Sensory Scientist II

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow by Building a Smokeless World.

To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for a Sensory Scientist II in Southampton What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?  This role is responsible for leading the Sensory capability within new categories and FMC.Uphold Panel Maintenance activities related to sensorial panels, ensuring they are operating at a high level and fully adhering to all internal processes required.

The role involves leading, planning, and directing sensory activities required for the execution of Product Development and/or Innovations Projects.

This role is responsible to ensure the quality of sensory response data and its interpretation in the context of project objectives.

Ensure that sensory best practises are implemented, maintained, and globally aligned.

Provide guidance and consultancy to the technical community to establish and embed robust ways of working.

Issue recommendations to collaborators based on aggregation and interpretation of sensory data and in-depth understanding of project objectives through close collaboration with Project Teams.

Inspire change management and understanding of sensory within the sphere of influence.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Maintain expert knowledge in sensory evaluation, panel maintenance, and sensory guidelines across all product categories.  Ensure the quality, robustness, and consistency of sensory methodologies, results, and panel performance.

AcAct as the primary sensory contact for panels, category leads, and collaborators, providing technical mentorship and consultancy.  liver actionable recommendations based on sensory data analysis and close collaboration with project teams to support business objectives.

Lead and manage day-to-day sensory operations, ensuring delivery against agreed priorities and alignment with the PR, S&PCI strategy.

Drive continuous improvement across sensory methodologies, digital tools, facilities, and ways of working, promoting innovative solutions within the function.

Apply project management and data-driven approaches to generate actionable sensory insights while supporting workload prioritisation and agile delivery.

Develop and complete strategic plans, manage budgets and resource utilisation, and continuously improve team capabilities through collaboration, training, and external best-practice adoption.  What are we looking for? Degree-qualified in a scientific field. Proven experience in a product-related role or sensory science within food, flavour, or related industries. Supported by a solid understanding of product development.  Strong sensory science expertise, including sensory methodologies, claim substantiation, regulatory testing, and the use of sensory data collection systems such as Compusense, Fizz, or similar platforms.

Deep knowledge of sensory science and various approaches for descriptive (DQA, Spectrum), discriminative testing (DUO-Trio, Triangle, Tetrad), temporal (TDS, DTI), Ranking and CATA for product characterization.

Understanding the stats behind these tests, their application, and limitations

Proficiency in sensory data analysis software (XLSTAT, R)
ANOVASignificance test (Tukey, Fisher)
Correlation testsPCA (Principal Component Analysis)
MFA (Multi Factor Analysis)
Demonstrated expertise in sensory panel management, including panel recruitment, training, validation, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement.  Ability to analyse and communicate sensory results effectively, translating complex findings into clear, client-focused insights and recommendations.

Good understanding of product composition, manufacture, design, and evaluation, with awareness of consumer, commercial, and regulatory requirements.

Excellent customer management and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams, build strong internal and external relationships, and demonstrate resilience, adaptability,…