At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Taste Tester, assessing snacks for flavour, texture, and aroma.
- Company: KP Snacks is part of Intersnack, creating your favourite snacks like Hula Hoops and McCoy's.
- Benefits: Enjoy healthcare support, a pension plan, 25 days holiday, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a fun team, influence snack development, and grow your sensory skills.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just a passion for snacks and a keen sense of taste.
- Other info: Work 9 hours a week, Tuesday to Thursday, in a supportive and diverse environment.
Part-Time Taste Tester (known internally as Sensory Panellist) Â
Ashby de la Zouch (Home of Hula Hoops, Space Raiders, Nik Naks and more)Â
9 hours a week across 3 days (3 hours each) Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30am to 12:30pm
Salary:Â KP Living Wage
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Join our snack-loving team! We\’re looking for a Sensory Panellist to join our team at KP Snacks. Fancy being part of a group where your ideas matter and your growth is celebrated? Keep reading – this might just be your next adventure!Â
As a Sensory Panellist at KP Snacks, you will play a key part in shaping the future of snacking. Using your senses of taste and smell, you will help guide the development and improvement of our products. Working closely with a supportive team, you will assess snacks for appearance, flavour, aroma, texture, and more. Your input will support decisions on new recipes, shelf life, and quality. You will receive full training and be encouraged to build your sensory knowledge while making a meaningful contribution to our innovative R&D function. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a welcoming and passionate team at KP Snacks.
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What’s in it for you? Â
We believe in giving back and making sure you\’re happy and thriving. Here\’s a taste of what we offer:Â
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Comprehensive Healthcare Support – Access to a Medicash Health Cash Plan, including a Digital GP service, Best Doctors (Second Medical Opinion Service), and specialist Cancer Care for peace of mind when you need it most.
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KP Pension Plan – contribution matching up to 7% of your salary
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25 days holiday + holiday buy scheme (pro-ratad for part time)
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KP4ME – online benefits, discounts, prizes, competitions and information platform with access to mental, physical and financial wellbeing information and toolsÂ
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What will you be doing?Â
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Participate actively in product testing, assessing sensory attributes with precision
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Embrace the exciting challenge of helping develop new snack products and improve existing ones
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Collaborate closely with fellow panellists in discussions to describe product characteristics
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Provide accurate, reliable data that supports business decisions and impacts product success
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Take part in sensory training and apply learning to enhance your expertise
Please be advised that as a sensory panellist the essential functions of your position will be to taste products made with ingredients that include, but are not limited to, nuts, dairy products, wheat products, sugar, soy, eggs, meats and salt. In addition, it is essential that sensory panellists are able to distinguish between different flavours and textures. Applicants with food allergies, medical conditions or other oral conditions that may be exacerbated by the ingestion and chewing of certain foods are encouraged to check with their medical provider about whether this type of position is safe for them and if they will be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Shortlisted candidates will first be invited to complete a screening questionnaire. If selected, you will then be invited to attend a sensory screening session at our Sensory Lab in Ashby.
These sessions will last up to 90 minutes and involve tasting a range of food samples and providing feedback using computer-based questionnaires.
Screening sessions are planned for:
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1:00 PM, Tuesday 15 July
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1:00 PM, Wednesday 16 July
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1:00 PM, Thursday 17 July
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1:00 PM, Tuesday 22 July
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1:00 PM, Wednesday 23 July
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1:00 PM, Thursday 24 July
Who are we? Â
Glad you asked! We\’re KP Snacks, proud to be part of the Intersnack family. Picture this: over 15,000 of us, spread across more than 30 countries, all working together to create the snacks you love. From Hula Hoops to McCoy\’s, we\’re the team behind your favourite munchies.Â
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Here in the UK, we\’re about 2,400 strong, spread across seven factories and our Slough HQ. But don\’t let our size fool you – we\’re as close-knit as they come. We believe in speaking our minds, celebrating our differences, and pushing boundaries together.Â
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Diversity isn\’t just a buzzword for us. We\’re on a mission to create a workplace where everyone belongs. So, even if you don\’t tick every box, we want to hear from you! Your unique perspective could be just what we need. Also, if there\’s anything we can do to make this process easier for you, just give us a shout.Â
We’d love to hear from you if you can demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and experience:Â
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A keen sense of taste and smell, helping ensure the best snack quality for our consumers
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Strong teamwork and communication skills that contribute to collaborative testing sessions
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No specific experience required – transferable skills from food, hospitality, or similar settings are valued
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We welcome applications even if not all desirable criteria are met – full training is provided
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A willingness to work in line with KP values, including teamwork, respect, and integrity
#LI-SC1 #LI-ONSITE
Part-Time Taste Tester employer: KP Snacks
Contact Detail:
KP Snacks Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Part-Time Taste Tester
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the types of snacks produced by KP Snacks, like Hula Hoops and Space Raiders. Understanding their flavour profiles and textures can help you articulate your feedback during the sensory screening session.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice describing different flavours and textures in everyday foods. This will enhance your ability to provide precise feedback during product testing, which is crucial for a Sensory Panellist role.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with others who have experience in food tasting or sensory analysis. They can offer insights into what to expect during the screening sessions and how to effectively communicate your sensory evaluations.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your teamwork and communication skills during the interview process. Highlight any relevant experiences where you've collaborated with others, as this is key to succeeding in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Part-Time Taste Tester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Sensory Panellist. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks such as assessing snacks for appearance, flavour, aroma, and texture.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your keen sense of taste and smell, as well as any teamwork and communication skills. Even if you don't have direct experience, mention transferable skills from food or hospitality settings.
Craft a Personal Statement: Write a personal statement that reflects your passion for snacks and your enthusiasm for contributing to product development. Share why you want to be part of KP Snacks and how you can add value to their team.
Prepare for Screening: If shortlisted, be ready for the sensory screening session. Familiarise yourself with the types of products you may be tasting and practice providing feedback on flavours and textures to ensure you're prepared.
How to prepare for a job interview at KP Snacks
✨Show Your Passion for Snacks
Make sure to express your love for snacks during the interview. Talk about your favourite snacks and why you enjoy them. This will show your enthusiasm for the role and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Sensory Skills
Be prepared to discuss your ability to distinguish between different flavours and textures. You might even want to practice describing various snacks beforehand, as this will showcase your sensory awareness and attention to detail.
✨Highlight Teamwork Experience
Since the role involves collaborating with fellow panellists, share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams before. Emphasise your communication skills and how you contribute to group discussions.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask the interviewers about the company culture, training opportunities, or the product development process. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if it's the right fit for you.