Global Sensory & Consumer Research Specialist

Location: Leuven, Belgium

Introduction

Do you dream big and look to the future rather than the past? At our organization, one of the world's leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and beverage companies, we believe that your ideas have the power to transform not only your career but also our global business. Located at our Global Innovation & Technology Center (GITEC) in Leuven, we are looking for a forward-thinking Global Sensory & Consumer Research Specialist. In this role, you will be at the heart of innovation, translating deep consumer insights into the future product portfolio of a integral market leader. If you are ready to take ownership, drive impactful change, and help us create a successful future – the opportunity is here. Make it yours!

Job Summary

As a Global Sensory & Consumer Research Specialist, you will join the Global Sensory and Consumer Science group. Your primary mission is to draft and execute strategic consumer learning plans for both commercial and technical platforms. By mapping out the perfect combination of product design and research methodologies, you will ensure successful product innovations and renovations across 6 geographical zones worldwide (North America, Middle America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia Pacific). You bridge the gap between consumer data and technical execution.

Key Responsibilities

- Research & Execution: Draft and execute comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research plans covering product testing, claims testing, MVP evaluations, prototype tasting, and concept refinement.
- Agency & Team Management: Brief and supervise external research agencies.



Coordinate and lead internal teams, including data scientists, throughout the analysis, reporting, and debriefing phases.
- Insight Generation: Transform complex research results into clear, actionable consumer insights and simple business recommendations.
- Competitive Intelligence: Lead competitive intelligence programs across our top 12 global markets, tracking product and portfolio performance against the competition.
- Strategic Growth: Validate category expansion strategies and taste segments per market to identify new business opportunities.
- Knowledge Sharing: Consolidate global insights and patterns to maximize synergies and accelerate the replication of innovation projects.
- Mentorship & Networking: Manage trainees, train regional specialists on specialized toolkits, and actively develop an external network across Sensory, Psychology, Data Science, and Behavior sciences.

Profile Requirements

- Education: Master’s degree or PhD in Consumer Behavior, Psychology, Food Science, Physiology, Nutrition, Applied Statistics, or Data Science.
- Experience: Minimum 5–7 years of professional experience in Sensory & Consumer Science or Consumer Research.
- Languages: Full professional fluency in English (written and spoken).



Knowledge of additional languages is a strong asset.
- Technical Skills: Strong organizational skills with a pragmatic mindset. Experience with data collection and analytics software (e.g., EyeQuestion, Fizz, Compusense, or XLSTAT) is a major plus.
- Communication: Ability to streamline complex data into a compelling story, presenting clear options that balance costs, time, and quality.

Our Offer

What we offer you as a consultant:

- Competitive gross salary with a 13th month and double holiday pay
- Monthly net allowance
- Meal vouchers & eco vouchers
- Choice between a company car with a fuel/charging card (SalSa plan) or mileage reimbursement for using your own car
- Hospitalization insurance from day 1 + optional outpatient insurance (incl. dental care)
- Group insurance (pension savings)
- Cafeteria plan (Flex Income Plan)
- 4 weeks of statutory holiday + 12 ADV days + seniority leave
- Possibility to work from home (depending on the project)
- Benefits at Work discount platform
- Referral bonus when you recommend a new colleague
- Personal follow-up via an account manager, HR/L&D; support, and access to training, learning tools, and certifications
- Networking events and internal activities to stay connected with colleagues and the organization

Prefer to work as a freelance consultant?

- We pay your invoices on time and correctly (30 days)
- Our team of recruiters and account managers is closely involved in your career and follows you up
- Towards the end of your project, we proactively look for your next assignment

Ready to shape the future of consumer science? Apply today!

📌 Global sensory & consumer research specialist (España)
🏢 Randstad
📍 España