Director, Shopper Consumer Insights
Advantage Sales & Marketing LLC dba Advantage Solu - Chicago, IL
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Director, Shopper Consumer InsightsAt our Company, we grow People, Brands, and Businesses! We are seeking a Director, Shopper-Consumer Insights, a strategic leader responsible for shaping the shopper and consumer insights agenda for a diverse portfolio of CPG clients. This role leads a team of insight professionals, aligning analytics and storytelling with client priorities, revenue goals, and long‑term growth strategies. The Director champions insight‑driven decision‑making, synthesizing complex data into strategic narratives, and ensuring the integration of shopper perspectives into planning, innovation, and go‑to‑market execution.Take this opportunity to join North America’s leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry! Apply today!What we offer:Full-Time Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)401(k) with company matchTraining and Career DevelopmentGenerous Paid Time-OffResponsibilities:Strategic Insights & StorytellingDevelop strategic shopper, channel, and customer-specific stories that translate complex data into clear “So what? Now what?” business recommendations.Build retailer‑aligned narratives that integrate innovation pipelines, shopper behavior, and category dynamics.Create high-quality presentations centered on storytelling, clarity, visualization, and strategic implications.Present insights confidently across a range of settings, including virtual presentations, client meetings, and large in‑person audiences.Analytics & Data LeadershipLeverage POS, panel, shopper loyalty, and secondary industry data to create comprehensive insights solutions.Operate as a working director, comfortable pulling, navigating, and validating data when needed.Guide team members on analytical methodology, data interpretation, and integration of multiple data sources.Support initiatives related to assortment opportunities, customer planning, new item development, and customer-specific insights storytelling.Client Leadership & Business ManagementManage a client portfolio valued at approximately $2M+, providing consultative leadership and identifying opportunities to expand services.Partner with clients and internal stakeholders to understand business objectives, influence strategy, and deliver insights that support growth goals.Participate in client interviews, discovery sessions, and capability presentations as a subject matter expert.Drive consultative selling by identifying needs, scoping opportunities, and positioning new service solutions.Support contract conversations, revenue planning, and business development discussions.Team Leadership & DevelopmentLead a mid-sized team of insight professionals, providing coaching, development, and performance leadership.Promote best‑in‑class analytic standards and consistent value‑creation measurement.Foster a collaborative, insight‑driven team environment focused on excellence and strategic influence.Facilitate cross-client sharing of best practices and thought leadership.Professional Expertise & CollaborationMaintain hands-on responsibility for select clients while supporting broader team deliverables.Continue building professional skills through industry education, networking, and staying current with shopper and consumer insights trendsQualifications:Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.15-20+ years of experience in shopper insights, consumer insights, category management, or CPG‑related analytics.CPG industry experience is required—preferably with manufacturer-side insights, retail-facing analytics, or selling/category management roles.Experience leading teams of seven or more insight/analytics professionals.Demonstrated experience as a working director capable of both leadership and hands‑on analytic work.Advanced PowerPoint skills and proven ability to present confidently to groups of all sizes.Strong consultative skill set with experience managing revenue, client relationships, and service expansion.Approximately 25% travel expected.Job Will Remain Open Until FilledThe Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics, and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.ResponsibilitiesLeverage and organize data for insight driven analytics in support of new item initiatives and assortment opportunities across multiple shopper insight clientsIntegrate point-of-sale, panel, and geodemographic data alongside shopper data to create a comprehensive solutionTrack and guide processes across direct reports, reinforcing the importance of value creation measurement with clients and customersEngage with customers, clients, and internal stakeholders to understand strategies and objectivesMaintain hands-on responsibility for an appropriate number of clients and customersSell analytic program capabilities and services to current and prospective clientsParticipate in new client interviews as a subject matter expertCreate insight driven presentations integrating multiple data sources with actionable and quantifiable tactics and strategiesDevelop presentations focused on storytelling, flow, visualizations, and clear headlinesProvide guidance to direct reports on analytic processes, data integration, and data interpretationCoordinate and facilitate regular best practice sharing meetings with clientsBuild and maintain professional skills through educational opportunities, professional publications, and industry networkingQualificationsEducation Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (MBA degree or equivalent experience preferred)Experience Requirements: 8+ years experience in relevant fieldTravel requirement: 25% travel expectedSupervisor ResponsibilityDirect Reports: Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resourcesIndirect Reports: May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reportsRequired Knowledge and SkillsWell-organized with strong attention to detail and accuracyAbility to work confidently with and present to clients, customers, and internal leadershipAbility to prioritize business requests, manage resources, meet deadlines, and deliver against a budgetAbility to represent the company in a professional mannerCreativity with a passion for visually compelling presentationsStrong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skillsForward-looking, strategic thinking abilityAbility to sell services to clients and customersConsulting and influence skills with retailers, clients, and direct reportsExperience managing and negotiating with syndicated data providersAbility to lead clients through shopper-based strategic category planningAdvanced proficiency in common business productivity toolsDeep experience applying shopper panel and geodemographic data across multiple analytic methodologiesStrong understanding and application of category management principlesAbility to integrate multiple data sources into a comprehensive solutionPassion for self-development and development of othersDemonstrated ability to manage, lead, mentor, and inspireEnvironmental & Physical RequirementsOffice / Sedentary Requirements: Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically, requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may require the ability to lift up to 10lbs.Additional Information Regarding Job DutiesJob duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job positions, or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by law.The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of associates so classified. The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by law.
Created: 2026-03-07