Sensory Manager
Sensory Manager - 24-Month FTC
Location: Ashby-de-la-Zouch (Home of Hula Hoops, Popchips, Nik Naks, and more…)
At KP Snacks, we embrace a dynamic working model built on trust, choice, and balance. Our colleagues typically connect in person three days a week, fostering collaboration and creativity. Plus, enjoy our Dynamic Friday Hours, allowing you to finish early when your role permits!
Join Our Snack-Loving Team!
Are you ready to bring your ideas to the table and grow your skills? We’re on the lookout for a Sensory Manager to join our vibrant team at KP Snacks. If you value creativity and collaboration, this could be your next big move!
About the Role
As a Sensory Manager, you will lead a team of sensory specialists and expert tasters, providing essential sensory expertise to various departments including Research & Development, Marketing, and Operations. Your role will be pivotal in ensuring robust sensory testing and analysis supports key business decisions across innovation, product improvement, cost optimization, and quality.
Utilizing a range of sensory methodologies and statistical techniques, you will deliver meaningful insights that help us create products that delight our consumers. You’ll champion best practices in sensory evaluation, build strong relationships across our sites, and continuously seek opportunities to enhance our sensory capabilities.
What’s in It for You?
We believe in rewarding our colleagues and helping them thrive. Here’s a taste of what we offer:
- Competitive Salary: Annual salary review, bonus opportunity (target 7.5%), and a KP Pension Plan with up to 7% matched contributions.
- Generous Holiday: 25 days of holiday with the option to buy up to five additional days, plus extra holiday after five years of service.
- Comprehensive Healthcare: Including Single Cover Private Healthcare, Health Cash Plan, Digital GP, and Employee Assistance Programme.
- Sustainable Travel: Electric Vehicle Car Scheme for cost-effective travel.
- KP4ME Benefits Platform: Discounts, cashback, and wellbeing support.
- Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced policies to support colleagues at every life stage.
Your Responsibilities
- Lead Sensory Capability: Manage sensory programs and ensure resources are effectively deployed to support innovation and business growth.
- Provide Expert Insights: Design and deliver sensory studies, analyze complex data, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
- Develop a High-Performing Team: Recruit, train, and motivate sensory panellists while maintaining the highest standards of sensory evaluation.
- Drive Sensory Excellence: Promote best practices, design training, and support informed product development decisions.
- Build Strong Relationships: Collaborate with various teams and external partners to deliver impactful sensory programs.
Who Are We?
We’re KP Snacks, part of the Intersnack family. With over 15,000 colleagues across more than 30 countries, we create the snacks people love—from Hula Hoops to McCoy’s. In the UK, our close-knit team of around 2,400 colleagues thrives on collaboration, celebrating differences, and pushing boundaries together.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We’re dedicated to building a workplace where everyone belongs. If you don’t tick every box, we still want to hear from you—your unique perspective could be just what we need. Let us know if there’s anything we can do to make the process easier for you.
What We’re Looking For
- Strong Sensory and FMCG Experience: Proven experience in an FMCG environment, ideally food, with expertise in sensory assessment and product development.
- Excellent Analytical Skills: Knowledge of sensory methodologies and statistical analysis, with the ability to turn complex data into actionable insights.
- People Leadership Skills: Experience in leading teams, managing priorities, and building effective relationships with stakeholders.
- Relevant Scientific Qualification: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a science discipline, ideally including food science and/or statistics.
- Proactive and Passionate Approach: Enthusiasm for food and sensory science, excellent communication skills, and a valid UK driving license.
