Scientist, Operations Labs, Technical Consumer Data Research

Job Description Summary:

The Scientist role in Technical Consumer Data Research (TCDR) reports to theEMEASenior Director, TCDR, and is primarily a lab-based position responsible for leading internal sensory operations andleading business-critical projects across theEMEAOperating Unit. The role plays a key part in delivering high-quality sensory and consumer data to enable product, packaging, and equipment development aligned with productivity, renovation, and innovation priorities. 

As an individual contributor, the TCDR Scientist designs, manages, and executes sensory and consumer research within internal sensory lab environments and externalpartner, ensuring rigorous study preparation, execution, and analysis. The role supports cross-functional business projects by generating reliable data, actionable insights, and clear recommendations tailored to Operating Unit needs. 

Working closely with the broader TCDR team and business partners, the Scientist contributes to local innovation initiatives by applying human-centric design principles and integrating consumer understanding into development processes. This includes building product and category knowledge, uncovering consumer preferences, and translating insights into guidance that strengthens the innovation pipeline and ensures market-relevant, consumer-preferred solutions. 

Organizationally, TCDR sits within the Innovation, Technology & Strategy function, enabling strong integration of sensory and consumer insights into strategic decision-making and reinforcing the role’s impact on delivering competitive, market-leading offerings. 

FunctionalRelated Activities / Key Responsibilities 

• Manage and lead all internal Sensory laboratory operations to include laboratory,and personnel such aspanels, contractors, technicians, interns, asappropriate. 

• Maintain laboratory to highest standard and lead required annual audits successfully. 

• Conduct and manage laboratory-based experiments, ensuringaccurate data collection, adherence to protocols, andtimely delivery of high-quality results to support research and businessobjectives for the OU requirements.  

• Design, execute and conduct sensory & consumer research studies to meet specific projectobjectivesgaining valuable sensory insights and providing guidance to the development team and Business partner. Manage all phases of the study including experimental design, test execution, statistical analyses and reporting of the results,aligned with OU TCDR leader.  

• Provide recommendations on business solutions based on strong technical consumer research.  

• Conduct competitor benchmarking and Product/Packaging/Equipment evaluation to understand the competitive landscape insupport of OU categoriesand brands. 

• Understand and define fundamental consumer/sensory requirements of your categories and inject the knowledge into solution development. 

• Be curious,proactivelyleverage external knowledge (supplier, symposium, literature review) toidentify &prove alternativebeneficial future forwardmethods (AIassisted), aligned with TCDR global category leader. 

• Work as a close partner with the R&D categories team, Marketing andHuman Insight team.  

• Work with minimal guidance and in close collaboration with project leaders. 

DataAnalytics & Synthesis 

• Perform analysis and interpret test results; form conclusions on studies conducted.Prepare and present technicalconclusion. 

• Knowledge and intermediatelevelusage of Statistical software (SPSS,SAS, JMP,etc.), Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Project, Word.   

• Harness evolving technologies and data analytics to develop tools and solutions that bolster competitiveadvantage and deliver market-leading results. 

• Bring theoutside in, remain current with relevant scientific literature from external resources.  

TechnicalRisk Management 

• Skilled inidentifying and assessing technical risks, mitigate risks, and implementing proactive measures to ensure project continuity and system integrity. 

BusinessUnderstanding& SystemKnowledge 

• System Thinking, ability to listen to and influence those in less technical roles to act and invest in capabilities with compelling business cases. 

TechnicalCommunication& DataStorytelling 

• Translate strategic visions into actionable plans, using knowledge of current business processes and best practices. 

• Prepare and present technical conclusions to technical and non-technical audiences. 

Influencing& StakeholderManagement  

• Function as a key business partner by effectively managing and nurturing internal and external relationships, including collaboration with research suppliers, academic institutions, and cross-functional project teams, to supportresearch initiatives. 

Qualifications & Requirements:   

• Educational Requirement: Batchelor Science Degree BScorMSc/ PhD from an accredited University in Food or Sensory Science, Engineering,BehavioralPsychology, or related field, andtechnical mastery of Sensory, Consumer, Applied Statistics, to include science, methodologies, frameworks, and approaches. 

• Work Related Experience:4+ years of experience withinFMCGBeverage/Food Industry with proven relevant experience in Sensory and Consumer research and data,working in a FMCGorganizationwithPD,Marketing and Human Insight,ability totranslate data results into businessrecommendations.Operational Sensory laboratoryexperience inpreferred.  

Desired Skills and Competencies: 

Human-Centered Design: Design a research plan to address key questions for a specificproject.  

• Sensory Science & Consumer Science 

• Social & behavior science 

• Research Design Principles for qualitative and quantitativeresearch. 

• Foundations of technicalriskmanagement 

• User experience 

Technical Communication:Simplify complex information in a concise format that isappropriate for the audience. 

• Analyze and communicate research in a fit for purposeformat. 

• Technical Communicationand Storytelling with data 

• Data Engineering, databasedevelopment &understanding 

Data Analytics & Synthesis of Structured and Unstructured data. 

• Excellent statistics and data analysis skills. 

• Knowledge of AI and Machine Learning principles,demonstrating an eagerness to deepen understanding and apply these technologies effectively. 

• Understand and work in data management tools andproficiency in visualization (PowerBI or other) 

Business Partnerships: Work with multiple functions to execute project work (R&D, Marketing,HI, etc.)  

• Serves as a trusted advisor, offering insights into relevant markets, business strategies, and operating environments to support informed decision-making across the organization and among individual team members. 

• Cultivate strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders by providing valuable market analysis and strategic guidance to enhance business operations and drive organizational success. 

Skills:

Location(s):

City/Cities:

Travel Required:

Relocation Provided:

Job Posting End Date:

Our Purpose and Growth Culture:

We are taking deliberate action to nurture an inclusive culture that is grounded in our company purpose, to refresh the world and make a difference. We act with a growth mindset, take an expansive approach to what’s possible and believe in continuous learning to improve our business and ourselves. We focus on four key behaviors – curious, empowered, inclusive and agile – and value how we work as much as what we achieve. We believe that our culture is one of the reasonsour company continues to thrive after 130+ years. VisitOur Purpose and Vision to learn more about these behaviors and how youcan bring them to life in your next role at Coca-Cola.