Consumer & Sensory Scientist Intern

Job Description

Consumer & Sensory Scientist Intern  

Start date: January/February 2027 

Duration: 6 months  

Allowance: 625 euro per month (40hrs, 5 days) & full reimbursement of travel expenses   

Department: R&D, Consumer & Culinary Experience  

Location: Nijmegen  

 

Basic Requirements for all:  

You should have strong communication skills and fluency in English, both written and verbal (Dutch is not a requirement but other languages are a plus)  

• You are enrolled at a university for at least 50% study load for the duration of the internship.  

• Non - EU Students: Need to be enrolled at a Dutch University for the whole duration of the internship. 

NOTE: EU working rights are required (Either you have EU Citizenship, you are studying in the Netherlands or have relevant student work visa)  

  

About the role 

We are looking for a Consumer & Sensory Scientist Intern to support our Consumer & Culinary Experience team within R&D by strengthening our foundational understanding of the mayonnaise category.

Over the years, Kraft Heinz has generated a wealth of consumer, sensory and market knowledge across multiple research projects. Your role will be to review, structure and connect these learnings into a comprehensive and accessible mayonnaise knowledge base, with a specific focus on core mayonnaise and healthier mayonnaise segments.

You will explore topics such as consumer attitudes and beliefs, needs and tensions, category segments, usage behaviours and occasions, product expectations, and the end-to-end user journey. By identifying recurring insights, contradictions and knowledge gaps, you will help transform fragmented research into a clear source of knowledge that can inform future product development, research priorities and innovation opportunities.

 

Assignment and key activities:  

• Review and catalogue existing consumer, sensory, market and product research related to mayonnaise, across different projects, markets and research methodologies.
• Consolidate and synthesize existing knowledge on:
  • consumer attitudes, beliefs, needs and tensions;
  • mayonnaise consumer and usage segments;
  • consumption behaviors;
  • usage occasions, host foods and consumption contexts;
  • expectations and trade-offs related to taste, texture, and ingredients;
  • end-to-end mayonnaise user journey, from purchase and opening through preparation, consumption, storage and disposal.
• Compare the roles and perceptions of core, light and healthier mayonnaise, identifying commonalities, meaningful differences and areas where consumer needs are not fully met.
• Highlight established knowledge, emerging hypotheses, inconsistencies and outstanding knowledge gaps.
• Translate the consolidated learning into a clear, engaging and user-friendly foundational knowledge document for R&D and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Develop recommendations for how the knowledge base should be maintained, updated, and used in future mayonnaise projects.
• Present the key findings, implications and recommended next steps to the Consumer Experience team and relevant cross-functional partners.

 

Specific Team Requirements:  

• Currently pursuing a Master's in Food Science, Sensory Science, Consumer Science, Nutrition or related fields. 

• Basic understanding of sensory evaluation methods and/or consumer research methodologies. 

• Familiarity with tools used for data collection, analysis, or project management (e.g., Excel, XLSTAT, EyeQuestion, or equivalent) is a plus. 

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across culinary, technical, and commercial teams. 

• Curious, rigorous, hands-on, and passionate about food, consumer behaviour, and delivering outstanding eating experiences. 

 

What You’ll Gain 

• Hands-on experience in end-to-end design research within a global consumer goods environment. 

• Exposure to food innovation projects across multiple categories. 

• Mentorship from experienced CX researchers, product developers and chef. 

• Opportunity to present your insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders. 

 

Recruitment process:  

CV review – We screen applications for key eligibility criteria (e.g., EU working rights). 

Online Pymetrics assessment 

Screening interview – An initial interview conducted via Microsoft Teams. 

Hiring Manager interview 

Offer – Successful candidates will receive an offer to join the program. 

 

Please note: The recruitment process can take 4–6 weeks in total, from application to offer. 

What we offer you:  

We take interns seriously. You can expect us to give you 1-on-1 mentorship from one of our experienced colleagues. We will work together on your personal learning goals and are keen to hear all the good ideas you have! We will give you the space and support to make mistakes and grow. Become a part of a close intern community as well as a young and ambitious work environment (including online).  

As a Kraft Heinz intern, you’ll be the owner of your own projects and especially of your own career. At Kraft Heinz, we provide the playing field. You change the game. Are you up for the challenge?    

 

About Us  

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We’re a globally trusted  

producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.  

We spark joy around mealtime with our iconic brands, including Heinz, Kraft, Bull's-Eye, HP, Lea and Perrins, Quero, ABC, Master, Banquete, Orlando, Benedicta, Honig, Pudliszki, Wattie’s among others.  

No matter the brand, we’re united under one vision: To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally. Bringing this vision to life is our team of 39,000+ food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we’re transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion – and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen – there’s only one thing to do: join our table and let’s make life delicious!  

 

Our Culture of Ownership, Meritocracy & Collaboration  

We're not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. We empower our people at every level – from entry-level intern to senior leader – to own their work. We share a responsibility to think like Owners – to be mindful of the collective and sustained success of Kraft Heinz – which we apply to every situation, every day. As part of Kraft Heinz, you're supported to grow and achieve. You’re expected to bring your authentic self to work every day, to lead with humility, and drive outstanding performance at every level – and you’ll be rewarded. You’re given opportunities to leave a mark and build a legacy. But you won’t do it alone.  You’re supported by passionate teammates along the way, and our collective, collaborative spirit fuels our incredible progress.  

Location(s)

Nijmegen

 

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.