Position Snapshot  

Location: Singapore 

Company: Nestle R&D Center, Singapore 

Type of contract: Permanent 

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 environment – passionate people driven by the purpose of enhancing the quality of life and contributing to a healthier future.  A Nestle career empowers you to make an impact locally and globally, as you are provided with the opportunity to make a mark and stand out, as long as you seek it.  With Nestle, you are enabled and encouraged to grow not only as professionals, but also as people. 

The Global Sensory and Product Insight Lead manages the local Sensory & Product Insight team, leads collaboration with project teams on global projects, drives sensory and consumer product research, and guides decision-making in global R&D projects for Nestlé's coffee brands. The expertise ensures success in product innovation and renovation in a dynamic, international environment. The Global Sensory and Product Insight Lead also plays a key role in piloting and implementing new digital tools for faster insights activation and executing the global digital roadmap. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

Leadership: Develop and manage the local Sensory & Product Insight team to deliver on our global priorities and digital capabilities 

• Set and align priorities for team members in line with the business needs and Global Innovation team 

• Manage resources and capability needs, build effective roadmap, manage budget 

• Promote competencies of sensory lab staff, lead people development and digital plans 

Drive consumer and sensory products insights 

• Deliver consumer and sensory product insights to guide Innovation and Renovation projects as a true partner collaborating closely with project managers and members of cross-functional teams 

• Manage sensory and consumer studies with clear, time-bound plans from start to finish including design, statistical analysis, interpretation, documentation, and presentation to stakeholders 

• Ensure continuous improvement for team support and development through communication and coaching of technicians, panel leaders and interns 

• Seek to continuously improve Consumer and Sensory Research methods, including digital tools piloting and ad hoc development, and promote agility according to business needs 

Responsibility within the Product Category Business 

• Build consumer and sensory product knowledge as well as competitive intelligence on products with clear links to consumer trends and business figures to influence strategy 

• Lead Sensory and Product Insight activities & competences in our Coffee R&D centre in Singapore, build category insights and expertise to ensure strategic decision-making and portfolio performances, and link back to the overall category strategy. 

• Provide technical assistance & expertise to markets/businesses in Sensory Evaluation and consumer research 

• Regional and category point of contact for our product preference global initiatives: guardian of methodologies, guides set-up of yearly plan and supports global team.  

Collaboration across business & product category 

• Work as part of a global innovation team across US, Switzerland, and Singapore to create a cohesive Sensory and Product function 

• Communicate proactively with product leads and business units to understand needs and business context 

• Network with Nestlé Research, other R&D centres for knowledge sharing and best practices 

• Keep up with new developments in the fields of consumer and sensory research 

What will make you successful  

• International experience in R&D with relevant exposure in different parts of the organization 

• Solid business understanding 

• Recognized expertise in Sensory and Product Insight field with the capacity to train others in the field (both sensory and consumer) 

• Demonstrated capability to lead and develop people with different expertise level in the field. 

• Solid understanding of I&R and operations set-up within a global company. 

• Major contribution in a recent product / innovation launch. 

Job Qualifications (Minimum Education, Experience, and Knowledge)

• Degree in Food Science, Psychology or equivalent preferred with emphasis in Sensory Science; Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred 

• 10 or more years of experience in Consumer and Sensory Research with application of a wide range of techniques 

• In-depth knowledge of statistics; ability to analyse DoE studies 

• Experience in the beverage category is a plus 

• Experience in line management is strongly recommended

• Ability to work independently and handle multiple projects simultaneously, as well as ability to work globally (agility in working hours)  

• Good interpersonal/teamwork skills and a sense of business/technical interrelationships 

• Excellent planning, organization, and project management abilities 

• Dynamic, proactive, and flexible with an entrepreneurial spirit 

• Focus on Consumer-Centricity and Product Perception 

• Flexible (Availability to travel) 

• Solid written and oral communication skills (including presentations) 

• Excellent computer skills (MS-Office applications, statistical software, and sensory data collection software) 

• Fluent in English (written and spoken)