Director - Consumer Sector - Consumer Goods Strategy

master-TMS•Chicago, IL

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

Simon-Kucher's sole focus is on unlocking better growth for our clients, increasing their long-term sales, value, and profit by optimizing every lever of their commercial strategy – customer engagement, product, pricing, innovation, marketing, distribution, and sales. The North American Consumer sector is rapidly growing, serving industry-leading and high-growth clients across Retail, Consumer Goods, and Leisure, Travel, & Tourism. They provide clear, actionable growth strategies using advanced analytical techniques, large-scale primary consumer research, and behavioral science. The company is hiring Director level roles to support its growing Consumer Goods business, seeking experts with experience across the commercial excellence spectrum including market segmentation, channel & customer strategy, go-to-market strategy, revenue growth management, and sales excellence. This individual will join a high-performing unit delivering best-in-class commercial excellence strategies across the consumer goods universe, with an expectation for quick development into a leader for the practice.

Requirements

Outstanding drive, determination, and desire to be part of a growing, top-tier consulting firm.
Strong knowledge of and passion for the Consumer sector, with specific focus on the Consumer Goods industry.
An undergraduate degree is required.
Minimum 8+ years of experience in a professional services environment, ideally in management consulting, serving the Consumer sector, specifically the Consumer Goods industry.
Proven business consulting expertise in disciplines such as growth strategies, go-to-market strategy, segmentation (advanced analytics), product and portfolio design, pricing, marketing, value proposition development, distribution strategy (omni-channel management, digitization, and channel orchestration), sales strategies (sales efficiency, processes, incentives, and motivations), and monetization strategies.
Access to an existing network within the Consumer Goods industry in North America, preferably with senior executives within Consumer Goods organizations.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain deep relationships with senior clients.
Proven ability to deliver complex change/program management projects and play a hands-on role in the creation and management of these opportunities.
Demonstrated record of achievement in selling and managing new and follow-on engagements.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to distill insights/takeaways from large sets of data.
Demonstrated record of solving complex problems, directing teams, and completing challenging project activities within tight project timelines.
Record of accomplishment of managing multiple engagements, including work plans, deliverables, budgets and schedules, and accounts receivable.
Effective presentation and communication abilities to succinctly present findings, takeaways, and key recommendations to a senior audience.
Proven ability to build, grow, and maintain a high-performing consulting team.
Highly inclusive and empathetic approach to leadership and team management that enables tangible return for clients and fosters cooperation across teams.
Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work seamlessly and collaboratively with various internal and external colleagues and stakeholders.
Ability to travel at least 25% of the time.

Nice To Haves

MS, MA, MBA, or other advanced degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Cultivate trusted-partner client relationships, source project opportunities, and develop project proposals leading to revenue generation.
Experience in market segmentation (e.g., demand spacing, occasion strategy, consumer segmentation, etc.), channel & customer strategy, go-to-market strategy, revenue growth management (e.g., consumer pricing, price-pack architecture, promotions excellence, trade investment, and active mix management), and sales excellence (e.g., sales force effectiveness, customer management, incentives, etc.)
Deliver solutions through a depth of content knowledge and client relationship-building skills with expertise in the Consumer Goods practice.
Identify client pain points and develop custom solutions to complex strategy engagements.
Actively participate in proposal development and pre-sales meetings with potential new clients to address their needs, priorities, and challenges, while expanding SK's commercial growth strategy footprint, offerings, and client base.
Demonstrate ability to develop, implement, scale, and manage delivery which balances customer success, project profitability, and employee satisfaction, while proactively responding to and incorporating client feedback.
Own client engagements and projects within Consumer sector, specifically Consumer Goods organizations.
Provide exceptional client service and client-focused communication, even during challenging and unexpected situations.
High-energy, hands-on, creative consulting leader who can work with clients, staff, and Partners in a non-hierarchical model.
Lead and guide a large and incredibly talented team of junior consultants to develop innovative and actionable insights and recommendations using data, analytics, and research that deliver impactful recommendations for clients.
Effectively manage multiple engagements and project teams concurrently, including the development of project team members by providing coaching, training, and feedback.
Proactively steer the continued growth and development of Simon-Kucher's Consumer sector, specializing in Consumer Goods practice by contributing to priorities (e.g., developing new capabilities, supporting thought leadership articles/research relevant for clients), by identifying and pursuing new business opportunities (e.g., lead generation, new content creation, supporting end-to-end proposal development, and participating in client pitches), and proactively pursuing follow-on opportunities with existing clients.
Develop and deliver new thought leadership in collaboration with peers and seniors in the Consumer sector, with focus on Consumer Goods strategy.
Stay abreast of current business and industry trends relevant to our clients' businesses.
Analyze existing processes and tools and recommend opportunities for continued improvement.
Demonstrate an elevated level of empathy and emotional intelligence when managing conflict and/or communicating change.
Play an integral role in the recruitment and integration of new Consumer consultants.
Be a leader in the firm and contribute to Simon-Kucher's culture and success.