Senior Manager, Head of Consumer & Behavioral Science

Lead the Science Behind Truly Consumer-Centric Product Innovation

We believe great products don’t just work -they connect. As Head of Consumer & Behavioral Science within Arla’s Product Intelligence team, you will shape how we bring human insight into product experience. You’ll lead a team of scientists and researchers that bring together behavioral science, consumer research, and experience design to ensure our products are built around real human needs - sensory, emotional, and contextual.

In this leadership role, you’ll drive the development of advanced research capabilities, build new methodologies, and guide how we integrate consumer behavior into our product innovation journey. You’ll work across categories and functions to ensure our products not only meet expectations but create moments of delight.

Product Intelligence is part of a newly formed function called Consumer Intelligence, you will work closely with other teams and have the opportunity to shape a strong collaboration.

How you will make an impact

As our Head of Consumer & Behavioral Science within Arla’s Product Intelligence team, you will lead and develop a high-performing team of consumer scientists, user experience researchers, and behavioral experts, ensuring strong collaboration, engagement, and performance. You will shape and elevate consumer & behavioral science capabilities at Arla - driving continuous improvement in tools, methodologies, and insight delivery. Further, you will:

• Scope and lead research in innovation projects, translating consumer behavior into actionable insight that drives experience design and product decisions
• Define best practices for exploring early-stage concepts, ensuring pack and product experiences align with consumer expectations and brand identity
• Collaborate with stakeholders across R&D, Brand, Innovation, Product Design, and Consumer Impact Partners to shape research agendas that are strategic and future-facing
• Drive experimentation with new methodologies, including implicit testing, digital behavior tracking, and AI-powered insight generation
• Represent Arla in external research and academic networks, ensuring we’re connected to the latest thinking in consumer science
• Guide the team in turning insight into clear, prioritized design and product requirements
• Manage team resources, project pipelines, and budget, and contribute to strategic planning within the Product Intelligence leadership team

What will make you successful

You’re a leader who balances scientific rigor with real-world impact. You understand how people behave, what drives their choices, and how to translate that into meaningful product innovation. You’re not afraid to push boundaries -and you bring your team with you.

You bring:

• 7-10+ years of experience in consumer research, behavioral science, or cognitive psychology, ideally in FMCG or innovation consulting or research agency
• Strong track record in leading research teams and cross-functional innovation projects
• Expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methods - including implicit techniques, experimental design, applied behavioral research and AI-powered processes.
• Understanding of sensory drivers in consumer decision-making, and experience collaborating with sensory science experts to interpret and apply insights to product design
• Experience translating human behavior into actionable insights for product or packaging development
• Strategic mindset with the ability to see the big picture and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with a flair for translating science into business
• A MSc or PhD in Consumer Science, Cognitive Science, Product Design, Psychology, or a related field
• Fluent English; additional languages a plus

What do we offer?

We’re making a bold shift, because staying the same isn’t an option.

Consumer Intelligence is Arla’s reimagined Insights & Analytics function built to shape the future of dairy by putting real consumer understanding at the heart of everything we do. As the world around us changes fast, we’re stepping up with new capabilities, deeper expertise, and a sharper focus on impact. We’re not just here to answer questions, we’re here to challenge, to inspire, and to make sure the voice of the consumer drives the decisions that matter most in our business.

This is your chance to lead one of the most critical capability areas in our future Consumer Intelligence organization. You’ll help shape how we understand consumers - not just what they say, but what they do, feel, and expect from great products. You’ll join a collaborative, purpose-driven team that’s transforming how Arla brings innovation to life through science, insight, and empathy

Would you like to join us?

If you want to seize this exciting opportunity, please apply as soon as possible. We will screen applications and invite candidates into the process on an ongoing basis. For additional information, please contact Leticia Fernandez Garcia, Product Intelligence Director, email: legar@arlafoods.com.