Sensory and Consumer Experience Category Manager

Job Description

We are looking for a Sensory & Consumer experience (CX) Manager for Kraft Heinz International to join our outstanding Consumer & Culinary experience team; bringing together chef, consumer and sensory researchers with the passion to inspire and design delicious food experiences. As part of this team, you will have a critical role in delivering relevant and actionable product insights (recipe & pack) to drive the success of our innovations within the International Zone.

As a CX category manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the sensory experience of our products and ensuring they resonate with our consumers. You will lead the international CX strategy, roadmap and strategic projects for one of Kraft Heinz key categories.

Responsibilities

• Leading and/or coaching CX scientist in delivering best in class CX expertise on your category scope including strategic project portfolio
• Develop and implement a holistic CX strategy for your category to deliver insights that will enable our internal collaborators to take the right decision which will drive the success of our products.
• Play a leadership role in partnering with R&D, Marketing and Consumer Market Insights to drive our company short term (1 to 3y0 and long term (10y) strategies, integrating the needs of 3 Zones (2 emerging markets and 1 developed market).
• Lead CX innovation and renovation projects by providing actionable recommendations based on key findings. Provides complete sensory and consumer research learning plan from start to end together with our team of chefs. Ensure a comprehensive understanding of consumers perceptions to identify products opportunities and recommend action plans to drive business objectives.
• Proactively contributes to the CX strategic programs by enhancing the value of CX insights and ensuring that they are used to develop strong consumer product propositions including claims/benefits
• Use different tools (qual and quant) / different approaches (sensory and Design Thinking) and summarize different sources of information to guides the business for assessment of product and pack performance; in alignment with our testing best practices and recommendations.
• Work in close collaboration with multifunctional teams, ensuring regular connections with the zones for local relevance. Ensure a very strong collaboration with the Consumer Insight team in building & owning the overall insights learning plans roadmaps. Work as one team to ensure strong connections with Kraft Heinz Company business objectives.
• Proactively ensure strong connection with our innovation ecosystem and the external world to propose, develop and utilize novel methodologies to meet changing business needs when relevant. Publish and/or present in congresses according to opportunities.
• Co-responsible for continuous development of research best practices and innovative approaches to drive business impact.

Please kindly note that you need to have an EU Working Permit (Orientation Year Visa not included) in order to proceed for this position.

Qualifications and education requirements

• University degree (Masters or PhD) in Sensory & Consumer Science, Psychology, Anthropology, UX Design, or related fields
• Relevant (8+) experience in CX Research including experience in corporate (agency and/or FMCG company)
• Strong generalized knowledge and expertise in consumer experience research methodologies including both quantitative and qualitative approach. Expertise in sensory sciences methodologies and/or consumer lead innovation strategy is a plus.
• Strong communication and presentation skills: highly developed soft skills required for effective data presentation and business influence based on results. Ability to simplify complex data analysis to actionable, easy to understand insights.
• Strong stakeholder management skills: consultation and influencing capability for every level of exposure in the company

Soft Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and team skills (organization, prioritization, communication, and flexibility)
• Agile, happy to think out of the box
• Doer, creative and passion for design and food
• Love to work in a team

Professional Attributes

• Interpersonal Skills:At Kraft Heinz you will easily be exposed to senior management, no matter your level. Therefore, it is important you have excellent communication skills, to deal with all kinds of different partners.
• Analytical: We are a very data driven company. You know how to translate sophisticated data into a simple solution with your analytical demeanor.
• Result driven:You do not only focus on your results, but always do what is best for the company.
• Team player: Achieving results is nice but achieving results with the team is simply the best. You are a teammate, which means you are sometimes a leader, sometimes a follower but always working towards the same common goal together with your teammates.

What we offer you:

• An ambitious employer; we only want the best for you.
• A fast career track like only few other companies can match.
• A competitive salary and excellent bonus structure (above market); at KraftHeinz we strongly believe and live by ownership and meritocracy.
• Additional benefits such as Commuting Allowance, Hybrid Work Allowance & Reimbursements, Bicycle & Gym Discount Plan, Employee Assistance Program and Supplemental Health Insurance.
• A wide range of discounts with KraftHeinz’s partnerships on fashion, electronics, travels and many more!
• Last and not least; there are always room for new insights: If you have an idea, please let us know, and we can set it in action!

Location(s)

Nijmegen

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.