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 online perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team shaping the future of snacking while having fun!
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just a keen sense of taste and teamwork skills.
- Other info: Full training provided; we celebrate diversity and welcome all applicants!
Join our snack-loving team! We are looking for a Sensory Panellist to join our team at KP Snacks. As a Sensory Panellist, 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.
What’s in it for you?
- 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.
- KP Pension Plan - contribution matching up to 7% of your salary.
- 25 days holiday + holiday buy scheme (pro-rated for part time).
- KP4ME - online benefits, discounts, prizes, competitions and information platform with access to mental, physical and financial wellbeing information and tools.
What will you be doing?
- Participate actively in product testing, assessing sensory attributes with precision.
- Embrace the exciting challenge of helping develop new snack products and improve existing ones.
- Collaborate closely with fellow panellists in discussions to describe product characteristics.
- Provide accurate, reliable data that supports business decisions and impacts product success.
- 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. 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.
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.
Who are we?
We are KP Snacks, proud to be part of the Intersnack family. We believe in speaking our minds, celebrating our differences, and pushing boundaries together. 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!
We’d love to hear from you if you can demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and experience:
- A keen sense of taste and smell, helping ensure the best snack quality for our consumers.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills that contribute to collaborative testing sessions.
- No specific experience required – transferable skills from food, hospitality, or similar settings are valued.
- A willingness to work in line with KP values, including teamwork, respect, and integrity.
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 KP Snacks' product range, especially the snacks mentioned in the job description like Hula Hoops and Space Raiders. This knowledge will not only help you during the sensory screening session but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice describing flavours and textures of different snacks or foods you enjoy. Being able to articulate your sensory experiences clearly will be crucial during the testing sessions and can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the snack community online, whether through forums or social media. Sharing your thoughts on various snacks can enhance your understanding of consumer preferences and trends, which is valuable for a Sensory Panellist.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your teamwork and communication skills during the screening process. Think of examples from past experiences where you collaborated effectively, as this role heavily relies on working closely with others.
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 taste, aroma, and texture, as well as participating in product testing.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight any relevant experience or skills that relate to food tasting, sensory evaluation, or teamwork. Even if you don't have direct experience, showcase transferable skills from previous roles in food, hospitality, or customer service.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to express your passion for snacks and your keen sense of taste and smell. Mention why you want to work at KP Snacks and how you can contribute to their innovative R&D function.
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 articulating your thoughts on flavour and texture to provide clear feedback during the session.
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 how it aligns with your personal interests.
✨Demonstrate Your Sensory Skills
Since the role involves tasting and assessing snacks, be prepared to discuss your ability to distinguish between different flavours and textures. You might even want to share any experiences where you've had to use your taste or smell in a professional or personal context.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
Highlight your teamwork and communication skills, as these are crucial for collaborating with fellow panellists. Share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams before, especially in food or hospitality settings.
✨Be Open About Your Learning Mindset
Since full training is provided, it's important to convey your willingness to learn and grow in the role. Discuss any past experiences where you've embraced new challenges and how you adapt to learning opportunities.