Senior Lead Researcher, Supply Redundancy & Transformation

About the role

Chick-fil-A Staff members play a vital role in achieving our strategic goals by developing their skills, fostering inclusive teamwork, and embracing innovation. The Customer & Market Insights (CMI) team is the trusted source and strategic thought partner for consumer, Customer, and competitor insights. This role is for an experienced research professional who is passionate about deeply understanding Customers and driving brand growth. The Senior Lead Researcher will be a confident and agile leader who can effectively lead and consult across opportunities for the Chick-fil-A brand, including the creation of strategic research plans, insights design, analytics, and activation.

This role supports Supply Chain with Customer research to inform supply continuity and supply innovation projects, including vetting new suppliers, existing suppliers, and transformational Supply initiatives that impact restaurant procedures to understand their effect on the Customer experience. The role will partner with the Supply Chain team to create learning plans, execute Customer research, collaborate with Customer listening and Sensory teams, and lead reporting and socialization of insights. This role will also support the Cost Council and any Customer-facing initiatives to understand their impact on the Customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Supply Chain to create learning plans, identify knowledge gaps, and determine appropriate methodologies to address business questions within timing and budget expectations.
• Serve as primary research lead in support of all supply continuity projects to ensure consistent Customer experience across suppliers and the chain.
• Serve as primary research lead in support of all transformational supply chain projects, including new procedures, equipment, and product.
• Act as a strategic partner for the Sensory team to understand how best to integrate insights from trained panelists and Customer research.
• Partner with the Customer Listening team to understand the impact of supply initiatives on Customer experience in addition to primary research.
• Enhance and innovate research methodologies and reporting in support of Supply Chain initiatives.
• Partner with the CMI Food Analytics team to provide a holistic viewpoint of the impact on Customer experience and sales due to Supply Chain and Cost Council initiatives.
• Partner with CMI Food Researchers to support Marketing Food initiatives as capacity allows.

Requirements

• Proven track record of excellence in communication, leadership, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to influence key stakeholders along the project decision track and across multiple areas of the organization.
• Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative work environment.
• Exceptional written and oral communication abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience (7 years preferred).
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hospitality, foodservice, or retail research background.
• Design Thinking process experience and expertise.
• Experience with sensory and/or food science.
• Master’s degree in MMR, MBA, and/or MFS.

Schedule

This role follows Chick-fil-A’s Flexible Futures Model, offering a healthy mix of working in person (currently a minimum of 8-10 days per month) and virtually to foster collaboration and community.