In this episode, I'm speaking with Roberto Salas, a Global Consumer and Sensory Insights Executive based out of Princeton, New Jersey. With over two decades in the FMCG industry, his career has spanned the globe, starting in Mexico and taking him through South Africa, the UK, Latin America, and eventually to his current work at IFF. We had a fantastic conversation about bridging technical sensory science with deep consumer understanding, and how he translates complex human behavior into actionable commercial growth strategies. Please join me in welcoming Roberto Salas. Roberto Salas is a Consumer Intelligence and Growth Strategy executive with over two decades of experience in the food and beverage industry. Operating in the Global Consumer & Sensory space, he specializes in translating complex market, consumer, sensory, and behavioral data into strategies that fuel portfolio growth, innovation, and brand differentiation. Throughout his career, Roberto has managed global and regional projects for major corporations, including Danone, ConAgra, Cargill, Yoplait, and currently IFF. His expertise lies in bridging technical product design with a deep, empathetic understanding of human needs. Over recent years, he has pioneered the use of AI-powered tools to mine unstructured data for actionable intelligence. A passionate advocate for democratizing research, he frequently conducts workshops to coach cross-functional teams, ensuring that genuine consumer value remains at the forefront of the commercialization process. Roberto holds a degree in Food Engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey (TEC) in Mexico and a Master's Degree in Food Science, specializing in Sensory Analysis, from Kansas State University. Social Links & Resources LinkedIn: Roberto Salas Expertise Areas: Growth Strategy & Commercial Impact Global Consumer Insights & Cultural Nuances Sensory Perception Modeling AI-Powered Data Analysis (Unstructured Data)
