Sensory and Consumer Senior Scientist

  • All Posting Locations: Nijmegen, Gelderland, NL
  • Job Functions: Research & Development
  • Date Published: April 16, 2025
  • Ref#: R-92118

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a 4 pack of raspberry jell-o

About the Role

Job Description

What's on the Menu:

We have an opportunity for a Sensory and Consumer Senior Scientist at Kraft Heinz. This position lies within the Global Growth R&D structure and is located in Nijmegen, Netherlands. You’ll be working in a successful team, alongside peers always trying to reach the next level. This position will be reporting into one of our Consumer Experience Managers within the global consumer and culinary experience team.

The primary responsibility will be to act as the drive for one of our key category strategic projects – from understanding the business need, translating it into the most relevant consumer learning plan and delivering insights to support the development of Kraft Heinz future pipeline (innovations, range extensions and renovations). You will work in an agile & cross-functional environment to deliver at speed desirable product propositions to our consumer in our different zones.

Key Ingredients:

  • Play a pivotal role in guiding innovation and renovation projects for assigned product categories
  • Provide complete sensory and consumer research learning plan from start to end. Ensure holistic understanding of consumers perceptions to identify products opportunities and recommends action plans to implement key findings and drive business objectives.
  • Use tools (sensory, qualitative and quantitative consumer research, innovation) and summarize different sources of information to guide the business for assessment of product and pack performance in alignment with our testing principles
  • Use your expertise including analytical skills and consumer experience understanding expertise to convert the data into actionable insights and conclusions.
  • Lead complex and strategic projects in autonomy. Able to handle high levels of complexity; capable of collecting information from different sources and connecting the dots.
  • Be the CX representative of your category agile cross functional POD team; participating in rituals and collectively deciding on POD progression. Work as one team to ensure strong connections with Kraft Heinz Company business objectives.
  • Develop and maintain a strong network within R&D, Marketing and Consumer Insights in order to anticipate needs and assure full alignment on insight-driven projects. Facilitate consensus on project learning plans considering resource, time and budget constraints.
  • Ensure a very strong collaboration with the Consumer Insight team in building & leading the overall insights learning plans roadmaps.
  • Manage activities of research suppliers. Set high standards, provide continuous feedback. Appropriately question and challenge suppliers to ensure the best thinking and continuous improvement.
  • Proactively feeds the Global R&D and marketing community using projects insights into category fundamental understanding.
  • Co-responsible for continuous development of sensory and consumer research best practices and new approaches to drive business impact.

Recipe for Success: Apply if it sounds like you

  • University degree (Masters or PhD) in Sensory Science, Consumer Science, Food Science, Psychology or related fields
  • Relevant (6+ years) experience in Sensory and Consumer research in agency and/or FMCG company
  • Generalized understanding of sensory methodologies including descriptive, descriptive analysis.
  • Strong generalized knowledge and experience in Consumer testing methodologies including Qual and Quant in connection with technical data analytic (sensory, pack, etc).
  • Strong communication and presentation skills: highly developed soft skills required for effective data presentation and business influence based on results.
  • Expert in current and innovative Sensory and Consumer Science methodologies and Data Science
  • Strong interpersonal and team skills (organization, prioritization, communication, and flexibility)
  • Strong problem solving and attention to detail skills
  • Strong consultation and influencing capability
  • Ability to simplify complex data analysis to actionable, easy to understand insights.

What we offer you / You deserve

  • An ambitious employer: we want to the best for you;
  • A fast career track like only few other companies can match;
  • Reimbursement for commuting costs
  • Hybrid working model
  • Discount on health insurance and gym membership
  • Always room for new ideas; if you have an excellent idea, please let us know, and we can set it in action!

We grow our people to grow our business. We develop extraordinary people who bring ambition, curiosity, and dedication to the table as the guardians of our beloved and nostalgic brands. We choose greatness every day by challenging the ordinary and making ambitious decisions.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes

We hope you find a seat at our table!

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.

Digital at Kraft Heinz

The
Builders

Our Digital team empowers every aspect of our business.

Discovering what’s next in food using Python, Azure ML and Alteryx. Building and designing apps. Improving our supply chain.

We’re bringing agility to beloved brands across the globe — making life delicious for our customers and communities, today and tomorrow.

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HR at Kraft Heinz

The
Facilitators

People are what makes Kraft Heinz great. Today. And tomorrow.

In Human Resources, we’re finding and developing great talent to continue our legacy. We’re here for every colleague, for their performance and their wellbeing.

Together, we’re helping everyone to grow their own way.

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Manufacturing at Kraft Heinz

The
Makers

Our Manufacturing team is a fully-integrated end-to-end supply chain. We’re the backbone of Kraft Heinz. The people behind the products, delivering the highest quality and value.

Whether you’re a seasoned manufacturing veteran or new to the world of plants, there’s tons of opportunity for career growth and development.

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Marketing at Kraft Heinz

The
Strategizers

Our Marketing team are the voice of our consumers. Connecting the right people, to the right products, with the right messages and campaigns.

We’re the architects of category growth, making sure our brands are front and center — winning the battle for attention in the minds of people everywhere.

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R&D at Kraft Heinz

The
Creators

Our Research and Development team creates high-quality products that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Innovation is what gets us up in the morning!

Whether you want to develop your technical skills or grow as a people manager, there’s a place for you here to advance your career.

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Sales at Kraft Heinz

The
Connectors

Our Sales team drives multibillion dollar distribution strategies. And we do this across channels and across the whole world!

We thrive wherever consumers can meet iconic and innovative brands — in retail, on-trade, and B2B. We’re the closest people to our customers, getting our products to the right people, in the right places.

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Hear from
our people

“Kraft Heinz doesn’t just talk about their values, they live it every day.”

Traci
Senior Customer Sales Manager

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Hear from
our people

“The best is yet to come at Kraft Heinz. I’ve experienced the launch of a new purpose, new vision and values. Now I’m seeing all of those things truly take shape and that is very exciting.”

Michael
Associate Director Pension

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Hear from
our people

“The best thing about working at Kraft Heinz are the benefits and opportunities for growth and career development.”

Manetta
Talent acquisition Specialist

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About Us

Kraft Heinz is a global food company with a delicious heritage.  Our emerging and iconic food and beverage brands deliver the best taste, fun, and quality to every table we touch. Worldwide.

We’re on a mission to disrupt not only our own business, but the global food industry. Consumer obsession and unexpected partnerships fuel our progress. As we drive innovation company-wide.

Our people are connected by a culture of ownership, agility and endless curiosity. We believe in being good humans — working to improve our company, communities, and planet.

We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more thrilled about where we’re headed as we nourish the world and lead the future of food.

Why Us

We grow our people to grow our business. We champion great people who bring ambition, curiosity, and high performance to the table as the guardians of our iconic and nostalgic brands.

Good isn’t good enough. We choose greatness every day by making bold decisions and challenging what’s ordinary. All while celebrating our wins – and failures – as we work together to transform the future of food.

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