Technical Consumer Research Manager

The Technical Consumer Manager will be responsible to guide and drive sensory and consumer research activities and projects in alignment with business opportunities and corporate strategies. This position will be responsible for the design and project management of sensory & consumer research as well as synthesizing, translating & connecting sensory, consumer & technical insights to enable business continuity, innovation & growth.

**What You’ll Do for Us**
- Deliver the TCR (Technical Consumer Research ) testing and analysis for all required LATAM initiatives (innovations, Continuity, productivity, regulatory, and troubleshooting).
- Lead sensory & consumer research initiatives spanning the Total Beverage Portfolio including Sparkling, Juice, Dairy, Hydration, Plant-Based, Tea, Coffee, and future categories.
- Analyze data using Data Science and/or statistical principles, evaluate results, form conclusions, and implement process improvements/recommendations.
- Explore and implement new research methodologies, continuously improve operational efficiency, and support innovation and productivity agendas.
- Leverage project management routines to communicate and deliver global/regional/local TCR
- Define sensory & consumer research objectives and strategy to support short-and-long-term innovation initiatives.
- Establish strong connectivity with LATAM OU Knowledge and Insights and marketing and category teams
- Collaborate to create a culture of excellence in TCR LATAM OU

**Work Focus**
- ** LATAM TCR **Leadership**:

- Lead the design and execution of the network way of working for TCR
- Lead benchmarking activities for key formats to understand competitive advantage and opportunities
- Leverage routines to ensure early engagement and inclusion of other LATAM OU functions in Marketing and TISC
- Ensure organizational and business alignment in the design, execution and analysis of TCR testing protocols.
- Continuously bring the external perspective on new consumer science and sensory research techniques leveraging Data Analytics and AI.
- ** Stakeholder Management**:

- Build relationships and networks with key stakeholders across the organization.
- Facilitate the identification of timelines, dashboards, and briefs for each initiative to keep LATAM Leadership current on progress and potential red flags.
- Ensure effective and efficient information flow between TCR and LATAM category owners
- External connection with consumer testing providers to ensure quality of testing and analysis.
- Collaborate cross-functionally and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- ** Technical Leadership**:

- As a key member of the LATAM R&D, develop and implement quarterly and yearly plans and ensure successful achievement of them.
- Play a key role as a leadership member to ensure the Technical Community is providing optimal thought leadership regarding TCR to support more effective developments.
- Partner in the ownership of key technical talent progress and their development
- ** People Leadership**:

- Build, lead and develop a highly engaged LATAM TCR community
- Manage resources effectively, including leading the allocation and prioritization of activities, budget requirements, performance management and assessing development needs.
- Effective team player. Act as an owner - taking ownership and work with passion and integrity.
- Empowered to make decisions and help the entire organization thrive.

**Communication Focus**
- This role communicates internally with the R&D network, Category Marketing OU teams, and Global TCR teams. External communication with suppliers and trade associations.
- Communication and engagement with multiple key stakeholders to gain agreement on the short
- and long-term pipeline testing strategies for LATAM.
- The role requires advanced influence, negotiation skills to ensure clear articulation and alignment with stakeholders at most senior levels internally and externally.

**Qualification & Requirements**
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry or equivalent with a concentration in sensory science, behavioral psychology, data analytics or applied statistics Technical Mastery of TCR methodologies.
- 10+ more years of experience of Consumer testing experience with experience managing teams.
- Experience managing sensory laboratory, Experience leading or developing product innovation for a key category (including interactions with marketing as a key stakeholder).
- Proficient using Sensory & Statistical software, PowerPoint, Excel, Project, Word.
- Strong background statistics and data science applied to sensory and consumer data.
- Solid communication skills including ability to write concise, informative reports and verbally present complex technical information to non-technical audiences.
- Ability to listen and identify project objectives and influence research plan to do correct sensory and/or consumer studies at the right time thereby increasing the success rate.
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