Associate Manager, Consumer Insights

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Consumer Insights Associate Manager provides executional and analytical support for custom and syndicated research projects for internal restaurant brand clients. The Associate Manager is expected to make proactive contributions by identifying where consumer insights can impact key business initiatives. Additionally, the Associate Manager will identify opportunities and help reduce risk in decision making, to optimize the brand, guest, and food experience.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Executes consumer insights research; sets objectives, develops briefs to plan and manages consumer research studies with guidance from a supervisor; manages ad-hoc research requests to gather data and/or insights

• Organizes, monitors, and controls all aspects of a project including ongoing communications support on project status to ensure alignment

• Summarizes data, prepares study findings and provides actionable, timely, proactive, and meaningful consumer insights to internal brand clients

• Applies an understanding and knowledge of consumer, market, and industry trends to work activities

• Uses syndicated data to examine industry trends and stays current on emerging consumer trends

• Develops and nurtures relationships with internal brand clients and other Restaurant Support Center teams to remain informed of initiatives and disseminate research results

• Manages resources, tasks, contracts, scope, and budgets for projects

• Aids in the management of research vendor partners and building research agency relationships

• Assists others in the management of interviews, focus groups, and sensory testing for consumer insight studies.

• Supports individual and team performance through actions demonstrating strong team orientation.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Market Research Planning: Demonstrates the capability to design and manage research studies

• Consumer Insight Identification and Communication: Demonstrates the capability to translate data into insight

• Consumer Knowledge: Demonstrates knowledge of current industry trends and consumer behaviors and attitudes, attitudes, preferences, and needs

• Project Management: Demonstrates the capability to achieve desired outcomes on time and within budget through the application of project management principles and techniques

Leadership Competencies

• Acts with Character and Integrity: Lives the Darden Values; is truthful and forthright with self and others; aligns words and actions; understands and refuses to cross ethical boundaries even when unpopular; works for the common good, not for personal gain

• Values and Respects Diversity: Makes it a personal priority to embrace and leverage diversity and inclusion; values diverse viewpoints; demonstrates cultural competence

• Communicates Effectively and with Candor: Engages in open, honest, and candid conversations with one another; accurately and concisely conveys key points and main messages across different settings and audiences

• Knows and Champions the Guest/Customer: Seeks to understand the guest and his/her dining experience; considers business decisions from the perspective of the guest/customer; brings the voice of the guest/customer "to the table;" is dedicated to meeting the expectations and needs of guests/customers; maintains a culture of hospitality and service excellence

• Supports Innovation and Change: Generates, supports and remains open to new ideas

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL SKILLS, AND OTHER KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree (business, consumer research, marketing, or related field) required

• 3+ years market research or consumer insights experience; preferably in hospitality, retail, consumer packaged goods or agency.

• Knowledge of statistical concepts commonly used in market research

• Strong attention to detail with ability to notice trends, patterns, and anomalies in data

• Strong analytical skills, including previous experience leveraging and assessing data for key consumer, brand, and competitive insights

• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced team environment

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written); strong customer service orientation

• Solid SPSS, Qualtrics, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Powerpoint skills

• Capable of learning new software systems quickly

• Passion for food and hospitality

• Minimal travel required

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced degree

• Prior research or CI experience in hospitality, retail, and consumer packaged goods or agency

• Demonstrated ability to lead and hold others accountable for performance

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