Sensory Qualitative Associate Director

Department: Sensory Qualitative Research

Location: MMR Research Oxford

Description

We are currently looking for a dynamic Innovation professional to be based in the UK to run Qualitative Sensory Research on exciting client innovation projects.

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.

For this role we can have someone based out of our Oxfordshire or London office, reporting to the Head of Sensory Qualitative Research.



Key Responsibilities

Within this role you will be working on all the portfolio of Sensory Qual methodologies we have developed at MMR for the last 15 years to help support 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.

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!

Designing ideal product and pack briefs to fit an idea, concept and positioning (being innovation or renovation)
Understanding sensorially active characteristics during the consumption journey
Developing the complete guardrails for innovation alongside our qual and brand consultant colleagues.
Working across all MMR existing client teams and new ones too
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
We conduct research all over the world with a mix of in-person and online approaches with opportunities to travel when appropriate.
Business development to grow our client base

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

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 selling and running client projects that could be based in UK/ Europe but also collaborating and potentially leading global projects too.

We conduct research all over the world with a mix of in-person and online approaches with opportunities to travel when appropriate. For this role, you will be based in the UK and would need to be fluent in English. Other languages are of course preferable to allow for moderation in different countries. Many projects will involve travel to different countries to manage fieldwork and projects.

• Energy and enthusiasm and willingness to get stuck in
• Strong passion for sensory research and innovation in fmcg / cpg sectors
• Strong communication skills (fluent in written / spoken English is essential)
• 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
• Love to collaborate and work as a team, but can work independently too
• Ability to write engaging story led presentations and present with gravitas.
• Generally curious, not afraid to ask questions, to understand the ‘why’ behind strategic client challenges as well as general trends and consumer shifts
• Able to apply creative problem solving to develop out of the box solutions and strategic thinking
• An understanding of the NPD and innovation process is not compulsory but is valued, to be able to empathise with client needs
  
  

Benefits

MMR is the place where sensory science meets exciting, powerful commercial application, from branding and innovation to product development and retail strategy. We partner with over 50% of the top 100 global food and drink brands.

We were founded on the belief that successful products, those that really deliver on their brand promise, are built from the perfect blend of sensory science and consumer insight. We help clients to achieve this, right across the globe with offices in London New York, Shanghai and everywhere in between.

It’s our people that make all of this possible.

We are proud of our collaborative culture which is driven by strong leadership and offers industry-leading training and growth opportunities.
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. Competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and market-leading training opportunities are standard here. Our vibrant culture, talented team, and focus on employee wellbeing is what makes MMR so special.