Manager, Consumer Insights & Sensory

JOB RESPONSIBILITES: List major job responsibilities using simple task statements. For example: Supervises the construction of all new restaurants.  Include results, complexity & problem solving in the role. 

Calendar Insights & Product Development Support: (45%)

New product development consultant for Marketing and Food Innovation teams: 

• Drive ongoing innovation process for the KFC brand by developing and independently managing custom quantitative and/or qualitative research to identify new product innovation opportunities and set conceptual priorities for food development team.
• Partner with food innovation team providing consumer guidance for quarterly creative kitchens with food vendors and KFC leadership team.
• Be the subject matter expert on sensory testing. Design new product & core product improvement learning plans comprehensive of consumer preference and difference testing. Partnering with food innovation and calendar teams to ensure testing is executed. 

Promotional insights leader for KFCC: 

• Execute the consumer research agenda to validate KFC's promotional calendar initiatives with minimal supervision.

• Provide consumer insights leadership in cross functional teams through development and execution of consumer learning plans for calendar initiatives to amplify top-line growth based on in-market risk. 

• Independently manage external partners in execution of quantitative research to support the national calendar and promotional testing (Ex: product naming, pricing, positioning, product development, advertising, and in-store testing). 

• Deliver databased assessments for promotions which reconcile business results vs. assumptions and provide recommendations to improve the execution of future windows.

Advertising Insights: (10%)

Advertising insights leader for KFCC:

• Influence and inform consumer insights for promotion briefs.

• Lead all research for advertising to inform creative and strengthen advertising responsiveness.

• Deliver learnings on the drivers of advertising effectiveness to enable stronger creative, creative briefs, and media planning.

Market Intelligence Reporting & Insights: (35%)

QSR Category insights leader for KFCC:

• Collaborate with Marketing cross-functional team to establish clear objectives, goals, and strategies for measuring marketing effectiveness.

• Develop a comprehensive marketing measurement framework that aligns with business objectives and provides a clear understanding of marketing impact across different channels and campaigns.

• Generate regular reports and present findings to marketing teams, marketing leadership & IAT – with ownership of IAT Measurement Meetings
• Communicate insights, findings, and recommendations in a clear and concise manner to drive data-driven decision-making and marketing optimization.
• Monitor marketing spend and ROI across different channels and campaigns, making data-driven recommendations for resource optimization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, analytics, finance, and operations, to ensure alignment and integration of marketing effectiveness initiatives with overall business goals.

Miscellaneous Research Projects: (10%)

• Responsibilities will include additional research as required including but not limited to Multicultural Research, foundational consumer deep dives or ideation sessions 1-2/yr.

Must be willing and able to travel, approximately 20%

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: List positions or external contacts with whom this person interacts regularly.

• Core members of the KFC marketing team and Marketing Leadership Team
• Cross-functional teams & directors (Food Innovation, Finance, Operations, Packaging, etc.)
• National Marketing Subcommittee Franchisees
• Research agencies/vendor partners

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIRED: State formal educational level and experience required for the job.  State additional professional, technical or years of experience required.

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year university in Marketing, Marketing Research, or Social Sciences.
• Experience:
  • 5+ years of relevant work experience with Bachelor’s, 3+ years with Master’s.
  • Experience in a Consumer Insights or Market Intelligence position for a consumer products company ($500M+ in size) preferred.
• Skills:
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills to engage and align cross-functional stakeholders; ability to present effectively to senior leaders.
  • Strong analytical skills to interpret data and form action-able recommendations.
  • Exceptional project management capabilities, including driving great outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
  • Steadfast ability to act as the key person-to-contact in interactions with downstream stakeholders, including franchisees and customers.
• Mindset:
  • Relentless in the pursuit of excellence and maintaining high standards.
  • Resourceful and adaptive in ambiguous situations with a proven ability to operate “in the grey.”
  • Resilient in the face of obstacles and persistent in driving towards results.

Thrive in a collaborative environment.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU: Benefits of this role, including impact on the transformation of an iconic brand, joining a high-performing team, and opportunities to grow and extend influence.

• Play a pivotal role in driving data-informed decisions that directly impact marketing campaigns, menu innovation, and customer experience initiatives.

• Collaborate with and influence senior leadership and franchisees, ensuring that the voice of the customer remains central to KFC’s growth and strategic direction.

• Leverage cutting-edge research and insights tools to uncover opportunities and craft strategies that set industry benchmarks for customer experience.