Part-Time Taste Tester

Part-Time Taste Tester

Loughborough Part-Time No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team to taste and evaluate delicious snacks, providing feedback on flavor and texture.
  • Company: KP Snacks is a vibrant company creating your favorite snacks like Hula Hoops and McCoy's.
  • Benefits: Enjoy perks like a bonus scheme, health plans, holiday buy options, and discounts on various services.
  • Why this job: Be part of a fun, collaborative environment where your taste buds help shape innovative snack products.
  • Qualifications: No experience needed, just a passion for food and the ability to taste different flavors and textures.
  • Other info: Work 9 hours a week, Tuesday to Thursday, and enjoy being part of a diverse and inclusive team.

Part-time Taste Tester (known internally as a Sensory Panellist)

Ashby de la Zouch (home of Hula Hoops, Space Raiders and Popchips)
9 hours a week across 3 days (3 hours each) Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30am to 12:30pm

Salary: KP Living Wage

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!

We are looking for a passionate Sensory Panellist to join our Product Development team at KP Snacks. As a Sensory Panellist, you will play a crucial role in evaluating the taste, texture, and quality of our snack products to ensure they meet our high standards.

What’s in it for you?
We believe in giving back and making sure you’re happy and thriving. Here’s a taste of what we offer:

  • Bonus scheme – with an excellent track record of over-achievement

  • Annual salary review

  • Medicash health cash plan/Digital GP/Best Doctors (2nd Medical Opinion service) and cancer care

  • Company sick pay (eligibility criteria exist)

  • Holiday buy scheme

  • Electric Vehicle Scheme

  • KP4ME – online benefits, discounts, prizes, competitions and information platform with access to mental, physical and financial wellbeing information and tools

As a Sensory Panellist, what will you be doing?

  • Participate in sensory evaluation sessions to provide feedback on new and existing products

  • Use your senses to identify flavour profiles, textures, and overall product characteristics

  • Work closely with our product development team to help create delicious and innovative snack offerings

  • Participate in sensory training developing understanding of sensory language and terminology and key sensory testing methods

  • Engage in product testing of various snack and other food products, assessing their appearance, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel, and aftertaste.

  • Actively participate and collaborate in descriptive panel discussions describing product attributes, attribute definitions, use of scale and scale references.

  • Responsible for completely and accurately entering own product scoring data using specialist sensory software

  • Follow instructions on sample evaluation, use of scale and questionnaire completion given by the panel leader.

  • Participate in product and sensory related training, and successfully applying this learning to the sensory panel work

  • Fundamentally illustrating a genuine passion for food, the criticality of sensory perceptions and enjoy working within a highly candid, collaborative and communicative environment.

  • If you have a keen sense of taste, a love for snacks, and enjoy being part of a dynamic team, we would love to hear from you.

    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.

Who are we?

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.

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.

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.


The Candidate

  • Previous panel evaluation experience will be valued but is not essential

  • Good sensory acuity as measured through screening process

  • No allergies, dietary restrictions or medical conditions that may impede ability to evaluate snack products

  • Passion for food and snack products

  • Basic familiarity with IT desirable

  • Organisational and time management skills desirable

  • Good communicative and articulate skills, combined with great collaborative, relationship-building behaviours are expected

  • Must be comfortable eating large amounts of snack products

Part-Time Taste Tester employer: KP Snacks

At KP Snacks, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where your ideas are valued and your growth is celebrated. Located in Ashby de la Zouch, home to beloved snacks like Hula Hoops and Space Raiders, we provide our Sensory Panellists with competitive benefits, including a bonus scheme, health cash plan, and opportunities for personal development, all while working in a collaborative and inclusive environment that truly embraces diversity.
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Contact Detail:

KP Snacks Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Part-Time Taste Tester

✨Tip Number 1

Show your passion for snacks! When you apply, make sure to express your love for different snack products and your excitement about tasting and evaluating them. This enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarize yourself with sensory evaluation methods. Even if you don't have previous panel experience, understanding the basics of how sensory testing works can help you stand out during the interview process.

✨Tip Number 3

Highlight your communication skills. As a Sensory Panellist, you'll need to articulate your feedback clearly. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated in past roles or experiences.

✨Tip Number 4

Be ready to demonstrate your sensory acuity. During the screening process, you may be tested on your ability to distinguish between flavors and textures, so practice identifying different snack profiles beforehand.

We think you need these skills to ace Part-Time Taste Tester

Good Sensory Acuity
Passion for Food and Snacks
Ability to Distinguish Flavours and Textures
Basic IT Familiarity
Organisational Skills
Time Management Skills
Strong Communication Skills
Collaborative Teamwork
Attention to Detail
Ability to Provide Constructive Feedback
Descriptive Panel Discussion Participation
Understanding of Sensory Language and Terminology

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Snacks: In your application, make sure to express your genuine love for snacks and food. Highlight any experiences or hobbies that showcase your enthusiasm for tasting and evaluating different flavors and textures.

Highlight Relevant Skills: Even if you don't have previous panel evaluation experience, emphasize any skills that relate to sensory evaluation, such as attention to detail, good communication, and teamwork. Mention any relevant IT skills that could help in data entry and using sensory software.

Be Honest About Dietary Restrictions: Since the role involves tasting a variety of snack products, be upfront about any dietary restrictions or allergies you may have. This transparency is crucial for both your safety and the company's understanding of your capabilities.

Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Customize your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Sensory Panellist position. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand the role and are a good fit for the team.

How to prepare for a job interview at KP Snacks

✨Show Your Passion for Snacks

Make sure to express your genuine love for snacks and food during the interview. Share your favorite snack experiences and what makes them special to you. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and align with the company's culture.

✨Demonstrate Sensory Skills

Be prepared to discuss your sensory evaluation skills. If you have any previous experience, even if it's informal, share examples of how you've identified flavors or textures in food. This will show that you understand the importance of sensory perception in product development.

✨Engage in Collaborative Discussion

Since the role involves working closely with a team, be ready to showcase your collaborative skills. Think of examples where you've successfully worked in a team setting, especially in discussions or evaluations, and how you contributed to achieving a common goal.

✨Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare some insightful questions about the sensory evaluation process or the product development team. This shows your interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute effectively to the team at KP Snacks.

Part-Time Taste Tester
KP Snacks
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  • Part-Time Taste Tester

    Loughborough
    Part-Time

    Application deadline: 2027-03-16

  • K

    KP Snacks

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