Job Summary:
We are seeking a Director of Consumer Research to lead and develop a comprehensive consumer insight and research function that supports both current business objectives and future innovation. This individual will drive strategic decisions that shape our products, consumer experiences, and long-term portfolio growth. They will be responsible for delivering actionable learnings through primary research, managing both in-house and external partners, and shaping compelling narratives that influence stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have 7+ years of experience in consumer research, having led high-performing teams in a consumer-packaged goods (CPG) environment.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute a consumer research strategy that integrates both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, utilizing in-house and third-party research to generate key learnings.
- Identify and manage research vendors, ensuring a robust toolkit to support insights across consumer segmentation, product positioning, innovation, and portfolio expansion.
- Deliver impactful consumer and market insights that guide cross-functional teams in innovation, portfolio growth, and the optimization of current business strategies.
- Lead research initiatives that include product testing (including food and sensory tests), A/B and multivariate testing, and consumer journey mapping to improve both product and brand experiences.
- Synthesize research data into visually and verbally compelling narratives, ensuring key learnings are shared across teams and influence decision-making at all levels of the organization.
- Set research priorities that align with business goals, managing the research roadmap and balancing strategic long-term insights with immediate tactical needs.
- Act as a key partner to product development, marketing, and sales teams, supporting the creation of innovative products and identifying growth opportunities within the existing portfolio.
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of insights professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, growth, and continuous development.
Requirements:
- 7-10 years of relevant experience in consumer research, insights, analytics, or a similar role within the CPG industry.
- Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, marketing, management, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- Expertise in conducting both qualitative and quantitative primary research, including surveys, focus groups, consumer testing, and data analysis.
- Proven ability to manage and scale a research function, working with internal teams and external vendors to deliver actionable insights that drive business growth.
- Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and present research learnings through visually engaging and well-structured narratives.
- Experience working with decision science tools, AI-driven platforms, and leveraging advanced statistical analysis (R/Python preferred).
- Proficient in analyzing syndicated sales data (e.g., Nielsen, Circana) and applying consumer behavior research to support commercial strategies.
- Ability to set research priorities and manage the execution of a research roadmap in line with business goals.
