Descriptive Sensory Senior Specialist (m/f/d)

The Role

Are you passionate about sensory science, methodology development, and driving innovation in a business-focused environment? Join our Sensory & Consumer Science team in Hamburg as a Descriptive Sensory Senior Specialist, where you will play a key role in shaping and improving sensory panel operations across multiple product categories. Working closely with Panel Trainers, researchers, and cross-functional stakeholders, you will help develop new sensory methods, optimise processes, and ensure high-quality data and panel performance. This is an exciting opportunity to combine scientific expertise with practical business impact in a collaborative and internationally connected environment. 

Principle Accountabilities

• Develop and enhance descriptive sensory methodologies, frameworks, and panel procedures 
• Monitor sensory data quality through panel calibration, KPI tracking, and continuous improvement initiatives 

• Lead the implementation of new sensory tools, software solutions, and testing methodologies 

• Support the development and optimisation of questionnaires, rapid tests, and sensory evaluation techniques 

• Coordinate panel-related activities including training support, onboarding processes, SOP maintenance, and engagement initiatives
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Panel Trainers, IT, Sensometrics, and Sample Preparation to ensure effective sensory operations 

Skills and Experience Required

• Strong experience with descriptive sensory methodologies and sensory panel operations 
• Ability to analyse, interpret, and apply sensory data to support decision-making and process improvements 

• Experience implementing or improving sensory tools, systems, or methodologies 

• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills 

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and build relationships across teams
• Fluent English language skills with a collaborative, adaptable, and solution-oriented approach 

What We Offer

In return for playing your part in building our future, you will receive a comprehensive compensation package with salary, bonus scheme and further benefits as well inspiring places to work and collaborate with purpose. Here at Imperial we will give you the opportunity to grow and learn, innovate at pace and be a part of our purpose to forge a path to a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at recruitment@impbrands.com to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

About Us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all.  Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

As a matter of policy, Imperial Tobacco or its subsidiaries never requests or requires payment as part of any recruitment process.