Principal Scientist/Manager, R&D – CX Product Insights, Global Innovation
About the role
Provide CX technical leadership for the Global Innovation team, defining key learning needs tied to business and technical decisions at each development milestone. Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for product and packaging design consumer research, bringing deep methodological expertise across qualitative and quantitative approaches. Architect end-to-end CX learning plans from upstream exploration to downstream validation, with clear decision framing, success criteria, and evidence standards aligned to risk and timelines.
Translate complex consumer experience insights into actionable experience requirements that inform product and packaging design, managing tradeoffs and defining what success looks like. Lead high-stakes stakeholder readouts with compelling decision narratives, synthesizing insights and tailoring technical depth to both executive and technical audience.
Serve as technical consultant to the CX team on study designs, analysis plans, and interpretation for high-stakes readouts and gate/milestone decisions Evaluate, pilot, and standardize emerging CX methods and analytics (including vendor capabilities), documenting best practices, limitations, and evidence thresholds before scaling. Coach and upskill scientists and partners through playbooks, training, and consultative support that embed CX rigor, curiosity, and storytelling excellence across functions.
Oversee vendor strategy and performance: capability alignment, quality assurance, data integrity, and delivery expectations. Manage multiple simultaneous workstreams with disciplined prioritization, documentation, and strong stakeholder communication in a fast paced innovation environment. Provide continuity and backup coverage for the CX leadership team as needed.
Ensure compliance with data integrity, privacy, and internal research governance requirements. Bachelor's degree minimum (Consumer Behavior, Psychology, Marketing Research, Engineering, Food Science, Human Factors, Industrial Design, or related STEM field), advanced degree preferred Minimum of 8+ years (BS), 7+ years (MS) or 6+ years (PhD) in consumer/product research, consumer experience, or applied insights supporting innovation, product development and commercialization.
CPG or food & beverage experience strongly preferred, with demonstrated progression in technical expertise, including independent research strategy development, methodological leadership, and influencing cross-functional product and packaging innovation decisions. Recognized expertise across CX research methods (qualitative and quantitative), including end-to-end study design, instrument development, analysis planning, synthesis, and storytelling; ability to select methods based on decision risk and learning objectives.
Proven ability to influence product and packaging innovation/renovation decisions by translating consumer needs into clear experience requirements and decision criteria Direct experience in consumer research methodology focused on packaging technical design Strong technical oversight: expert scoping, critical review of study quality, and ability to QA vendor work (methods, analysis, and interpretation). Clear, succinct communication across audiences, including leadership-level implications, tradeoffs, and uncertainty/limitations.
Demonstrated capability building: coaching, technical training, and establishing best practices/standards in a matrixed organization. Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management; sound escalation judgment and ability to correct misinterpretations of evidence. Strong prioritization and independent execution across a complex portfolio with multiple concurrent projects.
Working proficiency with quantitative/statistical interpretation used in CX and product testing; comfort using and overseeing common research platforms and analysis tools (survey/testing platforms, analysis packages, dashboards/BI), consistent with internal standards. Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.
Minimum requirements
- Bachelor's degree in relevant STEM field; 8+ years (BS), 7+ years (MS), or 6+ years (PhD) in consumer/product research or applied insights.
- Expertise in CX research methods, packaging design consumer research, and technical oversight of study quality and vendor work.
- Strong leadership, communication, cross-functional stakeholder management, and ability to manage multiple projects with up to 20% travel.
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