Consumer & Shopper Insights Manager (EMEA)

VF Corporation is looking for an exceptional Consumer & Shopper Insights Manager – EMEA to join our CSI / Strategy EMEA team based in Stabio, Switzerland.

Let's talk about the role

As CSI Manager EMEA, you will be responsible for managing and delivering the market, consumer and shopper insight agenda for the EMEA VF business – working across brands and markets within the region. You will have a direct impact on the quality of commercial decisions made by the brands and the effectiveness and efficiency of their in-market execution.

We expect that you will deliver results whilst fulfilling the following aspects of the Consumer & Shopper Insights Manager – EMEA role (primary accountabilities):

1. Manage the learning agenda of multiple brands in the VF portfolio in EMEA:

• Partner with the Brand teams to identify learning gaps and opportunities to inform and drive in-market commercialization success (i.e. consumer data / research informing go-to-market across brand marketing, product and retail experience).
• Execute the learning plan effectively to address business questions and inform decision-making timely.
• Work closely with external data and research partners to execute research flawlessly and foster a value-adding working relationships.
• Develop clear, actionable and impactful communications of research results / findings and business implications.
• Manage the CSI budget to maximize resources and investments for the business.

2. Be responsible for developing and building CSI capabilities and best practices:

• Identify and explore new tools, data sources and external partnerships that can help optimize and augment the existing CSI toolbox and roster of vendors.
• Help pilot and recommend new capabilities that can advance and increase impact of CSI in the business.
• Help build use cases and embed new capabilities within EMEA.

3. Contribute to building consumer, shopper and market knowledge across brands in the region:

• Identify and activate opportunities to re-apply learning across brands.
• Collaborate with other data and insight teams within the region (i.e. Market Intelligence, Marketing Analytics, Data Analytics etc.) to cross-fertilize different data / insight sources to enrich learning and perspectives around specific brand / business questions.
• Leverage data and capabilities from external digital and e-com partners to address learning agenda.

4. Collaborate with Global CSI counterparts to advance the function and brand learning agendas:

• Leverage global insights and contribute to activate them with the Brand teams in the region.
• Share relevant EMEA insights with global CSI / Brand teams to inform global brand strategies and workstreams (i.e. market & consumer insights, brand content and product performance drivers, category trends etc.).
• Help assess and recommend the adoption of global CSI tools / capabilities in the region.

Skills for Success

To succeed as CSI Manager – EMEA, you must be able to pre-empt and translate business questions into a coherent data analysis and/or insight brief and implementation. Self drive to make a difference to the business, empathy and strong communication skills will help you embed facts and insights into decision-making and elevate the voice of the consumer in the business. We are looking for someone with the following skills, competencies and experience:

Technical skills / market research and data analysis mastery

• Comprehensive knowledge of consumer research methodologies (Quant and Qual) in the areas of category segmentation, brand building, marketing communication / media, product development and qualification, shopper insights, retail on- and off- line customer experience, consumer journey mapping etc..
• Experience with working with self-serve research platforms / dashboards and AI based research tools (where relevant). BI exposure is a plus.
• Experience with leveraging behavioural and transactional data from first, second and third party data sources i.e. strong data analysis and visualization skills, basic statistical skills to test & learn / develop experiment design and interpretation.
• Ability to generate, story tell and deploy data / insights with impact.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Behavioral and leadership competencies

• Result driven (i.e. can be counted on, pushes self and others to achieve results).
• Planning (i.e. accurately scope projects / tasks, sets realistic objectives and goals, breaks down work into process steps, evaluate outcomes).
• Business acumen (i.e. is aware and understand how strategies and tactics work in the marketplace).
• Process management (i.e. figure out process to get things done effectively and efficiently).
• Creative problem solver (i.e. breaks down a problem to understand it, generate ideas and can come up with fresh yet actionable solutions to solve for a problem / business question).
• Peer relationship (i.e. foster collaboration, quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all).
• Learning agility and self-development (i.e. committed and continuously work towards improving him/her-self).

VF guiding principles

Integrity, courage, curiosity, empathy and perseverance

Experience

• Minimum 7-8 years market research experience gained on the client side – time with a research agency can be a plus.
• Experience with a wide range of market research techniques (both Quant and Qual) applied to consumer facing brands / businesses.
• Experience with fundamental BI and data analytics i.e. demonstrating the ability to sort, clean and analyse data to extract relevant facts and useful insights to inform decisions.
• Relevant industry experience: FMCG, Beauty, Apparel & Footwear and/or Retail brands.

Academic Qualifications

• University / Business School Degree i.e. business administration, social sciences, marketing, market research.

Language proficiency

• Fluency in English (both verbal and written).

VF is a global apparel company connecting people to the lifestyles they cherish through our family of iconic brands. At the heart of our journey lies our purpose: We power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. This is our purpose. It's the reason we come to work every day. Our purpose unites us and leads us to pursue our goals, together. This is our calling. Learn more at

What's in it For You

We're in the business of unleashing human potential, driven by the ideas, energy and commitment of our people. That's why we offer comprehensive benefits that encourage mental, physical and financial well-being for all VF associates. When it comes to benefits, we're the total package.

• A supportive feedback-based culture where respect and integrity guide us in what we do
• An inclusive international environment where people of diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and nationalities love working together
• Be part of an iconic lifestyle brand in a multi brand, multi countries organization
• On site gym offering health and well-being initiatives
• A discount card with 50% on all VF brands
• Break out areas offering complimentary hot drinks

Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity

As a purpose-led, performance driven company, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, VF is committed to support disadvantaged groups whilst providing equal opportunities for both VF associates and applicants alike.

If you like what you have read and want to join our team then we would like to hear from you