Manager - Consumer Insights & Research

Inspire Brands, Inc.; Robbins (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Inspire Brands, Inc. is seeking a Manager to lead the Consumer Insights team. This role involves conducting consumer research, synthesizing insights into actionable strategies, and collaborating with various teams. Ideal candidates should have a strong background in market research and a passion for data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience in Market Research or Consumer Insights.
• Experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Consumer Insights team and manage research processes.
• Present research findings to key brand leaders.
• Identify actionable insights from consumer trends.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Data Analysis

Communication

Project Management

Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research

Education

4-Year Degree in Marketing, Business, Statistics, or Social Science

Tools

Qualtrics

SPSS

Job description

We’re hiring for multiple openings across several Inspire Brands teams. Depending on your experience, interests, and fit, you’ll be considered for roles and brands that align best with your background.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Leading the Consumer Insights team, the Manager is responsible for all facets of research and insights development across the brand and acts as the primary strategic business partner and “Voice of the Consumer” for the brand team. This person will lead a team of research professionals who work closely with the Brand Experience, Strategy, Culinary, Category Management, and Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) teams to deliver insights and recommendations that inform the innovation pipeline, advertising creative, consumer targeting, and overall brand strategy. They will be the subject matter expert for the brand team and must be experienced in identifying research methodologies, conducting consumer research, executing product tests, and turning data into actionable recommendations. This role is based in Atlanta with an expected travel of 15-20% for research and other business-related meetings.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interface with key brand leaders (VP/CMO) to develop learning plans, present research findings, and drive organizational priorities.
• Represent the “voice of the consumer” in brand discussions, ensuring the consumer is considered in all decisions.
• Manage product research processes that inform product ideation, development, and execution, including concept screeners, tests, taste tests, and buyer reaction studies.
• Monitor and report on brand health metrics and advertising creative evaluations.
• Be the brand expert on consumer target and segmentation analysis.
• Conduct ad hoc research and analysis to inform menu design and product optimization (e.g., TURF studies, focus groups, menu testing).
• Identify and provide actionable insights from industry sources and consumer trends to impact brand strategy and innovation.
• Lead, coach, and manage the Consumer Insights team to deliver timely research, project deliverables, insights, and custom analysis.
• Share insights across Inspire Brands, making connections between business partners where relevant.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• 4-Year Degree in Marketing, Business, Statistics, Social Science, or a similar field required.

EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION

• 5+ years of experience in Market Research, Consumer Insights, or a related field required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, OR ABILITIES

• Significant experience designing and leading both qualitative and quantitative research studies, with expertise in techniques and methodologies.
• A passion for solving business problems using data-driven methods and information (data discovery, visualization, and mining).
• Experience with survey programming tools such as Qualtrics or Decipher; knowledge of SPSS is a plus.
• Ability to synthesize and translate consumer research into actionable insights to address business challenges.
• Proven collaboration, strategic thinking, and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts in business terms and summarize insights into clear PowerPoint presentations.
• Experience leading a team and influencing senior management.
• Strong analytical, project, and time management skills.
• Ability to travel 15-20% of the time.

Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company with over 33,000 locations including Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC worldwide.

We’re more than just a restaurant company; we’re a team of hundreds of thousands changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. Our purpose is to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.