Head of Sensory UK

Head of Sensory UK  

Do you have sensory management experience? Are you looking for your next opportunity to fast-track your sensory career? Apply now to join the sensory team at MMR! 

MMR has big plans for our European sensory operations, and we’re looking for a proactive and ambitious individual to lead our growing commercial sensory team as Head of Sensory UK. Depending on level experience and seniority, there may also be the opportunity to remotely manage the Netherlands commercial sensory operations, expanding your remit to cover both regions. 

MMR is an independent, global consumer and sensory research agency specialising in food, drink, personal, household care and OTC research. We are industry leaders, guiding best-in-class innovation for our clients - partnering with over 50% of the top 100 global food and drink brands. We achieve this by leveraging MMR sensory expertise, placing more emphasis on business development and consultancy but, most importantly, by developing deeper, added-value relationships with our existing multi-national FMCG clients. 

Our team of over 900 highly engaged, multi-disciplined employees are primarily dynamic research professionals, sensory experts and data scientists. We're a diverse bunch, with backgrounds in R&D, insight, marketing, sensory science, data sciences and psychology. We also boast a true global reach with offices in the US, UK, The Netherlands, China, Singapore, Mumbai, Thailand, South Africa, Colombia and Brazil, and sensory panel operations in 6 different regions. There is no shortage of opportunities to develop, for those who can handle the pace and growth.  

We are a "people first" company that prides itself on collaboration, honesty and mutual trust. A company who obtained some fantastic feedback for company engagement and team spirit in a recent employee study with 80% of employees stating they're happy and proud to work for MMR. 

The successful candidate will join our Sensory Science Centre team in Wokingham, UK, working on-site on panel days (Tuesdays to Thursdays with occasional Mondays). 

This is a fast paced role that requires extensive knowledge and experience in managing descriptive sensory research operations, and senior-level client, project and team management. You will be responsible for overseeing commercial operations, strategy and performance of MMR’s Sensory Science Centres based in the UK, and potentially also the Netherlands. This varied role will allow you to work with different internal MMR functions (sensory, quantitative and qualitative consumer research, statisticians and business development) and to develop a wider skillset in other functional areas. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Managing commercial sensory research operations  

• To maintain and increase the UK sensory revenue  

• To independently manage UK sensory operations, including project delivery, from initial briefing, to proposal writing, report writing and presentation, ensuring that the research proposal, design, session planning and panel leading, analysis and interpretation fulfils clients’ needs 

• To skilfully juggle priorities and manage schedules, costs and resources to meet client expectations 

• To establish client relationships through building trust and demonstrating expertise, to drive new business and repeat business with own clients 

• To come up with creative solutions to meet clients’ unique challenges and input into MMR’s future sensory method development and growth 

• To design and create research and methodologies, and write proposals to best meet objectives 

• To attend client meetings/visits / presentations and take an active sensory expert role in product tasting/ immersion sessions and debriefs 

• To manage, train and mentor members of the UK Sensory teams, and help them develop their skills and careers 

• To coordinate collaborative initiatives across departments and geographical boundaries to improve working relationships  

• For candidates with the appropriate level of experience, there is potential to extend responsibilities to include the Netherlands commercial sensory team, managing cross-country operations and strategy for both regions  

• To adhere to company procedures ensuring high quality in operations and client relations at all times 

• To proactively promote MMR sensory capabilities and expertise through networking, marketing events and conferences 

• Sensory consultancy  

• To drive the sales, planning and delivery of sensory consultancy services. This may include recruiting and training panellists on-site at client locations or remote, coaching client employees, analysing panel performance data or providing other sensory expertise as needed 

• To occasionally run panel sessions to cover for illness/absences of the panel leader or specific project requirements 

• Manage, support and mentor sensory colleagues working on-site at client locations 

Requirements: 

• Sensory project management experience, including descriptive analysis, is essential 

• Client relationship building and business development experience 

• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to multi-task and work effectively in a fast-paced environment 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 

• Critical thinking skills and solution focused attitude with a creative flair 

• Advanced research design and analysis capabilities 

• People management and mentorship  

• Independently work directly with clients 

• Educated to degree level (ideally Master’s Degree in Food Science, Sensory or Psychology) with 5+ years’ experience in industry  

We’ve placed passion, honesty, curiosity, positivity and commercial orientation at the center of our corporate values – do they fit what you’re looking for in your next career move?  If so, you will flourish in MMR’s environment, with the autonomy to express yourself and the tools to really connect with clients. 

We look forward to hearing from you. 

MMR is an Equal Opportunities Employer.