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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Your key missions:

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 & leadership

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• Define and own the global sensory and technical insights strategy, driving capability development, scientific excellence and business impact across innovation, renovation and quality

  
  

• Shape portfolio decisions by identifying sensory whitespace opportunities, product superiority drivers and emerging consumer preferences

  
  

• Monitor emerging scientific developments and translate them into competitive advantage

  
  

• Drive the development of novel sensory methodologies, predictive approaches and insight-generation techniques

  
  

• Build external scientific networks with universities, research institutes and industry bodies

  
  

• Establish sensory science as a core capability supporting product innovation, quality improvement and competitive benchmarking

  
  

• Ensure sensory methodologies are fit-for-purpose, scientifically robust and relevant to business decision-making

  
  

• Build a clear vision for how sensory and technical insights contribute to consumer preference, product superiority, premiumisation and brand differentiation

  
  

• Contribute to long-term product and technology roadmaps across categories

  
  

Product & technical insights

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• Lead the generation of technical product insights across spirits categories – whisky, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, liqueurs, aperitifs and low/no alcohol products

  
  

• Translate sensory and analytical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for R&D, marketing, quality, operations and brand teams

  
  

• Support the identification of key product drivers, sensory attributes, flavour profiles and technical levers influencing consumer perception and product performance

  
  

• Connect sensory data with analytical chemistry, processing, maturation, packaging and consumer research to build a holistic understanding of product experience

  
  

• Provide sensory and technical guidance throughout the innovation process, from early concept screening to final product validation

  
  

• Ensure product changes are assessed with appropriate sensory and technical risk evaluation

  
  

• Help protect brand consistency and consumer trust by ensuring sensory-critical attributes are understood, monitored and controlled

  
  

Sensory data

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• Drive the adoption of a digital sensory platform, advanced analytics, AI-enabled insight generation and predictive modelling approaches

  
  

• Ensure data quality, governance, accessibility and knowledge management across sensory activities globally

  
  

• Drive the integration of sensory, analytical, consumer, quality and product data to generate deeper technical understanding

  
  

• Define and oversee the development of sensory data models, product landscapes and insight platforms

  
  

• Champion the use of digital tools, sensory software, databases and data visualisation to improve knowledge management and decision-making

  
  

• Translate complex scientific and sensory information into clear narratives for technical and non-technical stakeholders

  
  

Capability building

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• Build and lead a global sensory and technical insights community of practice, aligning methodologies, capability development and knowledge sharing across sites, brands and business units

  
  

• Lead the development, training, calibration and performance management of sensory panels, including expert, descriptive, discrimination and quality panels

  
  

• Define standards for sensory panel gov