Job Summary

The Consumer Strategy & Insights Specialist is a highly strategic, expert individual contributor reporting directly to the Executive Vice President (EVP). This role is the principal driver of the company’s consumer and category knowledge base. The role owns the end-to-end analytical process—from data mining and complex modeling (including retailer-scorecards, market purchase modeling, and industry trends) to compiling and presenting predictive analytics and strategic business insights directly to the executive team. The Consumer Strategy and Insights Specialist deep expertise in category dynamics and competitive landscape to inform organizational strategy, enhance decisions for Sales, Planning, and Procurement functions, and ensure the business remains strategically consumer-centric.

Duties and responsibilities

Own the advanced aggregation and complex synthesis of diverse, large-scale data sets, including syndicated data, retail POS, shopper loyalty programs, and proprietary industry intelligence, to proactively identify macro trends, category shifts, and competitive activity.
Design, author, and deliver high-impact, value-added strategic presentations to the EVP and senior leadership, translating complex data analysis into timely, decisive insights and actionable recommendations regarding category objectives and strategic partnerships.
Own the creation and validation of predictive market models to forecast consumer demand and product movement. Ensure these models drive consistent, data-backed strategic planning for Procurement and Sales functions, directly informing long-term category investment decisions.
Perform comprehensive internal and external category analysis, incorporating consumer behavior, economic indicators, retail performance, and competitive movements to provide strategic thought leadership that informs category plans and critical business decisions.
Partner with the Sales and Marketing teams to develop and deliver executive-level insights and presentations to key retail customers, positioning the company as the strategic category authority.
Define and execute the company's category reporting structure, ensuring the timely creation and monthly distribution of standardized and customizable category reports that meet the advanced analytical needs of the Sales and Planning functions.
Prioritize and execute urgent, high-value ad hoc analytical requests originating from the EVP, retailers, and internal senior stakeholders, ensuring rapid, accurate, and strategically interpreted findings.
Develop and promote strong business acumen across colleague groups, collaborating on the creation of training materials and strategic action plans to ensure company goals and objectives are consistently met across the network.
Other core expectations as defined by the company.

Requirements and Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Statistics, or a quantitative field. Master's degree preferred
8+ years of progressive, hands-on experience in Consumer Insights, Market Research, or Strategic Analytics, with a proven track record of influencing executive-level strategy as an individual contributor.
Experience in the CPG or Retail industry is required.
Advanced Microsoft (MS) Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) skills required; demonstrated ability to produce presentations, spreadsheets, graphs, and charts for high impact visual stories
Valid Passport and ability to travel outside Canada
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Exceptional analytical skills and the proven ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable business strategies and financial recommendations for executive review.
Must be an influential leader with a collaborative management style and ability to motivate others, fostering an environment of continuous improvement.
Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, demonstrate keen attention to detail and task-related accuracy, as well as consistent follow-through skills.

HEC Group

Open Positions

Consumer Insights Manager