Senior Manager, Consumer and Shopper Insights

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team

Curiosity. It is what drives all of us in insights across EMEA. No matter whether the role is market or subject matter focused, the team strives to challenge all in the business to make smarter consumer and market-based decisions and unlock opportunities that deliver commercial results along with consumer joy. You’ll be joining the EMEA Insights team in our Slough office, however with a flexible hybrid working model. You will report directly to the Senior Director, Global Shopper Insights, based in the USA.

The Opportunity

Mattel’s EMEA Insights team is seeking a Senior Manager, Consumer & Shopper Insights, on a fixed term basis for a period of 9-12 months, who will be an outstanding addition to our knowledge hub, delivering accurate, insightful analysis to drive consumer-based decision making. In this role, you will have a passion for insights by analyzing data, identifying trends and drilling into the nuance of what makes consumers and shoppers across the EMEA region tick. This is for someone passionate about bringing the voice of the consumer to the boardroom and who is comfortable juggling multiple complex projects and information sources at once.

What Your Impact Will Be:

• Help to drive a culture of curiosity while ensuring the consumer is at the heart of all in-market execution decisions. You will leverage this through a deep understanding of Parents/ Gift Givers / Kids needs, insights and behaviors and the ability to translate these into clear category strategies, opportunities, and marketing communication actions.
• Driving consumer connection programs that fuel insights for brand / category growth opportunities and expansions.
• Partner with key stakeholders internally to prioritise knowledge gaps and build focused learning objectives.
• Independently executing qualitative and quantitative research projects, including product development, brand strategy, communication, tracking, shopper and usability research for Mattel brands.
• Independently analyzing data that is gathered (qualitative and quantitative) from both primary research projects and from secondary sources.
• Acting as a liaison between the Insights department and key retail partners through relationship building, proactively anticipating consumer research needs and representing the ‘voice of the consumer’ during brand meetings, in order to boost the depth of relationships beyond transactional.
• Synthesizing syndicated data, panel data, and survey data to create holistic views of consumers and shoppers across and within retailers, channels, categories, and brands
• Identifying strategic opportunities and making well thought out recommendations to influence the business decisions of marketing, sales, and brand teams.
• Through Management of 1 direct report, ensure insights are embedded in the UK and act as the bridge to regional responsibilities.
• Shape specific guidance and storytelling beyond the marketing function, specifically for the needs of Sales channels, Local markets, and Consumer Products universe of toy and non-toy.

What We’re Looking For:

• Research management: skillfully manage all phases of qualitative and quantitative research including defining objectives, managing vendor relationships, determining methodology, fielding surveys, analyzing results, drawing business implications, and presenting findings.
• Data Interpretation: proficiently interpret proprietary and syndicated research data to develop insights and inform strategy. Link multiple, disparate sources to develop key themes, stories, and best practices to be implemented at Mattel and accounts.
• Develop and deliver presentations: Develop insights presentations based on analysis for internal teams and external customers.  Present insights to influence actions.
• Manage relationships: Develop and maintain strong working relationships internally and externally. This includes all levels within Insights, Marketing, and Sales as well as externally with suppliers. Work collaboratively with the teams to interpret and present insights that drive the business forward
• Undergraduate degree with at least 10 years of consumer and shopper insights experience, ideally working in a matrix client-side role.
• A mix of local, regional/global past experience – knowledge of toys is a plus
• You must have the ability to efficiently handle multiple projects in a fast-paced regional environment, adapt to shifting priorities, and be very detail-oriented.
• Previous management of a team
• Project management skills are key to success in this position
• Strong MS Excel, PowerPoint, and Word skills are a must

What It’s Like to Work Here

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower the next generation to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best in class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO and MEGA, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.