Short Intro and About the Job

Danone North America is seeking an experienced, impact-driven individual to join our Research & Innovation organization as Manager, Sensory Design & Future Capability. This role plays a critical part in driving consumer centricity by translating insights into clear, actionable product experiences.

You will lead advanced category learning, define scalable sensory design guidance, and embed foresight into innovation strategies-helping teams make better decisions today while building capabilities for the future. This role requires strong strategic thinking, technical depth, and the ability to influence across functions and levels.

Key Responsibilities

As a key member of our team, you will play an important role in driving our mission forward. The following responsibilities outline the core expectations and contributions for this position:

Category & Consumer Understanding

• Lead advanced category learning to identify drivers of liking, preference structures, and consumer decision journeys
• Lead competitive understanding from sensory lens
• Translate complex data into clear, compelling guidance for strategic decision-making

Scalable Sensory Design

• Create and standardize sensory and experience design playbook used across innovation and renovation pipelines in key categories
• Leverage large internal data sets to uncover new insights, patterns, and strategic implications
• Champion data-driven, consumer-centered ways of working

Capability Building

• Pioneer / Adopt new capabilities like AI in day-to-day work
• Partner with global team in piloting new capabilities in North America.

Leadership & Influence

• Act as a trusted thought partner to R&I, SIA and Marketing and global UX teams
• Influence without authority to align stakeholders around shared consumer and product truths

What Success Looks Like

• Recognized as a go-to expert in sensory strategy and category drivers of liking
• Scalable sensory design guidance adopted across multiple categories
• Existing data assets unlocked for greater strategic value

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• This role is primarily performed in a standard office setting and requires the ability to remain in a stationary position (e.g., seated or standing) for extended periods.
• The employee may be exposed to moderate noise levels from office equipment and conversations.

The salary range for this position is $115,000-165,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options. To give our employees flexibility, Danone is a hybrid work environment.

This role is considered a "hybrid" position that allows for flexible work, meaning it is a role where collaboration with key stakeholders in Danone Hubs occurs. While you may have the option to work from home on a schedule as agreed to with your supervisor, you are also expected to regularly report to your assigned office location at least 3 days per week.

About You

The ideal candidates will bring a combination of education, experience, and skills that enable them to excel in this position. The following qualifications outline what we're looking for, including both required and preferred criteria:

Education & Experience

• Master's degree required (PhD preferred) in Sensory Science, Consumer Science, Food Science, Market Research, Psychology, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in consumer research and/or sensory science within CPG or an adjacent industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading preference mapping, drivers of liking, and advanced consumer insight work.
• Proven ability to operate at both strategic and executional levels with increasing scope and influence.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Deep expertise across quantitative modeling, qualitative insight, and sensory evaluation methodologies.
• Strong capability in data mining, synthesis, and translation of large, complex datasets into strategic guidance.
• Excellent storytelling and communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Creative yet rigorous thinker who balances scientific depth with practical business impact.
• Demonstrated leadership mindset with the ambition and capability to grow into broader enterprise leadership.