Director, Sensory Science

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Innovation
• Define and execute a holistic sensory and consumer science strategy that fuels innovation, renovation, and productivity across the enterprise.
• Champion a consumer ‑ obsessed mindset, ensuring sensory insights shape long ‑ term product roadmaps, packaging innovation, and modernization initiatives.
• Drive breakthrough innovation by integrating emerging technologies (AI/ML analytics, digital olfaction, automation, rapid sensory tools) into the sensory ecosystem.
• Tactical Execution of Sensory Science
• Lead the design, execution, and interpretation of sensory and consumer research, ensuring methodological rigor and business relevance.
• Oversee sensory panel operations, including recruitment, training, calibration, and performance management.
• Responsible for managing all external sensory testing and consulting relationship.
• Ensure the team delivers high ‑ quality, timely, and actionable insights that influence decisions across product development, quality, and marketing.
• Translate complex sensory data into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with technical and non ‑ technical stakeholders.
• Build and embed agile sensory tools that accelerate development cycles and improve decision quality.
• Methodology, Standards & Capability Building
• Advance sensory methodologies, data analytics, and product/packaging standards to ensure world ‑ class capabilities.
• Establish and continuously refine sensory KPIs, quality thresholds, and evaluation frameworks that drive consistency and speed.
• Lead the development of training programs for internal teams, cross ‑ functional partners, and external collaborators to elevate sensory literacy across the organization.
• Ensure sensory standards and tools are embedded in the organization.
• Collaboration & External Engagement
• Build and sustain a global network of universities, research institutes, and industry leaders to bring cutting ‑ edge science and best practices into the organization.
• Serve as a senior expert in customer engagements and strategic presentations.
• Influence at all levels of the organization with strong communication, storytelling, and cross ‑ functional leadership skills.
• Partnership with Quality Assurance Sensory Programs
• Partner with Quality leadership and ensure QA sensory programs are aligned with R&D sensory standards
• Provide strategic and technical guidance to QA teams responsible for onsite sensory screening and product release evaluations.
• Support the development of recognition and reward programs that reinforce excellence in sensory execution and product stewardship.
• Project & Resource Management
• Prioritize and guide key initiatives across innovation, renovation, quality, and productivity pipelines.
• Manage budgets, staffing, and external resources to maximize impact and ROI.
• Ensure disciplined project management, clear communication, and timely delivery of sensory workstreams.
• skills/qualifications required:
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Sensory Science, Food Science, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in applied sensory and sensory strategy in food and beverage. Dairy experience preferred.
• 5+ years leading sensory strategy, teams, and cross ‑ functional influence at scale.
• Proven expertise in sensory insights, experimental design, and translating data into business ‑ shaping recommendations.
• Sensory panel management experience requi

Benefits

Additional Information

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers. With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife's portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk ; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™ , a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation. To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com . job purpose : The Director of Sensory & Consumer Science is a visionary and hands ‑ on leader responsible for shaping the future of product experience across the portfolio. This role sets the long ‑ term sensory strategy, drives innovation through advanced methodologies, and ensures flawless tactical execution of sensory research and training programs. In addition to leading the Sensory & Consumer Science function, this role works closely with Quality Assurance sensory programs, ensuring robust product screening and staff capability building. Reporting to the VP of R&D, the Director Sensory partners closely within R&D and with Marketing, Consumer Insights, Quality, and Commercial teams, as well as external academic and industry partners, to translate consumer perception into competitive advantage and deliver superior product experiences.

Your Match

How well this role fits your profile.

Company Intel

What employees say

Worked at fairlife? Share your experience