Lead Consumer Technical Insights Innovation Scientist

Lead Sensory Innovation Scientist position at Mars in Slough/ Paddington, United Kingdom. Salary: £62,500 - £76,000, annual bonus, car allowance, benefits. Shape the Future of Snacks & Treats – Join Us as a Lead Sensory Innovation Scientist. We’re seeking a Lead Sensory Innovation Scientist to join our Consumer Technical Insights team and help transform consumer insights into unforgettable product experiences. In this role, you’ll sit at the intersection of R&D, Marketing, and Innovation, ensuring that every product—whether gum, fruity treats, chocolates, or iconic brands like Bounty, Milky Way, Maltesers, and our regional specialties—delivers consistent high-quality experience to consumers across EMEA.

The Lead Sensory Innovation Scientist is a trusted partner to cross-functional partners, ensuring products are created and manufactured consistently, while embracing new ideas and market-driven innovations. With deep expertise in sensory science, consumer insights and the FMCG/snacks industry, you will guide the translation of data into insights that lead to meaningful, consumer-centric solutions that shape the future of our categories.

• Design, lead, and analyze sensory and consumer research to deliver actionable insights, decisional and diagnostic.
• Partner with product developers to ensure consistent delivery of high quality experience while enabling innovation, cost optimization, regulatory challenges etc.
• Guide claims development and validation to support storytelling and product superiority.
• Anticipate consumer trends, cultural shifts, and market needs across EU to inspire future innovation.
• Mentor and coach colleagues, building sensory and consumer-centric mindset and capabilities across the business.
• Collaborate with R&D, Product Developers and Marketing global and regional teams to deliver project needs and influence strategy.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Psychology, Statistics, or related field (Master’s preferred), or equivalent experience.
• Industry expertise:
  Proven background in the FMCG (ideally food/snacks) industry with strong sensory science and consumer research experience.
• Technical skills:
  Solid scientific expertise, advanced data analysis, and ability to translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Leadership/Strategic Influencing:
  Strong communication and storytelling skills to engage and inspire cross-functional partners at any level.
• Mindset:
  Creative problem-solver, adaptable, nimble, thrives in ambiguity and is not afraid to bring a clear POV (even if not great news).

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company, striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.
• Industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.

Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here.