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Description
MMR is an independent, global consumer and sensory research agency specialising in food, drink, personal and household care research. This means that when you join us, you’ll have the chance to work with well-known brands to help create, shape and develop products and packs.
We’re global leaders, guiding innovation for our clients – partnering with over 50% of the top 100 global food and drink brands. Our head office is in a beautiful 18th century barn in Wallingford - a picturesque village in between Oxford and Reading. We also have offices in London, New York, Shanghai, Singapore, Mumbai, Bangkok, Sao Paulo, the Netherlands, Cali and Durban.
Our team of over 520 highly engaged, multi-disciplined employees are primarily dynamic research professionals, sensory experts and data scientists. We’re a diverse bunch, with backgrounds in R&D, insight, marketing, sensory science, data sciences and psychology.
The successful individual will support the Sensory Panel Director, ensuring the smooth running of the panel sessions, and assisting in their day-to-day management. You will develop the necessary skills to lead panel sessions, to create, proposals, write client reports efficiently, and become a proficient Panel Leader. The role is based in our Sensory Science Centre, on the Reading University Campus, at our head office in Wallingford and also working from home. Full training will be provided.
This role provides a unique opportunity to develop the skills to become a professional and skilled panel leader whilst working on a which range or products and innovate sensory methodologies.
The role involves
On the job training to run our Reading University based sensory panels - helping to run panel sessions in the office or at home as you learn the skills required to lead the panel independently. This includes moderating, performance tracking and creating descriptive language glossaries
Working with MMR’s global sensory team to utilise expert and optimise sensory research. Our global sensory team consists of 30+ sensory scientist who work closely together to provide support and training to help maximise the potential of our team members
Running recruitment screening sessions, making up screening solutions/products, screening and interviewing, and helping train new panelists to the required standards
Assisting in the management of the panels schedule, ensuring that the results are delivered in a timely manner to clients
Assisting in sample preparation and ensuring the products are evaluated according to strict protocols. As your knowledge and skills develop you will the lead in this element of the role
Working with the team to create @hand (data capture) files and ensuring their accuracy
Taking responsibility for the daily running of the Sensory Panels to ensure the ultimate objective of meeting the clients’ requirements
Working with the team to create engaging proposals (from timing, cost and design) and reports for clients in Excel and PowerPoint
Ensuring that all activities carried out comply with basic food hygiene standards in order to work safely within the laboratory. Basic food hygiene training will be provided
As your skills develop you will have the opportunity to work with panels in other UK locations providing cover for our sensory panel leaders. This could include virtual panel leading for some of MMR’s panels based around the globe
With MMR’s focus on developing new and better research methods and sophisticated analysis techniques, there's the opportunity to gain experience of several novel and exciting approaches to conducting research and interpreting data.
Requirements
This is a fast paced role and you will need to be organised with strong time management skills as you will work a variety of projects at a time.
You will be
- A strong team player –able to maintain open and honest relationships colleagues building trust and confidence. You will need to be able to work well both independently and as part of a team
- A self-starter who likes to take initiatives and demonstrates flexibility in a dynamic environment (including flexibility in time worked)
- A self-manager - able to switch between tasks according to business needs, coping with changing priorities and keeping UK sensory team members informed of possible issues. Your exceptional organizational and time management skills and ability to multi-task will enable you to both prioritize your own workload and implement effective administrative processes.
- In possession of excellent interpersonal and communication skills (fluent in written / spoken English is critical)
You will have
- A real passion for working in sensory research
- Logical, analytical mind
- Natural passion for seeking out the most effective and efficient ways of working and being prepared to speak up about your ideas
- Great attention to detail – should be able to check own work and others’ work for inconsistencies and take the necessary action to rectify any errors/problems
- An aptitude for food preparation with limited supervision needed
- A level of computer literacy – be competent in Word, Excel and email. Training will be given in the relevant software packages
- A Bachelor’s degree, ideally in a relevant field, such as Food Science, Sensory Science, Experimental Psychology and Sociology
- Ideally you'll have some experience of working with expert trained sensory panels or have moderated qualitative groups
Benefits
MMR offers an open, diverse and non-hierarchical environment, where bespoke MMR Academy training is offered at every level. We also offer exciting secondment opportunities at our other global locations, as well as a selection of fantastic employee benefits.
MMR Research Worldwide is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
