Vice President, Global Consumer Insights

Candidates must be located in the Needham, MA region or open to relocation. This is a hybrid position. 

The Vice President (VP) of Global Consumer Insights and Ninja Test Kitchen will be responsible for leading and driving the strategic vision of consumer insights, innovation, and product development through the Test Kitchen and consumer research. This role will oversee the company’s global efforts to deeply understand consumer needs, behaviors, and trends, leveraging those insights to shape product development, marketing strategies, and overall brand positioning. The VP will also lead the Test Kitchen operations to experiment, prototype, and refine product concepts in real-time, ensuring products meet the highest standards of consumer satisfaction, taste, and market readiness.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Consumer Insights Strategy:
   
   
   
   1. Develop and implement a global consumer insights strategy to drive product innovation, marketing strategies, and customer engagement across all consumer touchpoints.
   
   
   2. Lead a global team of consumer researchers, analysts, and data scientists to collect, analyze, and interpret consumer data and market trends.
   
   
   3. Utilize both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies (e.g., surveys, focus groups, ethnographies, in-home usage tests) to generate actionable insights for various business functions.
   
   
   4. Provide deep insights into consumer preferences, needs, and pain points, ensuring the company remains consumer-centric in all product development initiatives.
   
   
   
   


2. Test Kitchen Leadership:
   
   
   
   1. Oversee the Test Kitchen’s operations as a key hub for product innovation, prototype development, and culinary experimentation.
   
   
   2. Work closely with R&D, Product Development, and Marketing teams to translate consumer insights into testable concepts and product prototypes.
   
   
   3. Manage the testing of new product concepts, formulations, flavors, and packaging, ensuring consumer feedback is effectively integrated into the product development process.
   
   
   4. Develop and refine the Test Kitchen’s capabilities to scale for global innovation and cross-functional collaboration.
   
   
   
   


3. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
   
   
   
   1. Partner closely with the Product Development, R&D, and Marketing teams to ensure that consumer insights and feedback are embedded at every stage of the product lifecycle.
   
   
   2. Collaborate with senior leadership to align insights and innovation efforts with company growth objectives, brand strategies, and emerging market opportunities.
   
   
   3. Work with external partners, including suppliers, agencies, and culinary experts, to further enhance product development efforts and consumer understanding.
   
   
   
   


4. Consumer Testing & Innovation:
   
   
   
   1. Lead the creation of comprehensive consumer testing frameworks to assess product concepts, packaging, and messaging, ensuring products resonate with target audiences before large-scale production.
   
   
   2. Oversee the creation of sensory testing programs and other product validation techniques to ensure optimal product quality, taste, and consumer appeal.
   
   
   3. Leverage insights to drive continuous innovation, testing new product categories, flavors, ingredients, and consumer experiences.
   
   
   
   


5. Global Trends and Competitive Intelligence:
   
   
   
   1. Lead efforts to identify and analyze global consumer trends, industry shifts, and competitive market activity to inform long-term product strategies and innovation pipelines.
   
   
   2. Provide thought leadership and foresight into emerging consumer needs, particularly within the consumer goods or food and beverage sector.
   
   
   3. Conduct competitive analyses to evaluate competitor product offerings, identify white spaces in the market, and uncover growth opportunities.
   
   
   
   


6. Data-Driven Decision Making:
   
   
   
   1. Develop and implement data-driven approaches to consumer insights and testing, leveraging analytics tools, big data, and AI-driven consumer research methodologies.
   
   
   2. Ensure that consumer insights are translated into clear, actionable strategies that drive product development, go-to-market planning, and brand positioning.
   
   
   3. Champion the use of data and consumer feedback to validate business assumptions and guide strategic decisions.
   
   
   
   


7. Leadership and Team Development:
   
   
   
   1. Coach direct reports.
   
   
   2. Foster a culture of innovation, creativity, and consumer-first thinking within the team and throughout the broader organization.
   
   
   3. Set clear goals, performance expectations, and provide ongoing feedback and professional development opportunities.
   
   
   
   


8. Budget and Resource Management:
   
   
   
   1. Oversee the budget for consumer insights and Test Kitchen operations, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to support business priorities and innovation goals.
   
   
   2. Manage relationships with external vendors, agencies, and partners, ensuring alignment with company objectives and budget parameters.
   
   
   
   


9. Innovation and Brand Leadership:
   
   
   
   1. Act as a key influencer in brand strategy and positioning, ensuring that products and experiences resonate with consumers globally while maintaining the brand’s core values.
   
   
   2. Share consumer insights and Test Kitchen developments with senior leadership and external stakeholders, positioning the company as an industry leader in consumer-driven innovation
   
   
   
   

Qualifications:

• Education:
  
  
  
  • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Consumer Behavior, Food Science, or a related field.
  
  
  • A Master's degree (MBA, M.S. in Food Science, etc.) is preferred.
  
  
  
  


• Experience:
  
  
  
  • A minimum of 15 years of experience in consumer insights, innovation, product development, or R&D, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership position.
  
  
  • Extensive experience in managing consumer insights teams, leading innovation processes, and working in a fast-paced, consumer-driven industry (e.g., consumer goods, food and beverage, beauty, or personal care).
  
  
  • Proven experience with Test Kitchen operations, product prototyping, and consumer product testing.
  
  
  • Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods and utilizing consumer data to drive strategic business decisions.
  
  
  
  


• Skills & Competencies:
  
  
  
  • Strong leadership, management, and team-building skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams.
  
  
  • Deep understanding of consumer behavior, market research, and the product development lifecycle.
  
  
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee complex, multi-faceted innovation initiatives.
  
  
  • Proven ability to influence senior leadership with data-driven insights and strategic recommendations.
  
  
  • Thrives in an ‘always on’ environment
  
  
  • Familiar and energized with a culture of a lot of C-suite oversight and direction/challenge
  
  
  • Effectively able to toe the line of knowing the details but owning the higher order work to be done
  
  
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of distilling complex insights into actionable strategies for various stakeholders.
  
  
  
  

Personal Attributes:

• A creative and entrepreneurial mindset, with a passion for consumer-driven innovation.


• Results-oriented, with a focus on delivering tangible, high-impact outcomes.


• Deeply curious and adaptive to evolving market trends and consumer behaviors.


• Highly collaborative, with a talent for building strong partnerships across all levels of the organization.


• A commitment to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and dynamic workplace environment.