Scientist, R&D – Consumer Experience

Job Description 

We are looking for a Consumer Experience Scientist for Kraft Heinz North America to drive key strategic projects from understanding the business need, translating consumer feedback and sensory data into strong insights to support product development from winning concept to successful in market product launch.  You will play a strong role in delivering relevant learning plans and actionable recommendations to drive growth of our existing products and new innovations within the US and Canadian markets.  With the support of department lead and Sr. Scientists, you will be accountable for developing learning plans, research study execution, data analysis, on time reporting and business actionable recommendations based across the entire product usage journey for an assigned category.    

Sounds interesting? It could well be your perfect opportunity if, like us, you have a passion for food, products and consumers.  

Key Components of the role 

• Owns consumer experience projects from start to end for assigned category; establish and execute consumer and sensory product and pack assessments of our existing products and innovations ensuring holistic understanding of the consumer experience and translation into clear action plan recommendations 

• Leads Sensory QDA Panel for assigned category; plans and conducts training to develop and maintain panel and provide sensory evaluation project support 

• Leads quantitative and qualitative consumer research projects through vendor partners and employee panels 

• Leads sensory and consumer experience fundamental training for factory operations personnel to enhance quality control sensory evaluation practices. 

• Capable of collecting information from different sources, using data analysis and expertise to simplify and communicate key learning and actionable next steps with support from Sr. Scientists 

• Capable of managing multiple projects of varying levels of complexity and timelines with support 

• Consults with internal clients to provide Sensory & Consumer Experience research learning plan recommendations  

• Develops basic understanding of Kraft Heinz Company business 

Organizational Relationships: 

• Interacts and influences all levels of Brand Marketing and R&D Team (Technician to VP) with support of CX department lead and Sr. Scientists.  Facilitates alignment of research plan and action standards across cross-functional project teams. 

• Collaborates with Corporate CIS, Senior CIS Management and international Culinary and Consumer Experience team.  Participates in CX team activities including trainings, vendor assessments, new method exploration, etc.   

• Manages activities of research suppliers. Sets high standards, provides on-going feedback.  Appropriately questions and challenges suppliers to ensure best thinking and continuous improvement 

Minimum Qualifications: 

 
Education and Experience: 

Minimum BS (Food Science, Physical Science, Social Science or Market Research preferred) with 1-3 years of experience or MS in Sensory Science.  Consumer packaged goods experience required. Experience with descriptive panel leadership preferred. 

Specialized knowledge Required: 

• Proficiency in the English language (both verbal and written) 

• Competency with Windows based software (Microsoft Office) 

• Fundamental understanding of statistics and design of experiments 

• Strong knowledge of consumer experience and sensory methodologies (difference testing, descriptive analysis, acceptance testing, focus groups, conjoint, etc.),as well as experience/exposure to panel and focus group moderation 

• Experience executing sensory tests and analyzing, interpreting, and reporting sensory data. And able to distill results into clear and actionable insights and recommendations.   

• Strong interpersonal and team skills (organization, prioritization, communication, and flexibility) 

• Strong problem solving and attention to detail 

• Able to work alone and in a team 

• Experience with RedJade Data Collection software a plus 

• Sensory/Consumer lab experience in a food and beverage related industry a plus (i.e. CPG firms, sensory and consumer research vendors, ingredient suppliers, etc.)