About the role
fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.
With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.
A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.
To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.
job purpose:
The Director of Sensory & Consumer Science is a visionary and hands‑on leader responsible for shaping the future of product experience across the portfolio. This role sets the long‑term sensory strategy, drives innovation through advanced methodologies, and ensures flawless tactical execution of sensory research and training programs. In addition to leading the Sensory & Consumer Science function, this role works closely with Quality Assurance sensory programs, ensuring robust product screening and staff capability building.
Reporting to the VP of R&D, the Director Sensory partners closely within R&D and with Marketing, Consumer Insights, Quality, and Commercial teams, as well as external academic and industry partners, to translate consumer perception into competitive advantage and deliver superior product experiences.
responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Innovation
- Define and execute a holistic sensory and consumer science strategy that fuels innovation, renovation, and productivity across the enterprise.
- Champion a consumer‑obsessed mindset, ensuring sensory insights shape long‑term product roadmaps, packaging innovation, and modernization initiatives.
- Drive breakthrough innovation by integrating emerging technologies (AI/ML analytics, digital olfaction, automation, rapid sensory tools) into the sensory ecosystem.
Tactical Execution of Sensory Science
- Lead the design, execution, and interpretation of sensory and consumer research, ensuring methodological rigor and business relevance.
- Oversee sensory panel operations, including recruitment, training, calibration, and performance management.
- Responsible for managing all external sensory testing and consulting relationship.
- Ensure the team delivers high‑quality, timely, and actionable insights that influence decisions across product development, quality, and marketing.
- Translate complex sensory data into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Build and embed agile sensory tools that accelerate development cycles and improve decision quality.
Methodology, Standards & Capability Building
- Advance sensory methodologies, data analytics, and product/packaging standards to ensure world‑class capabilities.
- Establish and continuously refine sensory KPIs, quality thresholds, and evaluation frameworks that drive consistency and speed.
- Lead the development of training programs for internal teams, cross‑functional partners, and external collaborators to elevate sensory literacy across the organization.
- Ensure sensory standards and tools are embedded in the organization.
Collaboration & External Engagement
- Build and sustain a global network of universities, research institutes, and industry leaders to bring cutting‑edge science and best practices into the organization.
- Serve as a senior expert in customer engagements and strategic presentations.
- Influence at all levels of the organization with strong communication, storytelling, and cross‑functional leadership skills.
Partnership with Quality Assurance Sensory Programs
- Partner with Quality leadership and ensure QA sensory programs are aligned with R&D sensory standards
- Provide strategic and technical guidance to QA teams responsible for onsite sensory screening and product release evaluations.
- Support the development of recognition and reward programs that reinforce excellence in sensory execution and product stewardship.
Project & Resource Management
- Prioritize and guide key initiatives across innovation, renovation, quality, and productivity pipelines.
02 Aplyr's read
fairlife is a dairy innovator focusing on ultra-filtered milk, attracting professionals interested in nutrition and sustainability within a challenging shift-based environment.
What's promising
- •fairlife emphasizes nutritional innovation, offering products with higher protein and lower sugar than conventional milk.
- •The company is committed to sustainability, aiming to reduce environmental impact through responsible sourcing and production.
- •fairlife's growth creates diverse roles, from technical engineering to safety management, supporting career advancement.
What to watch
- •Many positions require night shifts and rotating weekends, which may impact work-life balance.
- •There have been concerns about labor practices at supplier farms, potentially affecting company reputation.
- •The niche focus on ultra-filtered milk may limit market reach compared to traditional dairy companies.
Why fairlife
- •fairlife uses a proprietary ultra-filtration process to enhance milk's nutritional profile.
- •The company is a joint venture with Coca-Cola, providing strong backing and distribution channels.
- •fairlife's focus on sustainability includes initiatives like water conservation and renewable energy use in production.
Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?
03 About fairlife
fairlife is a dairy company that specializes in producing ultra-filtered milk and other dairy products, focusing on nutrition and sustainability.
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