Responsibilities

• Shape category and sales strategy for senior leadership using shopper learning — not just present findings but change decisions.
• Own the shopper-behavior input to annual planning and, when they arise, acquisition diligence — sizing target customer bases and quantifying overlap/risk.
• Set the teams research agenda across syndicated (Nielsen/Numerator), retailer partner data (Kroger, etc.), and custom qual/quant.
• Push the teams methods forward — shopper journey mapping, decision hierarchies, and increasingly, AI-assisted synthesis of data at scale (were actively building this into the function).
• Sit directly in retailer conversations alongside Sales Category teams, providing the insight that influence the decisions.
• Co-design assortment, shelving, and promotional strategy with Category Management.
• Feed RDs innovation pipeline with shopper-truth, not just data dumps.
• Own the shopper insights budget and prioritize the portfolio of research against business impact — you decide what doesnt get funded, not just what does.
• Report impact in terms the business tracks: dollars, share, decisions changed.
• Lead, coach, and grow 3 direct reports and a total team of 5 while sitting on the leadership team of a broader Human Intelligence function.

Requirements

• End-to-End CPG/Retail Research Experience:
• 7 years of end-to-end consumer insights or market research experience within consumer packaged goods (CPG), FMCG, or retail.
• Proven track record of delivering research-driven recommendations adopted by VP/SVP-level executives to drive product launches, category strategies, or brand positioning.
• Methodology Syndicated Data Mastery:
• 4 years of hands-on experience designing and executing both qualitative (e.g., focus groups, IDIs, ethnographies) and quantitative (e.g., concept testing, conjoint, segmentation) research studies.
• Demonstrated proficiency in extracting and interpreting data from major retail and shopper panel platforms (e.g., NielsenIQ, Circana/IRI, Numerator).
• Executive Presence Stakeholder Influence:
• Demonstrated experience presenting strategic findings directly to VP/SVP leadership and cross-functional business partners (e.g., Brand Marketing, Sales, RD).
• Documented history of influencing strategic decision-making and resource allocation through data synthesis.
• People Leadership:

Benefits

• industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
• medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits.