. 

Function Related Activities / Key Responsibilities 

• Design, execute and conduct sensory & consumer research studies to meet specific project objectives gaining valuable sensory insights and providing guidance to the development team and business partner. Manage all phases of the study including experimental design, test execution, statistical analyses and reporting of the results, aligned with OU TCDR leader.

• Provide data-driven recommendations based on strong technical consumer research. 

• Conduct competitor benchmarking and Product, Packaging, Equipment evaluation to understand the competitive landscape in support of OU categories and brands.

• Understand and define fundamental sensory and consumer requirements of your categories and inject the knowledge into solution development.

• Be curious, proactively leverage external knowledge (supplier, symposium, literature review) to identify & prove alternative beneficial future forward methods (AI assisted), aligned with TCDR global category leader.

• Work as a close partner with the R&D categories team, Marketing and Human Insight team. 

• Work with minimal guidance and in close collaboration with project leaders.

Operational Related Activities – As Required

• Manage and lead internal sensory laboratory operations, including oversight of facilities, panels, and personnel (contractors, technicians, interns), while conducting and executing laboratory-based experiments to ensure protocol adherence, accurate data collection, and timely delivery of high-quality results supporting OU research and business objectives.

• Maintain laboratory to highest standard and lead required annual audits successfully.

Data Analytics & Synthesis 

• Perform analysis and interpret test results; form conclusions on studies conducted. Prepare and present technical conclusion.

• Working knowledge of Statistical software (SPSS, SAS, JMP, etc.), Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Project, Word. 

• Harness evolving technologies and data analytics to develop tools and solutions that bolster competitive advantage and deliver market-leading results.

• Bring the outside in, remain current with relevant scientific literature from external resources.

Technical Risk Management 

• Skilled in identifying and assessing technical risks, mitigate risks, implementing proactive measures to ensure project continuity and system integrity.

Business Understanding & System Knowledge 

• System Thinking, ability to listen to and influence those in less technical roles to act and invest in capabilities with compelling data backed business recommendations.

Technical Communication & Data Storytelling 

• Translate strategic visions into actionable plans, using knowledge of current business processes and best practices.

• Prepare and present technical conclusions to technical and non-technical audiences.

Influencing & Stakeholder Management  

• Function as a business partner by effectively nurturing internal and external relationships, including collaboration with research suppliers, academic institutions, and cross-functional project teams, to support and advance research initiatives.

Qualifications & Requirements:   

• Educational Requirement: Batchelor Science Degree BSc or MSc/ PhD from an accredited University in Food or Sensory Science, Engineering, Behavioral Psychology, or related field, and technical mastery of Sensory, Consumer, Applied Statistics, to include science, methodologies, frameworks, and approaches.

• Work Related Experience: 4+ years of experience within FMCG Beverage/Food Industry with proven relevant experience in Sensory and Consumer research and data, working in a FMCG organization with PD, Marketing and Human Insight, ability to translate data results into business recommendations. Operational Sensory laboratory, and experience is preferred. 

Desired Skills and Competencies: 

Human-Centered Design: Design a research plan to address key questions for a specific project  

• Sensory Science & Consumer Science
• Social & behavior science
• Research Design Principles for qualitative and quantitative research.
• Foundations of technical risk management
• User experience

Technical Communication: Simplify complex information in a concise format that is appropriate for the audience. 

• Analyze and communicate research in a fit for purpose format.
• Technical Communication and Storytelling with data
• Data Engineering, database development & understanding

Data Analytics & Synthesis of Structured and Unstructured data. 

• Excellent statistics and data analysis skills.
• Knowledge of AI and Machine Learning principles, demonstrating an eagerness to deepen understanding and apply these technologies effectively.
• Understand and work in data management tools and proficiency in visualization (Power BI or other)

Business Partnerships: Work with multiple functions to execute project work (R&D, Marketing, HI, etc.)  

• Serves as a trusted advisor, offering insights into relevant markets, business strategies, and operating environments to support informed decision-making across the organization and among individual team members.

• Cultivate strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders by providing valuable market analysis and strategic guidance to enhance business operations and drive organizational success.

Process Improvement: Recommend more effective ways of working to execute and drive value. 

Travel: Travel is not a requirement for this role.  

Direct Reports: 0