Principal Scientist, R&D – Consumer Experience (CX) Product Insights​

Job Purpose    ​ ​ The   Principal Scientist for CX Product Insights   is the technical authority and methodologist for consumer experience research across an assigned portfolio within Product Insights. You architect fit-for-purpose CX learning strategies across the end-to-end product lifecycle ,   from front-end exploration and ideation through launch readiness ,   ensuring methodological rigor, evidence quality, and decision-ready synthesis that accelerates innovation and renovation. You translate consumer needs into clear product and packaging experience requirements, influence cross-functional teams toward consumer-centric decisions, and balance speed vs. rigor based on decision risk. You elevate functional capability through coaching, playbooks/toolkits, and ways of working, and guide internal teams and suppliers to the right level of rigor for the decision at hand.   You’ll   partner closely with R&D (Product & Process Development, Packaging, Sensory), Marketing/Brand,   Insights ,   Analytics , Culinary, and external suppliers to ensure consumer learning is converted into practical product, packaging, and technical decisions.   ​     Essential   Functions &   Responsibilities     ​ ​ Provide CX technical leadership for the assigned portfolio/platforms, defining key information needs tied to business and technical decisions at each development milestone.   ​ Architect end-to-end CX learning plans (qualitative + quantitative) from upstream exploration to downstream validation, with clear decision framing, success criteria, and evidence standards.   ​ Serve as portfolio CX methodologist/SME—selecting, applying, and advising on   appropriate methods   across learning phases, aligning rigor to risk and timeline.   ​ Translate consumer learning into clear experience requirements that guide product and packaging development, including managing design tradeoffs and aligning on what success looks like.   ​ Lead high-stakes stakeholder readouts,   sy nthesizing   findings ,   tailoring   storyline   and technical depth for executive vs. technical audiences; ensure implications are clear, succinct, and actionable.   ​ 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 training, playbooks/toolkits, best practices, and consultative support, including shaping ways of working that embed CX rigor across the function.   ​ Audit vendor strategy and performance for the portfolio— capability   matching, scoping, quality expectations, data integrity checks, performance management, and deliverable acceptance criteria.   ​ Lead multiple simultaneous workstreams with strong prioritization, operating discipline, documentation, and stakeholder communication in a fast-paced environment .   ​ Provide continuity/backup coverage for the senior team as needed.   ​ Ensure compliance with data integrity, privacy, and internal research governance requirements. ​     Expected Experience   & Required Skills   ​ ​ Bachelor’s   degree minimum (Consumer Behavior/Psychology, Marketing Research, Engineering, Food Science, Human Factors, Industrial Design, or related STEM field).   ​ Minimum of   6+ years (BS), 5 + years (MS) or   4 + years (PhD) in consumer/product research, consumer experience, or applied insights supporting product development and commercialization—CPG or food & beverage strongly preferred—with demonstrated progression as a technical authority across multiple brands/platforms and vendor ecosystems.   ​ Recognized   expertise   across CX research methods (qualitative and