Principal Scientist, R&D – Consumer Experience Packaging Research SME
$104,200–$130,200 year
On-siteGlenview, Illinois, United States
Job Summary
Architect end-to-end consumer experience learning plans from upstream exploration to downstream validation, defining key information needs tied to business and technical decisions at each development milestone. Serve as subject matter expert for packaging design research, selecting and advising on appropriate methods across learning phases while translating consumer needs into clear experience requirements that guide product and packaging development. Lead high-stakes stakeholder readouts, synthesizing findings and tailoring technical depth for executive versus technical audiences to ensure implications are actionable. Coach and upskill scientists through training, playbooks, and consultative support, while auditing vendor strategy and performance for the portfolio. Provide continuity coverage for the CX leadership team and ensure compliance with data integrity and research governance requirements. Work virtually up to two days weekly with in-person presence at the Glenview R&D Center, reporting a base salary range of $104,200–$130,200.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree minimum (Consumer Behavior/Psychology, Marketing Research, Engineering, Food Science, Human Factors, Industrial Design, or related STEM field)
- Advanced degree preferred
- 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 experience strongly preferred
- Demonstrated progression as a technical authority across multiple brands/platforms and vendor ecosystems
- Recognized expertise across CX research methods (qualitative and quantitative), including end-to-end study design, instrument development, analysis planning, synthesis, and storytelling
- Ability to select methods based on decision risk and learning objectives
- Proven ability to influence product and packaging innovation/renovation decisions by translating consumer needs into clear experience requirements and decision criteria
- Direct experience in consumer research methodology focused on packaging technical design
- Strong technical oversight: expert scoping, critical review of study quality, and ability to QA vendor work (methods, analysis, and interpretation)
- Clear, succinct communication across audiences, including leadership-level implications, tradeoffs, and uncertainty/limitations
- Demonstrated capability building: coaching, technical training, and establishing best practices/standards in a matrixed organization
- Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management; sound escalation judgment and ability to correct misinterpretations of evidence
- Strong prioritization and independent execution across a complex portfolio with multiple concurrent projects
- Working proficiency with quantitative/statistical interpretation used in CX and product testing
- Comfort using and overseeing common research platforms and analysis tools (survey/testing platforms, analysis packages, dashboards/BI), consistent with internal standards
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
- Work virtually for up to two days each week
- Work in-person at the assigned work location at least three days per workweek
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree preferred
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