Director of Retail Insights & Analytics

Accenture•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

Accenture is hiring a Director of Retail Insights & Analytics to own the insights function for a portfolio of brands and suppliers selling to a retail client. The role brings together syndicated data, point-of-sale data, and digital shelf performance to develop actionable recommendations and compelling retail stories that support category growth, shelf-space wins, trend identification, and sustained business growth. The Director will partner with sales and account management teams, Account Directors, Sales leadership, Retail Media, buyers, and brand partners. The position includes developing client-ready business reviews and category narratives, establishing reporting practices and repeatable workflows, and providing strategic recommendations based on retailer systems, merchant priorities, and category dynamics. The role also serves as an internal resource on syndicated data, research methodology, and analytics questions across the Retail team.

Requirements

Minimum 7 years of experience in retail insights, category management, or analytics.
Strong working knowledge of retail systems, including POL.
Proven ability to build client-ready category narratives and insights presentations that drive action.
Experience partnering directly with retail buyers or supporting buyer relationships through data and category expertise.
Strong communication and storytelling skills, including the ability to explain complex data clearly.
High organization and attention to detail, with the ability to work in fast-moving, detail-heavy environments.
Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively amid ambiguity and build processes where none exist.
U.S. work authorization that does not now or in the future require visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Expert-level proficiency with Circana and/or Nielsen, and familiarity with other syndicated data platforms.
Hands-on experience using AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, or AI features in Circana/NielsenIQ platforms, to accelerate analysis, with the ability to validate outputs and handle retailer and client data responsibly.
Entrepreneurial spirit and a collaborative approach that helps colleagues succeed.

Responsibilities

Own the insights agenda for the client's brand and supplier portfolio, translating syndicated, point-of-sale, and digital shelf data into actionable recommendations.
Partner with sales and account management teams to identify growth opportunities at the item, category, and store levels, including planogram performance, white-space analysis, and innovation pipeline strategy.
Build and deliver client-facing business reviews, category sell-in narratives, and insights presentations that connect data to compelling retail stories for brand partners and buyers.
Lead competitive landscape and comp shop analysis to clarify brand positioning and opportunities.
Develop recurring portfolio performance reporting, including weekly sales trends, seasonal recaps, promotional measurement, and strategic initiative tracking.
Apply knowledge of client systems, merchant priorities, and category dynamics to help brands position themselves as category partners.
Explain what is happening in clients' categories, why it is happening, and what actions they should consider.
Establish best practices, templates, and workflows to make insights work structured, repeatable, and scalable.
Serve as a strategic thought partner to Account Directors and Sales leadership, translating data findings into commercial recommendations and client growth strategies.
Collaborate with Retail Media so retail insights inform the broader omnichannel picture.
Serve as an internal resource on syndicated data, research methodology, and analytics questions across the Retail team.