Global Head of Sensory and Technical Insights

Want to join a fast-moving company, work among convivial teams, and take part in the global growth strategy of one of the most prestigious and comprehensive portfolios in the wine & spirits industry? We are looking for a Global Head of Sensory and Technical Insights You will be based at The Island, our office in central Paris.
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Reporting to the Global Research, Sensory and Analytical Sciences Director, you will lead the development and application of sensory science, technical product understanding and consumer-relevant insights to support innovation, product quality, reformulations and strategic decision-making across our spirits portfolio. As the bridge between consumer understanding, sensory perception, analytical data, product development, quality and brand strategy, you will make sure product decisions are grounded in robust science and translated into meaningful business outcomes – building the capabilities, best practices, expert teams and panels that unlock growth.
Sensory strategy & leadershipDefine and own the global sensory and technical insights strategy, driving capability development, scientific excellence and business impact across innovation, renovation and qualityShape portfolio decisions by identifying sensory whitespace opportunities, product superiority drivers and emerging consumer preferencesMonitor emerging scientific developments and translate them into competitive advantageDrive the development of novel sensory methodologies, predictive approaches and insight-generation techniquesBuild external scientific networks with universities, research institutes and industry bodiesEstablish sensory science as a core capability supporting product innovation, quality improvement and competitive benchmarkingEnsure sensory methodologies are fit-for-purpose, scientifically robust and relevant to business decision-makingBuild a clear vision for how sensory and technical insights contribute to consumer preference, product superiority, premiumisation and brand differentiationContribute to long-term product and technology roadmaps across categoriesProduct & technical insightsLead the generation of technical product insights across spirits categories – whisky, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, liqueurs, aperitifs and low/no alcohol productsTranslate sensory and analytical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for R&D, marketing, quality, operations and brand teamsSupport the identification of key product drivers, sensory attributes, flavour profiles and technical levers influencing consumer perception and product performanceConnect sensory data with analytical chemistry, processing, maturation, packaging and consumer research to build a holistic understanding of product experienceProvide sensory and technical guidance throughout the innovation process, from early concept screening to final product validationEnsure product changes are assessed with appropriate sensory and technical risk evaluationHelp protect brand consistency and consumer trust by ensuring sensory-critical attributes are understood, monitored and controlledSensory dataDrive the adoption of a digital sensory platform, advanced analytics, AI-enabled insight generation and predictive modelling approachesEnsure data quality, governance, accessibility and knowledge management across sensory activities globallyDrive the integration of sensory, analytical, consumer, quality and product data to generate deeper technical understandingDefine and oversee the development of sensory data models, product landscapes and insight platformsChampion the use of digital tools, sensory software, databases and data visualisation to improve knowledge management and decision-makingTranslate complex scientific and sensory information into clear narratives for technical and non-technical stakeholdersCapability buildingBuild and lead a global sensory and technical insights community of practice, aligning methodologies, capability development and knowledge sharing across sites, brands and business unitsLead the development, training, calibration and performance management of sensory panels, including expert, descriptive, discrimination and quality panelsDefine standards for sensory panel governance, panel reliability, data quality and continuous improvementEnsure consistent application of sensory methodologies across sites, markets and categoriesBuild internal capability through training, coaching, tools and best-practice sharingCollaborationPartner with R&D, brand, marketing, consumer insights and quality teams to support new product development and reformulation projectsAct as the company’s leading expert in sensory and technical insights, influencing strategic decisions at senior leadership levelRepresent sensory and technical insights in executive reviews, innovation governance forums and strategic portfolio discussionsDefine and govern global sensory standards for product quality and brand consistencyProvide sensory expertise for quality inv