Global Head of Sensory Client Managed Panels

Are you a senior sensory expert, commercially focused and looking for an exciting next step in your career?

Do you thrive in dynamic environments and enjoy delivering fantastic work, developing and growing teams, winning new contacts, and building great client relationships?

MMR is looking for a Global Head of Sensory Client-Managed Panels. This unique and exciting role will see you responsible for the sensory panels we manage for our clients’ sites around the world. This role involves the overall management of our existing Client-Managed Panel services operations and includes the remit to proactively seek out and secure new opportunities. It requires a detailed understanding of sensory panel work, combined with a strong client service and commercial focus.

MMR has built a great reputation and world-class capability in the sensory area. We are leading experts in our field, with panels in different markets, including the US, UK, Netherlands, India, China, and Singapore, with big plans to expand to other markets due to increasing demand.

We successfully manage sensory panel contracts for the world’s most famous FMCG brand. As part of this service, we typically set up (or take over), hire, train, and manage some or all of our clients’ sensory testing needs, and implement sensory solutions (i.e., methods, ways of working, panel performance systems, and KPIs) to fit each client’s individual requirements. We are not constrained by operating a specific type of descriptive analysis, running QDA and Spectrum style, as well as using a whole host of alternative sensory methods. We also have a lot of exciting sensory innovation on the horizon!

The continued growth of our in-house sensory operations, combined with increased demand from clients to outsource their sensory panel activities, means that we are looking for an experienced and driven sensory expert to capitalize on this successful part of our operations.

Global Head of Sensory Client Managed Panel services – key responsibilities:

• You’ll work closely with 2 senior regional Heads of Client Managed Panel services, supporting and mentoring them in continuing to ensure smooth day-to-day operations of clients’ panel partnerships plans and successful client relationships.
• Develop sensory talents and promote career progression for our sensory teams on client sites.
• Ensuring the development and implementation of continuous panel development programs, and ensuring adequate resourcing, including staff coverage and building a pipeline of candidates.
• Overviewing all associated administrative and financial tasks, e.g., task orders/SOWs, invoicing, contract drafting and renewal, tracking additional costs, using clients system as required.
• Ensure successful client relationships, including managing any global client partnerships, and supporting the regional leads with regular partnership reviews focused on continuously improving and adapting our sensory services and delivery.
• Ensure we meet contracted KPIs and SOPs on all sensory managed panel services, including panel performance tracking and other key metrics.
• Promote sensory method innovation and efficiencies across client companies and challenge clients to ensure they’re able to benefit from a best-in-world sensory service.
• Coordinate collaboration with MMR’s central support teams to ensure we continue to improve our services to best fit our clients changing needs, including:
• Working very closely with our HR, Training and Development, recruitment teams to attract, recruit, onboard, train and retain the best sensory talents to service our clients.
• Data science, operations, and efficiency teams to adapt our tools and systems to continually improve our services.
• Lead the sales and marketing effort, driving demand both within existing clients (expanding out) and finding new clients.
• Working closely with global and local sensory directors, Global client partners and Account Directors, commercial and marketing teams to generate interest and grow revenue.
• Identify and push opportunities to upsell other sensory and consumer research services to contract clients, helping grow the client relationship beyond the sensory managed panels.

Requirements:

• Sensory management experience is essential, with a sound knowledge of a wide range of sensory methods.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a proven track record in managing successful client relationships.
• Experience in business development.
• Good people management and mentoring skills.
• Critical thinking skills and solution-focused attitude with a creative flair.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multi-task, whilst working effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work both independently and to collaborate with others.

The role reports into MMR’s Global Sensory Director, whilst working closely with our local Sensory Science Center Heads, as part of the MMR Sensory Leadership Team.

The successful candidate will be working within a great environment with an excellent infrastructure in place to support this role.

Whilst our preference would be for the role to be Europe based, we will consider applications from people based anywhere in the world.

We’ve placed passion, honesty, curiosity, positivity and commercial orientation at the center of our corporate values – do they fit what you’re looking for in your next career move? If so, you will flourish in MMR’s environment, with the autonomy to express yourself and the tools to really connect with clients.

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