Vice President, Global Consumer Insights

About Us 

SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positively impact people’s lives in homes around the world. Powered by two trusted, global brands, Shark and Ninja, the company has a proven track record of bringing disruptive innovation to market, and developing one consumer product after another has allowed SharkNinja to enter multiple product categories, driving significant growth and market share gains. Headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts with more than 3,600+ associates, the company’s products are sold at key retailers, online and offline, and through distributors around the world.  

Candidates must be located in the Needham, MA region or open to relocation. 

The Vice President (VP) of Global Consumer Insights will be responsible for leading and driving the strategic vision of consumer insights, innovation, and product development through 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. 

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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 with senior leadership and external stakeholders, positioning the company as an industry leader in consumer-driven innovation

Qualifications

• • 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. 
  • Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods and utilizing consumer data to drive strategic business decisions.
  • 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.