Sensory Qualitative Associate Director

Are you a dynamic sensory scientist or R&D professional? Are you looking to work as a Qualitative Sensory Associate Director on exciting client innovation projects?

With this role, you will be working on all the portfolio of Sensory Qual methodologies we have developed at MMR for the last 13 years to help support our clients in designing an ideal product and pack briefs to fit an idea/concept/positioning (being innovation or renovation), in understanding sensorially active characteristics during the consumption journey or in developing the complete guardrails for innovation working alongside our qual and brand consultant colleagues.

About MMR...

Spotted an exciting new product in the shops recently? Chances are, we've played a key role in its creation.

We are an independent, global consumer and sensory research agency specializing in food, drink, personal and household care 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 such as Coca Cola, Diageo, Mondelez, GSK, Kelloggs, Colgate and Unilever.

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 UK, US, China, South Africa, Singapore, Colombia, Brazil, India, Thailand and the Netherlands.

We are a “people first” company that prides itself on collaboration, honesty and mutual trust. Don’t take our word for it though, check us out on Glassdoor. You’ll see we’re currently rated at 4.7 out of 5 as an employer destination and a massive 97% of our employees would recommend working for us to a friend. Add to that 99% of our people approve of our CEO and you’ll get a general feel of what it means to be part of the MMR family.

Responsibilities...

You will therefore work across all MMR existing client teams and new ones too, which will provide a lot of variety in the product categories researched, as well as challenges. We are solution-focused, so adaptability and quick thinking are crucial, especially in the current circumstances. Most of MMR’s work is food, drink and personal care related, so experience in these sectors is advantageous, to be able to demonstrate relevant expertise to our clients.

All our Sensory Qual approaches use qualitative collaborative techniques, so consumer understanding and great client interaction are key to adding value to the process. You will own the projects you work on and deliver them from proposal to debrief as well as lead and collaborate on business development initiatives to continue to grow our client base.

We conduct research all over the world with a mix of in-person and online approaches with opportunities to travel when appropriate. Any foreign language skills are therefore advantageous. Being able to drive a car and travel within South Africa (and internationally), is essential.

As part of the wider Sensory Community of MMR, you will also be sharing your sensory knowledge and assessment skills across the business and be involved in selling and delivering exciting new ventures like Sensory Semiotics!

The EMEA Sensory Qual team you will join is a welcoming bunch of foodies that love nothing more than discovering new products to try from all over the world, and who will offer keen support throughout. In this role you will be responsible for managing one person based in Durban, South Africa, while working closely with the EMEA Sensory Qual team whom are largely based in the UK.

What we need from you:

• Energy and enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck in.
• Strong passion for sensory research and innovation in FMCG / CPG sectors.
• Sensory moderation – candidates should be able to elicit detailed sensory vocabulary from trained panelists and transfer these moderation skills to working with clients / untrained consumers.
• Sensory acuity– ability to articulate product sensory characteristics themselves and to provide clear argumentation / recommendation on product differences to support a product selection relevant to the project objectives.
• Strong communication skills (fluent in written / spoken English is essential)-must be comfortable presenting and leading workshops with both senior clients and internal stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills – candidates should feel comfortable leading a team and working collaboratively with other teams to deliver multi-stage projects, although should also be comfortable working independently too.

• Ability to write engaging story led presentations and present them with gravitas to senior audiences.
• Ability in managing one mid-level person based in Durban, SA and have the drive to grow the team in the future.

• Fluency in written / spoken languages African or Middle Eastern languages would be an advantage but not a requirement.

At MMR, we're committed to ensuring the happiness and well-being of each employee, regardless of where they are in the world!

We offer a wide range of core and additional benefits to enhance your experience with us. Competitive salaries, ample holiday allowances, and unparalleled training opportunities are standard here. Our vibrant culture, talented team, and focus on employee well-being is what makes MMR truly shine.

We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural and be the best versions of themselves.

Ready to experience it for yourself? Apply now!