Global Head of Sensory and Technical Insights
About the job
- An MSc or PhD in Sensory Science, Chemistry, Flavour Science, Consumer Science or a related scientific discipline.
- Significant experience in sensory science, product research, consumer science, technical insights, research and development, or product development, ideally within spirits, alcoholic beverages, food, flavour, or fast-moving consumer goods.
- Proven experience building and leading global scientific capabilities or centres of excellence.
- A track record of influencing senior leadership and shaping strategic business decisions.
- Experience leading organisational change, capability transformation, or digital initiatives.
- A strong external network within sensory science, flavour science, consumer science, or related disciplines.
- A strong command of sensory methodologies, including descriptive analysis, discrimination testing, preference mapping, quality sensory testing, and product benchmarking.
- Experience working with technical product data, analytical results, consumer insights, and product development processes.
- Experience leading cross-functional projects and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Previous people management or team leadership experience.
- Familiarity with sensory software and data visualisation tools.
- The ability to translate scientific understanding into commercial and brand value.
- The ability to write scientifically, tell stories, and present complex data as clear narratives for technical and non-technical audiences.
- Define and own the global sensory and technical insights strategy across innovation, renovation, and quality.
- Shape portfolio decisions by identifying sensory whitespace opportunities, product superiority drivers, and emerging consumer preferences.
- Monitor emerging scientific developments and translate them into competitive advantage.
- Drive the development of novel sensory methodologies, predictive approaches, and insight-generation techniques.
- Build external scientific networks with universities, research institutes, and industry bodies.
- Establish sensory science as a core capability supporting product innovation, quality improvement, and competitive benchmarking.
- Ensure sensory methodologies are fit for purpose, scientifically robust, and relevant to business decision-making.
- Build a vision for how sensory and technical insights contribute to consumer preference, product superiority, premiumisation, and brand differentiation.
- Contribute to long-term product and technology roadmaps across categories.
- Lead the generation of technical product insights across spirits categories, including whisky, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, liqueurs, aperitifs, and low/no alcohol products.
- Translate sensory and analytical findings into actionable recommendations for research and development, marketing, quality, operations, and brand teams.
- Identify key product drivers, sensory attributes, flavour profiles, and technical levers influencing consumer perception and product performance.
- Connect sensory data with analytical chemistry, processing, maturation, packaging, and consumer research to build a holistic understanding of product experience.
- Provide sensory and technical guidance throughout innovation, from early concept screening to final product validation.
- Ensure product changes are assessed with appropriate sensory and technical risk evaluation.
- Protect brand consistency and consumer trust by ensuring sensory-critical attributes are understood, monitored, and controlled.
- Drive adoption of a digital sensory platform, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence-enabled insight generation, and predictive modelling approaches.
- Ensure data quality, governance, accessibility, and knowledge management across global sensory activities.
- Drive integration of sensory, analytical, consumer, quality, and product data to generate deeper technical understanding.
- Define and oversee the development of sensory data models, product landscapes, and insight platforms.
- Champion digital tools, sensory software, databases, and data visualisation to improve knowledge management and decision-making.
- Translate complex scientific and sensory information into clear narratives for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Build and lead a global sensory and technical insights community of practice across sites, brands, and business units.
- Lead the development, training, calibration, and performance management of sensory panels, including expert, descriptive, discrimination, and quality panels.
- Define standards for sensory panel governance, panel reliability, data quality, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure consistent application of sensory methodologies across sites, markets, and categories.
- Build internal capability through training, coaching, tools, and best-practice sharing.
- Partner with research and development, brand, marketing, consumer insights, and quality teams on new product development and reformulation projects.
- Act as the company’s leading expert in sensory and technical insights, influencing strategic decisions at senior leadership level.
- Represent sensory and technical insights in executive reviews, innovation governance forums, and strategic portfolio discussions.
- Define and govern global sensory standards for product quality and brand consistency.
- Provide sensory expertise for quality investigations, product changes, supplier transitions, process modifications, and market complaints.
- Work closely with blenders and liquid research and development teams.
- Represent the company at industry forums, scientific conferences, and external collaborations.
- Lead, develop, and inspire a team of sensory scientists, technical insight specialists, panel leaders, and product researchers.
- Set priorities, objectives, and performance expectations aligned with business needs.
- Develop and manage the sensory and technical insights budget, prioritising resources, external partnerships, technologies, and capability investments.
- Build a culture of scientific excellence, curiosity, collaboration, impact, and continuous improvement.
- Coach team members to strengthen their technical expertise, influencing skills, and business-partnering capabilities.
- Hands-on experience with spirits, flavour chemistry, maturation, distillation, blending, low/no alcohol, or liquid development.
- Experience writing scientific papers, posters, and presentations.
- Experience with predictive modelling and advanced statistics.
About the company
Pernod Ricard is a major player in the alcohol and spirits industry, owning a global portfolio of brands such as Absolut Vodka, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Chivas Regal, Beefeater Gin, Perrier-Jouët Champagne, and more. The company produces and sells a wide range of beverages—from vodka and whiskey to wine and champagne—and distributes them in over 160 countries. Its products work by combining traditional craftsmanship with scalable production and global marketing to position premium drinks for celebrations and everyday gatherings. Pernod Ricard differentiates itself through its extensive, multi-category brand lineup, strong international distribution, and a commitment to sustainability and responsible drinking, along with a focus on digital marketing and premium experiences. The company’s goal is to create conviviality—bringing people together to enjoy good times responsibly while continuing to grow its brands and uphold sustainable practices.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Paris, France
Founded
1975
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- FY2026 delivered about €500 million efficiencies, halfway to the €1 billion target.
- Ready-to-drink sales grew 26% in Q3 FY2026, showing younger-consumer traction.
- Pernod cut cost targets and now expects the plan finished in FY2028.
What critics are saying
- FY2026 U.S. sales fell 14%, and Reuters says no U.S. growth until FY2029.
- China sales fell 19%, crushing Martell and slowing recovery across premium cognac.
- If U.S., China, and Delhi stay impaired, Pernod loses the growth engine funding premium brands.
What makes Pernod Ricard, créateurs de convivialité unique
- Absolut, Jameson, Martell, and Chivas give Pernod Ricard unmatched global prestige coverage.
- The 2026 Gold and Crystal units sharpen execution across premium and value brands.
- India is now Pernod's second-largest market, diversifying dependence beyond the U.S. and China.
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Benefits
Paid Vacation
Flexible Work Hours
Hybrid Work Options
Remote Work Options
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Employee Discounts
Training Programs
Professional Development Budget
Sabbatical Leave
Paid Sick Leave
Relocation Assistance
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
0%1 year growth
0%2 year growth
0%Pernod Ricard reported a difficult year, with net profit attributable to shareholders falling 26% to €1.203 billion for the year ended June 30. Net sales dropped 14.2% to €9.404 billion on a reported basis, with organic sales declining 3.9%. The French spirits group, which owns Absolut vodka, Jameson, and Martell, faced significant headwinds in key markets. US sales fell 14%, whilst China dropped 19%, hurting premium spirits performance. Martell declined 12%, Havana Club fell 20%, and Jameson dropped 3%. Asia revenue fell 15% to €3.920 billion, the Americas declined 18% to €2.584 billion, and Europe dropped 9% to €2.900 billion. India provided a bright spot, growing 7%. Pernod shares fell around 5% to 6% following the announcement, trading near €64.
Pernod Ricard, the French distiller behind Jameson and Absolut vodka, reported sales of €9.4 billion for the 12 months through June, down 14% from the previous year. The company warned that continued weakness in the US spirits market will keep sales growth at the lower end of its 3%-6% annual target over the next three years. Sharp declines in the US and China dragged overall performance, though India showed strong growth. The company said American consumers face economic pressures and subdued confidence, whilst China's cognac sales have been hit by drinking restrictions on public officials. Pernod is cutting €1 billion in costs by 2028 and expanding ready-to-drink products to attract younger consumers. Shares fell over 7% following the announcement.
A court in New Delhi has rejected Pernod Ricard's appeal to resume selling spirits in the Indian capital, according to Reuters. The judge cited an ongoing competition probe as grounds for denying the licence, declaring Pernod "ineligible" whilst under investigation. India's Competition Commission is examining allegations that Pernod illegally colluded with retailers to boost sales in New Delhi, claims the company "unequivocally denies". The French spirits giant insists its business practices fully adhere to Indian laws and regulations. India represents a significant market for Pernod, accounting for 13% of its €10.96 billion net sales in the 2024/2025 financial year. The company declined to comment on the reported ruling.
Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard have terminated merger discussions, both companies announced on 28 April. The potential deal would have united the Louisville-based maker of Jack Daniel's and Woodford Reserve with France's second-largest spirits producer, which owns Absolut Vodka and Jameson Irish Whiskey. The companies were "unable to reach mutually acceptable terms" since confirming talks on 26 March. Brown-Forman said it will focus on expanding its geographic footprint and operational efficiency instead. The spirits industry has faced multi-year sales declines due to reduced consumer spending and health consciousness. Brown-Forman reported an 8% US sales decline and nearly 60% drop in Canada in March. Separately, Sazerac reportedly made a $15 billion bid for Brown-Forman in mid-April, though neither company has commented publicly.
Moët Hennessy reported a 5% uptick in organic sales for Q1, exceeding analyst expectations, with growth spread equally across Cognac, Champagne and table wine. However, the improvement came with caveats: Q1 is not a significant trading period, timing benefits from Chinese New Year and Easter played a role, and growth was primarily driven by Asia whilst the US remains challenging. Pernod Ricard's Q3 results showed flat organic sales, with double-digit reported declines due to currency fluctuations. The company predicts a 3-4% revenue downturn for the year to June, citing Middle East conflicts affecting global travel retail, which accounts for 5% of group sales. Both companies remain cautious about recovery prospects despite these modest improvements in an otherwise difficult spirits market.