Research & Development Manager - Sensory

Costa Coffee; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned coffee brand based in the UK is looking for an R&D Sensory Manager to lead sensory evaluations and enhance product quality. The ideal candidate will have a background in sensory science, excellent analytical skills, and experience in FMCG. Join the team in a hybrid role with inspiring development opportunities and a commitment to inclusivity.

Benefits

Annual discretionary bonus

Private medical cover

50% discount in Costa stores

Smart pension scheme

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of sensory methodologies and food and beverage categories.
• Proven ability to build and refine sensory processes.
• Capacity to translate technical insights into compelling narratives.

Responsibilities

• Lead sensory evaluation using statistical methods for product development.
• Develop Costa’s internal sensory panel and guide evaluations.
• Translate sensory findings into actionable recommendations.

Skills

Expert grounding in sensory science

Strong analytical skills

Exceptional communication

Highly developed sensory acuity

Experience driving impact in FMCG

Education

Bachelor's degree in sensory or food science

Job description

We’re on a mission to reimagine coffee experiences across the globe. From bustling cities to local communities, we’re creating meaningful coffee moments, powered by innovation and driven by purpose.

As a proud part of the Coca-Cola system, we’re in over 50 countries and counting. Whether it’s served in-store, from a machine, at home, or on the go, every cup is thoughtfully crafted by our passionate teams who put heart into every moment.

Our teams truly make a difference. Whether it’s pioneering new tech for the perfect pour, launching award‑winning campaigns, developing exciting new menu items, or supporting our people to grow – together, we stir up success.

Costa is accelerating its journey to become Bigger & Better, and this brand‑new role offers a unique opportunity to be truly pivotal within our R&D function shaping and elevating our sensory capability for long‑term impact. You’ll lead how we conduct sensory tests to validate and optimise products, ensuring every sensory insight fuels exceptional quality and consumer excitement. It’s a rare chance to build a best‑in‑class sensory approach that will define the future of Costa’s food and beverage product portfolio.

We value curiosity, inclusivity, and a problem‑solving mindset. If you thrive in a fast‑paced, global environment and are excited to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.

With inspiring experiences, development programmes, and our apprenticeship scheme, your career can grow far beyond the day‑to‑day.

What you’ll do

Being a R&D Sensory Manager is about so much more than bringing our coffee to the world. It’s your chance to stir up real success – which means you’ll be:

• Lead sensory evaluation across the full innovation pipeline, using robust statistical methods to generate clear, compelling insights that shape Costa’s next three years of F&B development.
• Build and develop Costa’s internal sensory panel, recruiting, training and guiding colleagues to deliver high‑quality, consistent evaluations across food and beverage ranges.
• Partner closely with R&D, Insights and Marketing to ensure sensory goals align seamlessly with product positioning, delivering right‑first‑time launches and supporting the critical path for multiple campaigns.
• Translate sensory findings into powerful, actionable recommendations, influencing go/no‑go decisions, optimising product quality and elevating benchmarks across existing and new lines.
• Embed a best‑in‑class sensory process into Costa’s ways of working, strengthening SOPs, improving quality scores and enabling smarter, more consumer‑centric product development for the long term.

Who you are

It’s your unique ingredients we’re interested in:

• Expert grounding in sensory science, with deep knowledge of sensory methodologies, food and beverage categories, and the full product development process from brief to launch.
• Proven ability to build, refine and embed sensory processes, supported by strong analytical, numerical and data‑interpretation skills.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder‑influencing capability, able to translate technical insights into compelling narratives and guide teams through decision‑making.
• Highly developed sensory acuity, with a strong palate capable of detecting subtle differences in aroma, flavour, texture and overall product attributes.
• Demonstrated experience driving impact in FMCG, including at least a bachelor’s degree in sensory or food science, experience in a sensory role, and a track record of shaping product development through sensory‑led insight.

So, why Costa?

We didn’t become a global coffee brand by sitting back. When you work here, you join a community that values passion, progression, and integrity—with some brilliant perks to sweeten the deal. We work in a hybrid environment, giving us the flexibility to balance life while still spending meaningful time together and building strong connections:

• Own a piece of Costa’s success by becoming a share owner in Coca‑Cola with our Share Investment Plan (SIP)
• An annual discretionary bonus scheme, based on business results and individual contribution.
• A smart pension that saves you money on tax and national insurance, and matches your contributions up to 10%
• The Costa Financial Support Fund, supporting team members who find themselves in unexpected financial pressure
• 50% discount in all Costa‑owned stores, and 25% off in other participating stores
• Private medical cover thanks to our Private Healthcare scheme
• And that’s not all. Explore even more of our perks here: https://bit.ly/costaperks

Location – Hybrid – Loudwater – required to attend our Loudwater office a minimum of 3 times a week.

For any reasonable adjustments and general queries, please get in touch with [e-mail]

We believe in living life with heart – and that starts with our people. By showing up as our authentic selves, we create a culture where everyone belongs. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are committed to building an equitable and inclusive environment—one that embraces the unique blend of experiences, identities, and perspectives each person brings. This rich diversity strengthens our teams and reflects the spirit of our global brand.

Grounded in our core values—Passion for Progress, Win with Warmth, Courage to Challenge, and Trusted Team Players—we strive to make a meaningful impact in everything we do. From empowering communities through the Costa Foundation to supporting local initiatives, we’re committed to changing lives in coffee‑growing regions and right here at home.