At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver sensory insights and lead studies to shape product development.
- Company: Join Nestlé's innovative team in York, a leader in confectionery R&D.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, flexible working, and paid volunteering days.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team focused on inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on iconic brands and accelerate your career in sensory science.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree in relevant fields and experience in sensory analysis required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
Position Overview
Business Area: Nestle Production Technology Centre – Associate Sensory Specialist
Type: 12-month FTC, 4 days a week
Location: York
Salary: £30,000 – £35,000, depending on experience and qualifications
Benefits:
- Generous pension scheme – up to 12% contribution from Nestlé
- 9 flexible days on top of 25-day holiday entitlement
- 2 paid volunteering days
Although this is a 0.75 opportunity, please speak to us about what flexibility means to you as we are always open to discuss individual’s flexible working.
Why This Role Matters For Your Development
This is a unique opportunity to work on some of our most iconic brands, gaining exposure to global confectionery projects and cross‑functional stakeholders. You will build visibility within the wider R&D and Product Technology network, strengthening your ability to influence decisions and accelerate your career in sensory and product experience.
As a Sensory Specialist, you will provide critical data‑driven insights to guide product and ingredient decisions, using best‑practice methodologies and robust data analysis to steer I&R projects. You will take ownership of prioritising work to deliver against business timelines, translating complex sensory data into clear, actionable recommendations for stakeholders.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver impactful, actionable sensory insights to support decision‑making on I&R projects
- Lead end‑to‑end sensory studies, from design through to analysis, reporting and recommendations
- Advise and partner with R&D, NPTC and markets on selecting and applying sensory methodologies to answer business questions
- Drive continuous improvement in sensory tools, methods and ways of working, while building capability across the sensory network
- Build strong stakeholder relationships, ensuring clear communication, alignment and effective escalation when needed
You will play a key role in delivering sensory insights that shape product development and consumer experience. You’ll design and execute sensory studies, ensuring high‑quality, reliable results. Working closely with cross‑functional teams, you will contribute to data‑driven decisions, support stakeholder alignment and uphold sensory best practices. You will also help drive continuous improvement of tools and methodologies, while ensuring consistency, accuracy and excellence across all sensory evaluation activities.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Sensory Science, Consumer Science, Food Science, Food Technology, Marketing Research or a related field
- Strong statistical understanding and data interpretation skills
- Experience of applying a range of sensory analysis techniques
- Experience managing sensory studies, panels or working with external sensory agencies
- Background within consumer‑packaged goods (R&D or market‑facing roles); broader business or operations exposure is beneficial
- Fluent in English and local language
- Proficient in MS Office and relevant sensory or statistical software
Company Culture & Inclusion
We take pride in championing inclusion and diversity. We proudly signed the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter, are committed to Disability Confidence, and have been recognised as a Times Top 50 Employer for gender equality for three consecutive years. Additionally, we are a headline partner of Diversity and Inclusion in grocery.
About NPTC Confectionery & Snacking York
NPTC Confectionery & Snacking York is Nestlé’s leading centre for Confectionery & Snacking Research & Development worldwide, working in partnership with 4 development centres in Chile, China, Singapore and Ivory Coast. In York we are a team of 170 amazing people from over 30 nationalities and a variety of academia. We have a real focus on inclusion and belonging, an active Wellness program and we support over 50 factories globally. Our objective is to provide ideas, technical innovation and scientific support (for product, process and technology) to continually improve and grow the confectionery business. Supporting our aim of being world class in how confectionery and healthy snacks are developed, manufactured and packaged. It really is a place where creativity and practicality meet to turn fantastic concepts into exceptional industrialised products consumers will love.
Career Impact
Be at the forefront of sensory science and product experience, turning data into impactful consumer insights and product decisions.
Sensory Associate Specialist employer: Nestlé
Nestlé in the UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while having access to extensive growth opportunities in the rapidly evolving field of digital commerce. Joining Nestlé means being part of a forward-thinking team that values data-driven decision-making and empowers its members to make a meaningful impact on the business.
