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Sensory Panel Leader
Location: Southampton, Hampshire
Salary: Competitive (DOE)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: Permanent
About the Role
Synergy is recruiting an experienced Sensory Panel Leader to oversee the day-to-day operation, development, and performance of our Trained Sensory Panels, based at a client site in Southampton. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a passion for sensory science to take ownership of high-quality research delivery while leading and developing a dedicated panel team. As Sensory Panel Leader, you'll be responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering sensory research studies to the highest quality standards, ensuring the panel consistently produces accurate, reliable, and actionable insights. Working closely with the departmental management team, you'll provide leadership, coaching, and ongoing development to panellists, building capability, engagement, and performance across the team.
What You'll Be Doing
- Coordinating and executing sensory studies, ensuring activities are planned, compliant, and delivered on time
- Leading sensory panel sessions and guiding panellists in line with established methodologies and best practice
- Managing study preparation, including sample handling, scheduling, documentation, and readiness reviews
- Delivering panellist recruitment, onboarding, and training programmes
- Providing line management for the trained sensory panel, supporting engagement, attendance, development, wellbeing, and performance
- Monitoring panellist performance and data quality, coordinating refresher training where needed
- Maintaining accurate documentation, attendance records, and study trackers
- Driving continuous improvement across sensory capabilities, processes, and training programmes
- Collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders and the wider sensory network
- Upholding health, safety, quality, and compliance standards, including ISO 9001
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What We're Looking For
Essential:
- Understanding of scientific testing principles and robust data generation
- Experience coordinating projects or operational activities with multiple stakeholders
- Strong organisational, time management, and project coordination skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across all levels
- Strong attention to detail and record-keeping discipline
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Experience with data collection or reporting systems
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Understanding of governance, compliance, and health & safety in a regulated environment
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Desirable:
- Knowledge of sensory testing methodologies and panel training principles
- Laboratory experience (academic, placement, or professional)
- Experience with trained sensory panels or sensory research programmes
- Experience in panellist recruitment, onboarding, and training
- Familiarity with sensory software platforms (e.g. Compusense)
- Data processing, analysis, or programming experience
- Experience producing and presenting data-driven reports
- Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems
- Experience in regulated industries (tobacco, nicotine, FMCG, pharmaceutical, consumer products, etc.)
- Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement qualifications
- Experience across multiple product categories and cross-functional teams
Why Join Us?
This is a permanent role offering the chance to lead a skilled sensory panel, shape training and development practices, and play a key role in delivering high-quality research that informs real business decisions.
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