The Role
As Panel Lead - Heated Tobacco, you will play a key role in how products are evaluated throughout their development lifecycle. You will coordinate sensory descriptive panel evaluation activities, ensuring consistent, scientifically sound insights that directly support innovation, R&D, and business outcomes. Working closely with cross-functional partners, you will translate complex sensory and research data into clear, practical recommendations. This is a hands-on, specialist role with strong visibility and impact across the organisation.
Principle Accountabilities
1. Coordinate and develop descriptive sensory evaluation activities for Heated Tobacco products in line with defined scientific standards
2. Plan, facilitate, and oversee panellists’ sensory testing, training activities and ongoing performance monitoring
3. Select, apply, and adapt appropriate sensory or research methodologies based on project goals and requirements
4. Ensure high-quality data collection, validation, assessment and interpretation of results
5. Deliver clear, structured insights, reports, and data handovers to project teams and stakeholders
6. Act as a trusted partner to cross-functional internal and external stakeholders, providing expert input and guidance
Skills and Experience Required
7. Experience working in sensory science, R&D, product development, or applied research environments involving structured evaluation or testing activities
8. Strong capability in structured assessment, critical thinking, and evidence-based recommendations
9. Ability to validate, interpret, and work with data applying statistical analysis
10. Experience translating technical or scientific findings into clear insights for diverse stakeholder groups
11. Fluency in German for facilitation and discussion, and fluency in English for business communication
12. Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a hands-on, structured environment
What We Offer
In return for playing your part in building our future, you will receive a comprehensive compensation package with salary, bonus scheme and further benefits as well inspiring places to work and collaborate with purpose. Here at Imperial we will give you the opportunity to grow and learn, innovate at pace and be a part of our purpose to forge a path to a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.
Everyone Belongs
About Us
We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all. Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.
As a matter of policy, Imperial Tobacco or its subsidiaries never requests or requires payment as part of any recruitment process.