Associate Director, Consumer Insights Innovation – Meat, Cheese, Coffee, Snacking

Kraft Heinz•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Consumer Insights Associate Director will be responsible for championing the consumer and owning the innovation agenda for the Meat, Cheese, Coffee, and Snacking business unit, which includes brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles, Lunchables, and Maxwell House. This role involves identifying, developing, and integrating innovation consumer insights to foster a growth mindset and a consumer-obsessed culture, moving with speed and agility. The Associate Director will oversee the US MCCS BU innovation agenda, partner with Global Innovation CIS team leads and NA CIS business unit team leads to drive synergies, and optimize brand and category success. The position requires accountability for custom strategic market research and leveraging various information sources to develop insights that provide a competitive advantage to Kraft Heinz's innovation agenda.

Requirements

Minimum Bachelor's Degree
A minimum ten (10+) years in a strategic insights/consumer research role, preferably at a CPG manufacturer, or 10+ years with a combination of supplier & manufacturer-side insights experience showcasing increasing responsibilities and scope
Prior experience being a people leader with a passion for leading teams
Significant experience in innovation insights, with a strong understanding and ability to lead the path from whitespace identification work through ideation and validation
Thrives in agile ways of working, the iterative innovation process, and a track record of strong collaboration with cross-functional partners like Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, Sensory and more
Proficient in various market research techniques, including both qualitative and quantitative methods
Experience working with both primary and secondary data sources
Working knowledge of syndicated research tools (e.g. Nielsen, Circana, Mintel, etc)
Proven ability to distill insights and drive impact into an organization – bringing the consumer to forefront
High level of tolerance for working in ambiguity, managing change and driving change management
Excels at storytelling in creative and impactful ways - excellent communication, organization and presentation skills (written, oral, and across Microsoft Office Suite)

Nice To Haves

Advanced Degree Highly Preferred
Experience using market research tools for innovation development strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Be a key strategic insights partner to MCCS BU
Lead the Consumer Insights Innovation road map development (whitespace identification, ideation, validation) across MCCS
Drive and lead the consumer innovation strategy and execute the learning agenda for Total Snacking and Future of Meats
Identify breakthrough solutions delivering speed and rigor in all aspects of consumer learning; challenging status quo and strategic oversight in building out strategy and supporting consumer learning plans
Drive to larger/scalable platform ideas vs. one-off innovation launches
Influence and build internal buy-in for the innovation pipeline with rigorous consumer understanding
Shape the long term (3, 5 and 10 year) category story and innovation go to market strategy for the MCCS categories through right-sized consumer learning and influential storytelling
Lead, coach and develop a team of two to deliver on the MCCS BU Innovation Agenda
Work in high levels of ambiguity, creating strategic direction for growth opportunities

Benefits

Performance-based bonus
Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future
Plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs
Wellbeing: events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families
Medical
Prescription Drug
Dental
Vision
Screenings/Assessments
Paid Time Off
Company Holidays
Leave of Absence
Flexible Work Arrangements
Recognition
Training
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing Programs
Family Support Programs
401k
Life
Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Disability