Sensory Specialist

Location: Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire
Company: Nestlé Research and Development Center, Sub-Saharan Africa, Abidjan.
Position Type: Full-time
Minimum Educational qualification: Minimum Master’s Degree in Sensory, Food Sciences, Statistics or equivalent.
Minimum Relevant work experience: A minimum of 5 years’ working experience in a similar role in R&D or Operations.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Joining Nestlé means you are joining the largest Food and Beverage Company in the world.  At our very core, we are a human company driven by our purpose to enhance the quality of life and contribute to a healthier future. 

Nestlé Research and Development Center in Cote d’Ivoire is currently looking for a Sensory Specialist to:

• act as sensory lab lead: lead and manage the sensory lab to support accelerator projects, front end innovation explorations, R&D projects. Plan and execute sensory tests, evaluation and reports, monitor time to deliver and quality. Understand true need behind request and reformulate. Evaluate, propose and integrate new sensory tools, methodologies and equipment. Manage and organize maintenance of sensory lab equipment to maintain it operational. Manage, recruit, and train internal and external sensory panels. Ensure full compliance of sensory lab. Actively participate in the R&D sensory network.
• act as digital lab lead: lead and manage the digital lab to support accelerator projects, front end innovation explorations. Plan and execute social listening and digital social testing experiment and report. Understand true need behind request and reformulate. Evaluate, propose and integrate new digital tools, methodologies and service. Actively participate to the R&D digital network.
• act as sensory and consumer facilitator: lead and manage consumer and sensory testing during creative workshop in coordination with market consumer teams.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Managing sensory tests

• Collect and prioritize requests.

• Plan and execute of tests in compliance with Nestlé practices and procedures defined and local regulatory requirements.

• Deliver test report on time and quality.

• Track request execution and collect requester feedback.

• Manage and develop internal and external panels.

• Create and maintain relevant connections with key stakeholders across Nestlé.

• Evaluate and propose new sensory tools, methodologies, and equipment.

• Proactively share, evaluate, and inspire others on new tools (including digital and AI tools).

• Manage the Sensory equipment and stationeries and keep it operational.

Managing social listening and tests

• Leverage Nestlé Digital and AI tools to deliver social listening and digital testing to support projects.

• Conduct ongoing technological monitoring of both internal and external tools related to social listening and digital testing, and ensure proper integration of selected/validated new tools.

• Collect and prioritize requests.

• Select adequate tool and execute the request.

• Deliver test report on time and quality.

• Track request execution and collect requester feedback.

• Create and maintain relevant connections with key stakeholders across Nestlé.

Supporting creative workshop

• Organize, prepare, and execute consumer interaction in cooperation with market consumer teams during creative  workshops.

What will make you successful

• Master’s degree in Sensory, Food sciences, Statistics or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in similar role in R&D or Operations.
• Knowledge of NesTMS and recipe management.
• Up to date knowledge of sensory standard tools, processes, and good practices.
• Demonstrated continuous initiative, curiosity, creativity, rigor and pragmatism.
• Up to date knowledge of digital and social listening, digital testing and AI would be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated passion and culture for sensory.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and French (written and oral).

Nestlé is an equal opportunity /inclusive employer that welcomes applications from all groups of society and that reasonable adjustments can be provided, if needed, during the recruitment process as well as during employment.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The closing date for application is 17th November 2025.