Business Area: Nestle Production Technology Centre – Associate Sensory Specialist

Type: 12-month FTC  4 days a week

Location: York

Salary Circa £30,000 – £35,000, depending on experience and qualifications

Some of our other fantastic benefits 

• Generous pension scheme – up to 12% contribution from Nestle 

• 9 flexible days on top of 25-day holiday entitlement 

• 2 paid volunteering days 

Although this is a 0.75 opportunity, please speak to us about what flexibility means to you as we are always open to discuss individual’s flexible working.

Why this role matters for your development

This is a unique opportunity to work on some of our most iconic brands, gaining exposure to global confectionery projects and cross-functional stakeholders. You will build visibility within the wider R&D and Product Technology network, strengthening your ability to influence decisions and accelerate your career in sensory and product experience.

As a Sensory Specialist, you will provide critical data driven insights to guide product and ingredient decisions, using best-practice methodologies and robust data analysis to steer I&R projects.

You will take ownership of prioritising work to deliver against business timelines, translating complex sensory data into clear, actionable recommendations for stakeholders.

We take pride in championing inclusion and diversity. We proudly signed the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter, are committed to Disability Confidence, and have been recognised as a Times Top 50 Employer for gender equality for three consecutive years. Additionally, we are a headline partner of Diversity and Inclusion in grocery.

A bit about us

NPTC Confectionery & Snacking York is Nestlé’s leading centre for Confectionery & Snacking Research & Development worldwide, working in partnership with 4 development centres in Chile, China, Singapore and Ivory Coast. In York we are a team of 170 amazing people from over 30 nationalities and a variety of academia. We have a real focus on inclusion and belonging, an active Wellness program and we support over 50 factories globally. Our objective is to provide ideas, technical innovation and scientific support (for product, process and technology) to continually improve and grow the confectionery business. Supporting our aim of being world class in how confectionery and healthy snacks are developed, manufactured and packaged.

It really is a place where creativity and practicality meet to turn fantastic concepts into exceptional industrialised products consumers will love.

Your impact

You will play a key role in delivering sensory insights that shape product development and consumer experience. You’ll design and execute sensory studies, ensuring high-quality, reliable results. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will contribute to data-driven decisions, support stakeholder alignment, and uphold sensory best practices. You will also help drive continuous improvement of tools and methodologies, while ensuring consistency, accuracy and excellence across all sensory evaluation activities.

• Deliver impactful, actionable sensory insights to support decision-making on I&R projects
• Lead end-to-end sensory studies, from design through to analysis, reporting and recommendations
• Advise and partner with R&D, NPTC and markets on selecting and applying sensory methodologies to answer business questions
• Drive continuous improvement in sensory tools, methods and ways of working, while building capability across the sensory network
• Build strong stakeholder relationships, ensuring clear communication, alignment and effective escalation when needed

Your ingredients for success 

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Sensory Science, Consumer Science, Food Science, Food Technology, Marketing Research or a related field
• Strong statistical understanding and data interpretation skills
• Experience of applying a range of sensory analysis techniques
• Experience managing sensory studies, panels or working with external sensory agencies
• Background within consumer-packaged goods (R&D or market-facing roles); broader business or operations exposure is beneficial
• Fluent in English and local language
• Proficient in MS Office and relevant sensory or statistical software

Be at the forefront of sensory science and product experience, turning data into impactful consumer insights and product decisions.

What you need to know

Advert posting date: 03/07/2026
Advert closing date: 17/07/2026 

We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.

At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect, and we believe that embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment allows everyone to reach their full potential and drives innovative thinking. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all gender identities, ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, parents, carers and members of the LGBT+ community. Please let us know if we can provide accommodations to ensure your full participation in the application process.

To find out more about Nestle’s commitment to DEI: Nestlé's Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace