Manager, Foodservice Channel Intelligence
About The Position
Mars Foodservice, a division of Mars, Incorporated, serves foodservice professionals with trusted products and culinary expertise. The Manager, Foodservice Channel Intelligence owns primary research, syndicated and secondary intelligence, and trend foresight. This individual contributor serves as the voice of foodservice, vending, and unattended retail operators, consumers, shoppers, and the marketplace, generating actionable insights and future-focused intelligence to influence decisions in Mars’ Foodservice (Away From Home) business. The role works closely with cross-functional leadership teams on strategic initiatives and identifies opportunities that inform commercial strategy, innovation, portfolio decisions, sales enablement, and category growth. This is a full-time position based in Chicago, Illinois, with a hybrid work schedule.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a related field.
- At least 5 years of professional experience in mixed-methods market research across shopper, consumer, and/or B2B insights.
- Experience leading qualitative and quantitative primary research projects, including planning focus groups and surveys.
- Expertise leveraging secondary research and syndicated data effectively.
- Strong communication, storytelling, and stakeholder-management skills.
- Ability to analyze data and convert insights into successful business recommendations and actions.
- Confidence serving as a trusted advisor on foodservice operators, consumers, trends, and future growth opportunities for the business unit.
Nice To Haves
- MBA or graduate-level degree.
- At least 5 years of experience in Consumer Insights & Research, with a strong preference for foodservice-channel experience.
- Experience conducting mixed-methods research with both business decision makers and consumers.
- Familiarity with syndicated and industry intelligence sources such as Circana, Technomic, Datassential, or Mintel.
Responsibilities
- Lead qualitative and quantitative primary research with foodservice, vending, and unattended retail decision makers.
- Identify opportunities at the intersection of operator and consumer needs and develop solutions that address both needs and demand.
- Synthesize multiple sources of information and translate insights into actionable business recommendations.
- Partner with Sales, Innovation, Category, and Portfolio teams to support strategic planning, growth initiatives, and sales enablement.
- Develop forward-looking perspectives to help the business anticipate change and inform strategic priorities.
- Generate compelling, insight-led stories that strengthen customer engagement.
Benefits
- Industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
- Medical and dental benefits.
- Participation in a 401k plan.
- Paid time off benefits.
- Learning and development from day one, including access to Mars University.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
