Group Sensory Manager

BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. 
To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for a GROUP SENSORY MANAGER in Southampton

What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?   

• This is a new role to strengthen our sensory capabilities within new categories & FMC.  
• This leadership role will be focused on understanding the needs of the R&D developers and directing a group of skilled Sensory Scientists to create and manage a portfolio of sensory and consumer insight projects, designed to provide technical insight to identify sensory drivers of product performance and drivers of positive consumer perception.   
• This will involve developing an expert capability focused on techniques and methods to characterise the sensory experience of all products with active ingredients (beyond nicotine) and other innovative products across categories.   
• Through the application of sensory and consumer technical insights, methodologies, digital and scientific principles this role ensures that new sensory insight is delivered to the business to broaden the enjoyment of next generation nicotine products and other products and drive a positive experience for our consumers and ultimately, commercial success for BAT.    
• Uphold Panel Maintenance activities related to sensorial panels, ensuring they are operating at a high level and fully adhering to all internal processes required. 

What is the direct impact of this role on the team or organisation?  

• This is an integral part of the leadership team in sensory and will support the vision, mission and strategy for the department. 
• Working across R&D and marketing functions, this role is pivotal in understanding the sensory and competitor benefits of the R&D funnel and how these innovations perform vs our current and competitor products. 

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Develop and evolve the methodology toolbox for our next generation products and FMC products, actively seeking out and assessing methodologies which bring innovation and identify unique technical insights and differentiating multi-sensory experiences which drive consumer preferences for our products. 
• COE best practise delivery and implementation across the categories and teams to drive the vision, mission, and strategy and effectively partner with stakeholders ensuring work is in line with the strategic priorities of the business, emphasising the sensory, digital and technical consumer insight requirements within the product area. 
• Provide the business with actionable product and technical consumer understanding and recommendations at category and project level and apply expert knowledge in sensory science to implement new technologies and ways of working, providing training in technical skills and innovative methodologies. 
• Leading complex multistage programmes, liaising with internal stakeholders and responsible for leveraging external partnerships to provide the business with actionable sensory insights. 
• Expertise and best practice Initiator and lead representative for Sensory Science methodology development, interacting with stakeholders and cross functional teams to drive the capability advancement. 
• Foster an environment of forward thinking, digitisation and entrepreneurial spirit promoting and integrating ways of working within the Sensory Science teams. 
• Ensure accurate budget management forecasting and tracking for development activities within the assigned responsibilities/projects in the team. 
• Plan, execute and report a pipeline of activities for the progression of method developments to deliver world class sensory capabilities and ensure on time and in full delivery of sensory science methodology development against plans.  
• Drive change management and understanding of Sensory within sphere of influence to develop a consumer centric culture in line with the global sensory ambition. 
• Enhance own and team’s capabilities by attending relevant training/conferences to ensure state of the art expertise and act as key representative in technical discussions and planning with external partners in method development. 

What are we looking for?

Experience Required

• Sensory and technical consumer science experience, preferably within FMCG area and R&D function. 
• Experience of managing multiple projects across multiple panels to deliver insights to a broad range of stakeholders. 
• Knowledge and experience of multiple product formats (tobacco, vaping, edibles, drinks and beyond) would be an advantage. 
• Planning and implementation skills; ability to influence key stakeholders up to senior level. 
• Ability to manage multiple portfolios and projects. 

Technical / Functional / Leadership Skills Required 

• Provide leadership, direction, implementing transformational sensory and technical consumer methods to provide the business with actionable sensory insights and understanding. 
• Actively promote expertise and best practice within the business to develop a sensory consumer centric culture in line with the global sensory ambition. 
• Effectively manage knowledge, promote cross-functional communication, digital data and sensory and build effective relationships both internally and externally. 

Education / Professional Qualifications / Certifications Required 

• Degree in sensory/consumer sciences and equivalent. 

BENEFICIAL

• Experience working with commercial stakeholders or with partnerships. 
• Experience in Digital and Data Science (Multivariate analysis, Programming in R Statistics). 
• Project Management Experience. 

What we offer you?

• We offer a market leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility)
• Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work-life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives.
• Your journey with us isn't limited by boundaries; it's propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become a part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn't just a statement – it's a reality we're eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here.
• You'll have access to online learning platforms and personalized growth programs to nurture your leadership skills.
• We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.

WHY JOIN BAT?
We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions.

At BAT, we champion collaboration, inclusion, and partnership as the bedrock of our values. We wish to foster an environment where every individual can thrive, irrespective of factors such as gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio-economic and professional background, as well as diverse perspectives and thinking styles. We recognise that our strength lies in embracing talent from all walks of life, empowering us to develop our culture of inclusivity and better achieve our business objectives.

We view career breaks not as obstacles but as opportunities and encourage everyone, without hesitation, to apply. Through our Global Returners program, we provide support to professionals seeking to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence, be it for family care, parental leave, national service, sabbatical, or starting their own venture.
Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award winning employee experience here.

We take pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process to support you performing at your best, please inform the recruitment partner who will be in touch should your profile be selected for the role you applied for. We are wholeheartedly committed to optimising your prospects of success by making suitable arrangements so that you may showcase your full potential.