At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting consumer research projects and mentor a dynamic team of researchers.
- Company: Join a global leader in sensory and consumer research with a fun, creative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to work with top industry experts.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product testing and help brands create memorable experiences.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in consumer research, strong leadership skills, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Company Description
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. SAM is a great place to work. 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.
Best in class
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. We're proud to be part of the Eurofins Group, a world-leader in Testing for Life. With about 61,000 employees, Eurofins is a global leader in testing services and over the last 20 years has been one of the fastest growing companies in the world, thanks to its innovation in technology and service.
Job Description
Your responsibilities:
- Reporting to a Research Director, an Associate Research Director oversees various accounts and multiple projects and brings technical expertise to the research team, while developing a team of Research Managers.
- Account:
- Responsible for 3-4 FMCG product testing Accounts: client retention, client delight and Account growth
- Ensure revenue targets for assigned accounts are achieved
- Develop proactive plans to address risks and capitalize on opportunities within accounts
- Oversee timely, accurate, and high-quality project delivery for Account team
- Projects:
- Lead the development and delivery of complex proposals and tenders
- Bring technical expertise and ensure the use of best-practice methodologies
- Deliver complex regional and global projects: play active role in project management, reporting and holistic delivery of projects
- Provide strategic, story-led recommendations based on client feedback, market trends, and project performance
- Ensure project execution aligns with client objectives and broader business priorities
- Team:
- Line manage 2-3 Research Managers
- Manage workload allocation and resource planning for the team
- Ensure Research Managers 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
Qualifications
- Minimum 3 years in consumer research and/or sensory research
- FMCG product testing experience: practical experience of core product testing methodologies: i.e. HUTs, CLTs, IDIs
- Significant experience in quantitative consumer research methodologies
- Minimum foundational understanding of qual research: when to recommend qual/bring in qual experts from within SAM
- Significant experience in a Research manager role
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
- Proficiency in MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc
- Strong leadership abilities to manage teams and oversee large-scale research initiatives
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills
- Rigorous, responsive and proactive
Associate Research Director- Sensory and Consumer Science in Reading employer: Eurofins Sensory, Market Research and Product Design
Eurofins Sensory, Market Research and Product Design is an exceptional employer located in Crawley, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities and the chance to lead impactful research projects within a diverse team, making it a rewarding environment for those passionate about FMCG insights.
Contact Details:
Eurofins Sensory, Market Research and Product Design Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Research Director- Sensory and Consumer Science in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested in what we do, and come armed with questions that demonstrate your knowledge of sensory and consumer science.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with our needs. Keep it concise but impactful – we love hearing about your achievements!
✨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, it shows us you’re serious about joining our awesome team.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Research Director- Sensory and Consumer Science in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your experience in consumer and sensory research. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on those relevant projects you've worked on!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your application for this specific role. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we’re looking for and how you fit into our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your skills and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
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’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Eurofins Sensory, Market Research and Product Design
✨Know Your Research Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of core product testing methodologies like HUTs, CLTs, and IDIs. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, as well as when you might recommend qualitative research. This will show that you understand the technical aspects of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Associate Research Director, you'll be managing a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, including any coaching or mentoring experiences. Highlight your ability to allocate resources effectively and ensure high-quality outputs from your team.
✨Prepare for Client-Focused Discussions
Since client retention and delight are key responsibilities, think about how you've built relationships with clients in previous roles. Be ready to share specific strategies you've used to address client needs and how you've contributed to account growth.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills are crucial for this position. Consider preparing a brief presentation on a relevant topic in sensory or consumer research. This will not only demonstrate your expertise but also give you a chance to showcase your communication style during the interview.
