Job Description

Role Purpose
The purpose of the Senior Consumer Researcher is to provide specialist expertise throughout the comprehensive consumer research value chain - designing surveys, managing respondent selection and recruitment, analysing complex quantitative and qualitative data, utilising state-of-the-art techniques and technologies, managing project administration, translating findings into actionable recommendations, and delivering such to stakeholders. By leveraging research instruments, consumer behaviour analysis, retail trends, and advanced analytics, the consultant enables stakeholders to anticipate customer needs, optimise retail strategies, and achieve sustainable growth.
The Senior Consumer Researcher is responsible for delivering advanced consumer research solutions using both conventional research methodologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) - powered tools. The role requires strong analytical capabilities, technical expertise, and the ability to synthesise outputs into strategic recommendations for stakeholders. The role emphasizes innovation, ethical research practices, and continuous improvement in research methodologies.
Role Description
Research Development and Analytics

• Drive and execute the end-to-end research process using both conventional and state-of-the-art AI-powered techniques, ensuring seamless design, respondent selection and recruitment, implementation, analysis of consumer insights, and the production of research reports.
• Synthesise various data sources, interpreting such, and validating the integrity of insights throughout the report-generation lifecycle.
• Generate comprehensive research reports, utilizing data from various sources, ensuring clarity and actionable insights.
• Apply deep-dive analytics and consumer behaviour insight development techniques to inform research strategies that promote category expansion and brand growth.
• Introduce innovative research concepts and solutions to stakeholders for evaluation.
• Contribute to the development of decision-making and standardized research frameworks and instruments for both quantitative and qualitative research, leveraging consumer research capabilities, theory, and standard practice.
• Collaborate with specialists to produce impactful visualisations and dashboards for storytelling.
• Ensure statistical robustness and significance in all research outputs.
• Review and validate AI-generated research outputs, including surveys, reports, and dashboards, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with business objectives.
• Provide expert input on survey design, question framing, sampling strategies, and data interpretation.
• Analyse data using advanced statistical techniques and prepare insight-driven reports and presentations.

Operational Responsibilities

• Gather and consolidate requirements from clients and stakeholders to define research objectives.
• Evaluate incoming project briefs, configure research parameters, and ensure accurate execution.
• Facilitate client communication and interactions throughout the research process.
• Provide specialist support to commercial teams during the presales stage.
• Manage and maintain a consumer respondent panel.
• Leverage technological automation and conduct manual interventions that are required to maintain data integrity and research accuracy.
• Respond to ad hoc requests for analytics, insights interpretation, and investigations.
• Contribute to internal and external publications on market trends and consumer behaviour.
• Set up, configure, and monitor projects from initiation to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Monitor AI outputs for quality and relevance, resolving system issues and escalating complex errors when necessary.
• Provide quality and timeous management reporting as required.

Business Influence and Collaboration

• Collaborate with technical teams to harness and improve AI technologies and technical capabilities to enhance the stakeholder value proposition.
• Drive research initiatives to identify key issues, establish benchmarks, and define best practices.
• Synthesise and present insights through inspirational storytelling to influence internal and external opinions and decisions.
• Contribute towards and maintain the consumer research solutions roadmap, ensuring alignment with business needs.
• Facilitate integration of research capabilities across functions to support strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with insights consultants, data scientists, analysts, and AI teams to bridge the gap between machine-generated insights and human interpretation.
• Present insights through compelling storytelling to influence decisions and drive business impact.
• Translate complex data findings into clear, actionable insights for business stakeholders.
• Ensure all research outputs adhere to ethical standards, data privacy regulations, and internal quality benchmarks.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in AI, research methodologies, and data monetisation to continuously improve the function's capabilities.
• Proactively identify research gaps that can be translated into research initiatives to improve customer experience and business performance.
• Leverage our research capabilities to uncover opportunities that enhance the Shoprite Group's core retail operations, contributing to strategic growth and competitive advantage.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in market research, statistics, psychology, sociology, or a related field - (essential).
• +5 years of experience in consumer research, preferably in retail or FMCG or similar - (essential).
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality research insights that inform business decisions - (essential).
• A demonstrable, in-depth understanding of AI prompting - (essential).
• Advanced knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and statistical analysis - (essential).
• Proficiency in research software, AI platforms, and data analysis tools - (essential).
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously and facilitating cross-functional teams - (desired).

Key Competencies and Work Ethic

• Excellent Research Skills - Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods with a solid understanding of statistical analysis and its application in market research.
• Excellent Analytical Skills - Proficiency in using research and data analysis tools and software such as Excel, or statistical analysis software to extract, manipulate, and analyse large datasets.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of respondent sample sizes, statistical significance thresholds, confidence levels, and related subjects.
• Ability to derive actionable insights from data to support practical applications.
• Strong Collaboration and Stakeholder Management - Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Buying and Category Management, Marketing, Finance, and Sales. Proven stakeholder management skills, including engagement with retail partners to negotiate favourable terms and agreements.
• Excellent Communication, Writing, and Presentation Skills - Ability to effectively convey complex concepts and insights to both technical and non-technical stakeholders in verbal and written format. Proficient in delivering clear and impactful presentations to support data-driven recommendations.
• Strong Negotiation Skills - Expertise in engaging with retail partners, negotiating terms related to pricing, promotions, and category management initiatives, and securing favourable agreements that benefit the organisation's profitability and competitiveness.
• Proactive and Results - Oriented Mindset - Demonstrated proactive approach to driving category management initiatives with a strong focus on delivering measurable business outcomes. Ability to work independently, take initiative, and effectively manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Highly Organised and Detail-Oriented - Exceptional organisational skills with the capability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously. Proficiency in working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality work.
• Adaptability and Flexibility - Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with an understanding of Agile and SAFe practices. Willingness to adapt to changing circumstances and embrace innovation and continuous improvement.
• Resilience and ability to handle and resolve complexity and ambiguity.
• Strong Business Acumen and Customer Focus - Deep understanding of the retail industry, market trends, and consumer behaviour. Ability to anticipate and respond to customer needs and preferences while aligning strategies with business goals.
• Ethical Conduct and Professionalism - Commitment to maintaining ethical conduct and professionalism in all aspects of the role, ensuring integrity in decision-making and interactions with stakeholders.

Our Group and all its operating companies is committed to creating, embracing, and preserving a diverse workplace that values the unique talents, perspectives, backgrounds, and abilities that enrich our organisation. A place where everyone matters and feels included.
We are committed to Employment Equity when recruiting internally and externally.
Please take note that by responding to this application and providing your personal information, you confirm your express and informed consent for Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd and all its subsidiaries and affiliates companies to process your personal information for the Company to consider your application for this position. All Personal Information which you provide to the Company will be used and/or retained only for the purposes for which it is collected, whereafter it will be permanently destroyed. Your information is only retained if it is required by law or where you have given consent to us to retain such information for an extended period.
If you don't hear from us within 14 days, please consider your application unsuccessful. Any personal information collected as part of your application will be destroyed, securely, in accordance with South African legislation.

Skills Required