Sensory Panel Lead

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

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

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

Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy