At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead key accounts and drive innovative solutions in sensory and consumer research.
- Company: Join a global leader in sensory and consumer research with a fun, creative team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a diverse work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and mentorship.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the FMCG sector while collaborating with top professionals.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in FMCG product testing and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
We are the leading international sensory and consumer research company specializing in food, beverages, cosmetics, personal care, and other consumer products. We have 19 proprietary state-of-the-art facilities across France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, United Kingdom, Morocco, China and the USA, and cover more than 65 countries through our network of approved partners. SAM provides tailor‑made solutions, delivering actionable guidelines to make our clients’ brands and products memorable.
Join SAM to work with the most competent, creative, and fun team in the industry and let your work, opinions and ideas contribute to the future of sensory and consumer research. Become your most extraordinary self with support and development throughout your career. Join our very diverse team of sensory scientists, food technologists, statisticians, psychologists, sociologists, strategic thinkers, marketeers, field managers, technicians and other sensory and research experienced colleagues.
Client Service Director/Senior Research Director is responsible and accountable for key accounts in the cluster, as well as holding joint responsibilities for the strategic, resourcing and financial planning for the business.
- Commercial and Strategic
- Positively and proactively feed into the strategic direction of the business, with a focus on FMCG consumer and sensory product testing.
- Engage with clients to understand needs, both unmet and emerging.
- Innovate and ideate: proactively develop and deliver commercially viable (ideally scalable) methodologies/solutions/tech to market.
- Work with senior team to ensure finances are accurately tracked, recorded and reported.
- Proactively look for new business and business development opportunities.
- Engage with broader industry to ensure understanding of sector trends: feed back to the business (AI, emerging trends etc).
- Team
- Collaborate across departments and clusters to enhance internal synergy and client value; foster a ‘one SAM’ mentality and delivery style.
- Work within senior team to resource fairly and sustainably across business and within direct team.
- Line manage a senior team of ~6 researchers.
- Ensure team members receive appropriate coaching and training.
- Mentor team members in research skills, leadership, and career development.
- Ensure outputs from team members meet the expected standards of quality and insight.
- Accounts
- Serve as the primary contact for key accounts.
- Lead client relationships and ensure consistent communication across project lifecycles.
- Drive business development and identify growth opportunities.
- Develop and implement long‑term strategic plans aligned with company objectives.
- Ensure accounts meet revenue targets and maintain profitability.
- Support pricing strategies and contract negotiations.
- Act as visible ‘point of escalation’ on smaller accounts.
- Demonstrate and role‑model engaging, inspirational and pro‑active with clients: showcase ‘trusted partner’ framework.
- Projects
- Provide guidance on complex proposals, tenders, and client presentations.
- Ensure alignment of project execution with strategic goals.
- Supervise research teams to ensure timely, high-quality project delivery.
- Support on strategic recommendations and story‑led reporting.
- Manage team resources and budgets effectively.
- Hold teams accountable to accurate reporting and tracking of commercials on each project.
- Hands‑on involvement in specialist/high profile/strategically significant projects.
- Requirements
- Minimum 10 years in the industry.
- Significant FMCG product testing experience: practical experience of core product testing methodologies (HUTs, CLTs, IDIs).
- Solid understanding of qualitative research: minimum requirement is knowing when to recommend qualitative research or bring in experts from within SAM.
- Able to deliver powerful project and strategic recommendations in story‑led formats.
- Strong commercial acumen: planning, predicting, tracking and reporting of financials.
- Hold teams accountable to high standards for holistic client service.
- Strong leadership abilities to manage teams and oversee large‑scale research initiatives.
- Excellent organisational and problem‑solving skills.
- Rigorous, responsive and proactive.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Client Services Director in Reading employer: Eurofins QTA Inc.
At SAM, we pride ourselves on being a world leader in sensory and consumer research, offering an exceptional work environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our diverse team of experts is dedicated to your professional growth, providing ample opportunities for mentorship and development while working on innovative projects that shape the future of consumer products. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to employee well-being, joining us means becoming part of a dynamic and supportive culture where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Client Services Director in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, recent projects, and industry trends. We want to see you shine and show how you can contribute to our innovative team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Client Services Director role. We love hearing about your past successes and how they can translate into future wins for us.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate candidates who are eager to join our diverse team.
We think you need these skills to ace Client Services Director in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Client Services Director role. Highlight your experience in FMCG product testing and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about sensory and consumer research. Share specific examples of how you've driven business development or led successful projects in the past.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since excellent communication is key for this role, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear, concise language and structure your documents well. We want to see your ability to convey ideas effectively right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our fantastic team at SAM!
How to prepare for a job interview at Eurofins QTA Inc.
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of FMCG product testing methodologies. Be ready to discuss specific techniques like HUTs, CLTs, and IDIs, as well as how they apply to sensory and consumer research. This shows you're not just familiar with the industry but also passionate about it.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Client Services Director, you'll be managing a team of researchers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on coaching, mentoring, and achieving high standards. Highlight any experiences where you fostered collaboration and synergy across departments.
✨Engage with the Company’s Vision
Familiarise yourself with the company's strategic goals and recent innovations in sensory research. During the interview, express how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of delivering actionable guidelines for clients. This demonstrates your commitment to their success.
✨Prepare for Client Scenarios
Think of potential client scenarios you might face in this role. Be ready to discuss how you would handle client relationships, drive business development, and manage project lifecycles. Showing that you can think on your feet and provide solutions will set you apart from other candidates.
