Job Description:

Location: Slough, United Kingdom

Work mode: Hybrid (at least 2 days per week in the office)

Salary: £57,000 – 65,000, annual bonus, benefits

Overview: The Consumer Insights Senior Scientist plays a key role in translating consumer insights into impactful product, packaging, and innovation strategies. This role combines scientific expertise with creativity to shape consumer experiences, collaborating with R&D, marketing, and consumer insights teams to drive business growth and differentiation.

What Will Be Your Key Responsibilities:

• Sensory & Consumer Research: Independently design, execute, analyze, and translate sensory and consumer research into actionable insights for product and packaging innovation. Use advanced qualitative and quantitative methodologies to solve complex research challenges. Articulate findings with strong storytelling skills to create convincing narratives.
• Strategic Business Influence: Partner with cross-functional teams to incorporate sensory insights into product narratives, identify market opportunities, and develop claims strategies. Guide differentiation and innovation pipelines with strong business acumen and understanding of trends and consumer needs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a bridge between sensory research, brand strategy, and product development to ensure insights inform decision-making. Build relationships with internal teams and external research partners.
• Technology & Program Development: Lead research initiatives to assess product modifications, innovations, and claims validation. Conduct testing to evaluate consumer response and meet market expectations. Navigate complex projects with analytical and creative thinking.
• Capability Development & Leadership: Mentor junior researchers, interns, and panel leaders. Provide sensory training to enhance understanding of product taste and quality within R&D and cross-functional teams.

What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Food Science, Psychology, Statistics, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 7+ years in consumer and market research (or 4+ years with a Master’s).
• Expertise in research methodologies, experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and storytelling skills.
• Experience with Design Thinking and consumer-centric innovation.
• Leadership, facilitation, influencing, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Passion for fostering an inclusive and diverse culture within global R&D teams.
• Proven track record of leveraging insights to drive strategic decisions across branding, portfolio, and innovation pipelines.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse, talented teams guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company aiming to build a better tomorrow.
• Access to Mars University for learning and development from day one.
• Competitive salary and benefits, including a bonus.
• Commitment to accessibility and equal opportunity, with reasonable adjustments available upon request.