Purpose of the Role:
CTI function is a critical link between a consumer & product experience; thus, contributes by way of designing product features basis consumer need gaps thus enhancing product success in market.
Qualification & Experience:
- B. E / B.Tech
- PG in Science [Chemistry/ Biochemistry/ Cognitive Psychology / Social Science / Food Technology/ Statistics] OR
- Post graduate Management: MBA or Diploma from reputed Management Institute
- Proven experience in Sensory science areas + Consumer research experience is an added advantage
- 5-8 years work experience in handling sensory panels + consumers interface
- Should have interacted with R&D extensively on products, sensory work/ panels in FMCG Personal care / Hair care industry
- Sensory Panel, Software like Compusense, Eyecatch, Fizz, Red Jade
- Working knowledge of QUANTITATIVE consumer study and be able to read understand quant reports of product testing
Deliverables of the Role:
- CTI is an integral part of the R&D function and is instrumental in bringing the sensory and consumer insight early in the developmental stage of the product. The role requires to manage CTI & advance appraisal activities.
- Role requires leading sensory evaluation as well as consumer research both at a category, country, regional and brand level.
Sensory evaluation
- Lead Sensory work for all categories, India / International. Driving global and regional synergies.
- Comfortable using sensory tools, designing sensory Key research, setting up sensory protocols, ongoing review of the same, conducting sensory training for the team, preparing report that help teams during formulation development.
- Organise workshops to educate & excite stakeholders on CTI sensory science.
- Create and conduct sensory training for PD and CTI team.
- To have rite ability to run evaluation, appraisal capabilities, manage logistics, interact with salon experts, train them regularly, recruit consumers for sensory & consumer.
Consumer Research
- Project planning, brief creation/ brief ownership/ landing debrief/ Consumer evaluation / DG writing / research planning / data analysing / research findings local & regional projects.
- Managing consumer work stream within innovation project teams. Plan, Conduct & communicate for sensory panel, consumer panel, consumer DIs, FGDs related work plan as required in a project on daily basis
- Develop/ have good understanding of consumer habits and attitudes, need gaps, regional desparity and is able to translate the same into technical requirements for product / innovation.
- Lead study design, brainstorming session or any practical activities according to project needs
- Creative in respect to developing new consumer relevant ideas which can help create new claims and engaging demos
Functional role
- Independently managing CTI activity planning for consumer research, conduct & support for qualitative product research, risk management, ensuring compliance with ethics and legal
- Optimise CTI methodology [quali, quant & sensory] using internal, external inputs, and support interpretation & explanation of results into product optimisation. Being able to translate product properties & performance into consumer actionable insights.
- Proficiency in use of data mining, global trends brainstorming, third party briefing as a mean to drive ambitious communications.
- Manage logistics issues simultaneously deal with functional teams, 3rd party, market research agency, R&D teams to have product samples in time to initiate projects as per timelines to ensure budgets are maintained throughout the year.
- Have understanding of business finances, NPDs at working level.
- Ability to assess the concerns that need immediate escalation to line manager
- Co-ordinate, plan & communicate CTI activities for various groups in Technology, CMI & brand
Willingness to travel [India & off shore]
Knowledge, Skills & Competencies
- Curious individual, passionate about uncovering human needs & desires.
- Discover story in all the noise & identify what really matters to the consumers
- Soft skills: Comfortable in doing consumer interactions, strong communication, cross functional coordination, collaborations, people management, empathetic, confident, emotionally mature, ambitious, can-do attitude, motivating.
- Analytical skills: Problem solving, data interpretation, creative, practical, being able to co-relate technical and consumer data response and able to drive actionable insights from the research findings to key stakeholders.
- Knowledge of basic principles in chemistry/ life sciences/ psychology
- Leadership skills - Ability to lead projects, motivate, manage, coach and drive team members, sensitive to business environment around, growth mindset, creative, curious, self-driven, learning agility.
- Sensory competency: Ability to do personal care sensory testing.
- Project management competency: Organised, detailed oriented, can manage co-ordination & planning and collaborator for consumer.
Reporting Relationships
Upwards - Head - Consumer Technical Insight
Downwards - 1 reportee
Other Functional Interfaces
- Product Dev. Team
- CMI / Consumer Insights team on marketing side
- Packaging & Design
- Perfumery team
- Brand teams
- MR, agencies, consumer recruitment agencies out of Marico Limited
- Sensory community
Growth Path & Future
- Opportunity to be a starting point of NPD/ technology.
- Opportunity to develop new designs & methodologies.
- Opportunity to build and lead team.
- Role enrichment by way of additional categories & markets in India & overseas
