Senior Product Research Consumer Goods
JOB PURPOSE
Works independently and with limited direction leads, coordinates, designs, executes, analyzes, interprets data, and reports consumer research results to studies that include but are not limited to: product, packaging, concept, sensory, claims tests, and analytics. Experience with market research qualitative and quantitative techniques supporting new product development and innovation initiatives for cosmetic and skincare products.
Participates on cross-functional teams to conduct appropriate market research to advance product and business knowledge.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Independently conducts developmental studies requiring a thorough knowledge in consumer test, concept, product, sensory, packaging, and claims testing. Develops, designs, executes, analyzes data and reports on final results with recommended business actions. Conducts projects that may involve innovative and/or hybrid methodologies. Identifies and clarifies research design and objectives.
2. Provides business implications, insights, and interpretation to data as it relates to the project and potential launch. Assists project team with incorporating results into team decisions and implications of results.
3. Partners with Product Formulation, Brand Development, Brand Positioning, Regulatory Affairs, Product Safety, Skin and Clinical Research, and Legal in the design of NPD and Innovation studies applying iterative and other research techniques when needed to understand consumer and sales force unmet needs. Manage external vendors and interacts with consumers and sales force as needed to determine appropriate strategies. Works with the project team to ensure testing is adequately planned for in project schedule.
4. Designs and executes consumer product claims studies by understanding competitive product claims and developing appropriate language to be tested with consumers and/or sales force – including creation of questionnaire, evaluation of usage testimonials, and results analysis and presentation
5. Applies analytics and statistics skills to be used in product research as it relates to new product development (NPD) and innovation decisions.
Education Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Engineering, Food Science/Technology, Social Communication, Psychology with Market Research emphasis. Masters preferred
Experience 5+ years in market research within cosmetic or consumer goods industry research preferred. Must have direct experience in qualitative and quantitative consumer product research methods; in managing and executing research projects, designing methodology, questionnaire, and managing external vendors. Experience in sensory evaluation, market research, consumer use testing and analytics skills are desired.
1. Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects.
2. Must possess excellent interpersonal skills
3. Demonstrates intellectual curiosity; innovative
4. Must demonstrate proficiency in protocol and questionnaire design, conducting product research analysis and report writing and results presentation.
5. Must possess the ability to identify and clarify product and business issues and objectives and have the ability to integrate various research data, interpret, report, and communicate test results to technical and non-technical team members as it relates back to the business.
6. Must also have the ability to correlate current and past studies to develop insights.
7. Must possess a solid understanding of consumer qualitative and quantitative research including: sensory, product, packaging, concept, and claims testing as they relate to Mary Kay, Inc. product areas.
8. Experience in consumer research methods for new products, especially in Front End and Foresight methods are a plus.
9. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), statistical analysis software (SPSS), Advanced Excel, and Qualtrics and/or SIMS. Proficiency in Tableau is a plus.