Senior Research Scientist - Product Experience - Manawatu - 10605 - Fonterra

Job Name

Senior Research Scientist - Product Experience

General Information

Date Published

13-Nov-2024

Advertising Ends

27-Nov-2024

Country

New Zealand

Location

Manawatu

Role Type

Science & Technology

Work Type

Permanent

ID#

10605

Position Description

Our Co-operative

Fonterra’s strength is in the collective | Te Mātāpuna toa takitini

We are a Co-operative created and owned by Aotearoa New Zealand dairy farmers. Since our beginnings, collaboration, innovation, and passion have enabled us to share the goodness of our dairy with the world. We're committed to caring for the land, our animals, and every drop of milk, producing nutritious food with safe, quality ingredients loved here in New Zealand and around the world.

As part of the Fonterra Co-op, you'll be solving for a better future alongside a team connected by solid values as we strive to be a leader in dairy sustainability, dairy innovation and science, with a focus on New Zealand milk.

When you join Fonterra, you'll open yourself to a career of opportunities where you can grow with us by developing your skills, sharing your knowledge, and exploring diverse career paths that ignite your passions.

About Us| He kupu mō mātou

At our Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North, we know the smallest things can make a difference, so we research and develop products that last longer, stretch further, work faster, waste less, withstand more and taste better. Bringing together world class dairy products and the deep expertise of our people we work alongside the passionate, talented and innovative food professionals who are driving dairy industry and innovation.

About the opportunity | Te whiwhinga mahi

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Scientist to join our Product Experience Sciences Team at our Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North on permanent basis.

As our Senior Research Scientist, your primary focus is to enhance the Product Experience team’s capabilities in experimental psychology. This involves deepening our understanding of how sensory information is processed and the contribution of various sensory cues to the overall product experience. You will lead sensory and consumer research workstreams across New Product Development (NPD), New Technology Development (NTD), and breakthrough innovation projects.

This role offers the opportunity to maximize the value of insights gained from our investments in sensory and consumer research therefore achieving a better understanding of cognitive processes such as attention, memory, and decision-making, as well as how emotional responses influence consumer behavior.

Key responsibilities include:

Lead Product Experiment Sciences workstreams in global innovation projects. Design, execute, and oversee consumer research from inception to conclusion, ensuring high-quality data collection and analysis.
Promote and communicate the importance of understanding the product experience in B2B and foodservice environment, ensuring stakeholders sees the full value of product experience insights to support informed business decisions and enhance interactions with key customers.
Work in cross-functional and diverse teams to incorporate insights about the product experience into product innovations and business strategies.
Engage with stakeholders with different backgrounds and seniority. Be comfortable and impactful presenting research findings and insights and providing expert guidance on perceptual and behavioral psychology-related matters.
Guide and train junior researchers, team members and students, enhancing their understanding of consumer behavior and introducing novel research methodologies and data analyses.
Keep up to date with the latest trends and advancements in experimental psychology and sensory science, as well as an interest in exploring how generative AI tools can improve research practices.

About you | Ko wai koe

With a background in sensory and consumer science and/or experimental psychology, you’ll apply your expertise in methodologies and experimental design within these fields. Actively engaging with stakeholders and leveraging strong communication skills to interact effectively with diverse audiences.

This role presents an excellent opportunity to demonstrate leadership abilities and collaborate to shape the future of R&D at Fonterra. It encompasses strategic thinking, promoting innovation, driving growth, and fostering active staff involvement while establishing trust.

To be successful in this role you will need:

Master’s degree or PhD in Experimental Psychology, Sensory Science, Food Science, or a related field
5 years’ experience within industry or academic research, preferably in a global company. Experience in Dairy would be beneficial
Hands-on commercial experience in the sensory and consumer science space
Experience in new product development and demonstrating thought leadership
Strong data analytics capability
Ability to manage complexity and ambiguity whilst you work independently
Strong technical directorship, excellent communication skills, coupled with strong collaboration and stakeholder abilities

Take advantage of this exciting and opportunity to grow your career and make a significant impact in Fonterra's Strategic and Innovation goals.

Our story | To Tatou Korero

Being part of Fonterra means being part of a unique history, realising the potential of dairy for generations to come, and solving for a better future together.
Whanaungatanga, our Co-operative spirit, guides a common strength and purpose
Manaakitanga is how we care for all our people at the heart of what we do
Kaitiakitanga ensures we care for the land, farming in a way that regenerates our farms and environment for future generations
Whakaohooho inspires us all with excellent career development opportunities, benefits, flexibility, and balance to suit everyone's lifestyles and choices

Our Co-operative is a place where everyone can be themselves, feel empowered to do their best, and are empowered to create goodness for generations.

Sound good to you? Come join our whānau and let’s solve for better, together. You, me, us together. Tᾱtou tᾱtou.

Applications will close at midnight on Wednesday, 27th of November.

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