Sensory Scientist I in Southampton

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey!

British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for a Sensory Scientist I in Southampton.

Key objectives and expectations from this role:

• Responsible for all Sensory and Panel activities and ensure delivery is on time and in full.
• Maintain sensorial panels at a high operational standard, fully follows internal processes.
• Manage, plan, and direct sensory activities supporting Product Development and Innovation projects.
• Maintain expertise across all aspects of sensory evaluation for PRRP products and FMC.
• Accountable for sensory data quality and long-term panel sustainability.
• Ensure sensory procedures are implemented, maintained, and globally aligned.
• Provide mentorship and consultancy to the technical community to embed robust approaches to working.
• Deliver clear recommendations to collaborators through aggregation and interpretation of sensory data, aligned to project objectives.
• Implement change management and promote sensory understanding within the sphere of influence.
• Support Regional Sensory Panel activities to ensure timely, high-quality delivery in compliance with internal processes.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Manage day-to-day Sensory activities, ensuring alignment to COE strategy, priorities, and procedures.
• Uphold the quality of sensory results, methodologies, and consistent procedure across all panels.
• Continuously identify and propose improvements across sensory methodologies, digital tools, facilities, and ways of working.
• Partner with sensory colleagues and the wider business to coordinate testing activities and generate robust sensory insights.
• Communicate and disseminate insights effectively to key collaborators and the global sensory network.
• Apply project management rigor and digital data to deliver actionable sensory insights for FMC and new categories.
• Collaborate closely with Product Development, DRBU, and End Markets to deliver timely and relevant product insights.
• Enable prioritisation, agility, and effective resource management, including forecasting, planning, and spend tracking in line with financial controls.

What are we looking for?

• Professional/academic achievement in Life Sciences, marketing, or a related science at BSc level.
• Expert in sensory methodology, best practice, and all elements of reporting on sensory results.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders cross functionally and communicate in clear and simple terms.
• Effectively manage knowledge, promote cross-functional communication, and build effective relationships both internally and externally.

Experience Required:

• Set up a sensory panel, organised and delivered an annual sensory insights program in line with business needs.
• Provided consultancy to ensure in-depth understanding of project objectives through close collaboration with various project teams in order to complete the accurate sensory approaches.
• Collaborated in actual and virtual teams for the completion of projects.

Beneficial:

• Experience in Digital and Data Science (Multivariate analysis, Programming in R Statistics).
• Experience in sensory science.

What we offer you?

• Market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility).
• Diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives.
• Access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills.
• Continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.

Why join BAT?

We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions. Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals.

We see career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an own venture). Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.