Senior Research Analyst, Food Service

We’re part of Informa, a global business with a network of trusted brands in specialist markets across more than 30 countries, and a member of the FTSE 100.

Our purpose is to connect our customers to information and people that help them know more, do more and be more. No other company in the world helps more people share professional knowledge or make business connections.

We run around 800 events each year, create digital platforms based on engaging news and information content, and operate professional development programs for individuals and businesses.

Technomic provides foodservice clients around the globe with the research, insights, and strategic consulting support they need to enhance their business strategies, decisions, and results. Our services range from major research studies and management consulting solutions to online databases and simple fact-finding assignments. Our clients include food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants and retailers, other foodservice organizations, and various institutions aligned with the food industry.

Our Mission: Technomic’s mission is to empower foodservice clients by providing the knowledge and tools they need to make informed, strategic decisions that drive success. Our commitment to excellence and innovation ensures that we remain a trusted partner in the foodservice industry.

As a Senior Research Analyst, you’ll play a key role in delivering impactful insights to major restaurant chains and food & beverage suppliers. Working with senior team members, you’ll help manage both proprietary and syndicated research projects, using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to uncover trends and provide strategic recommendations.

This role is perfect for someone who’s analytical, detail-oriented, and thrives in a fast-paced environment. You’ll need a solid understanding of research methodologies, strong communication skills (both written and verbal), and the ability to juggle multiple projects while working collaboratively across teams. If you enjoy solving complex problems, bringing data to life through compelling storytelling, and adapting quickly to shifting priorities, this could be a great fit.

This is a hybird role requiring 3 days a week in our Chicago office. The role is open to Chicago based candidates.

Position Responsibilities

Technomic Senior Research Analysts help execute research project plans and coordinate activities required to deliver the research on time and with high quality. Responsibilities are a combination of primary and secondary research methodologies. This includes, but is not limited to:

Primary Research:

• Design and Execution:
  • Design and execute quantitative and qualitative research studies.
  • Develop questionnaires for quantitative surveys and discussion guides for focus groups and in-depth interviews (IDIs).
  • Test online surveys prior to launch to confirm accuracy and proper survey logic.
  • Recruit, schedule, and conduct qualitative interviews, including online bulletin board/diary studies, with industry professionals.
  • Research, recommend, and implement innovative behavior research methods.
• Analysis:
  • Lead qualitative analysis, including coding, thematic analysis, and grounded theory.
  • Conduct advanced quantitative analyses such as crosstabulations, multivariate analysis, data table building, MaxDiff, TURF, predictive pricing, and conjoint analysis.
  • Visualize quantitative and qualitative research findings for effective presentation.
• Reporting and Communication:
  • Communicate with project leaders about timelines, status updates, and key deliverables.
  • Provide accurate and insightful project deliverables on time to project leaders and external stakeholders
  • Write custom reports (PowerPoint presentations, white papers, infographics) based on quantitative and qualitative findings.
  • Bring data to life by providing editorial content and identifying key trends, insights, and implications for recommendations.
  • Provide follow-up on client questions and ensure clear communication throughout the project.

Secondary Research:

• Client and Industry Understanding:
  • Understand clients' business, products, and services, and apply that knowledge to projects.
  • Gain in-depth knowledge of the broader foodservice industry, including market trends, competitor activities, and consumer preferences.
  • Develop and maintain a working knowledge of Technomic tools and research methodologies.
• Research and Analysis:
  • Conduct project-specific online research to support primary research and overall project objectives.
  • Analyze results of secondary research to identify relevant insights for clients.

The Senior Research Analyst should have the following characteristics:

• Professional Maturity: Demonstrates professionalism and a desire to excel in the position.
• Effective Time Management: Prioritizes work effectively, manages time to meet deadlines, and adapts to rapidly shifting assignments and deadlines.
• Proactive: Identifies potential problems and suggests solutions to supervisors or project managers. Provides advance notice of challenges that may impact deadlines or schedules.
• Detail-Oriented: Maintains extreme attention to detail and adheres to quality control processes to deliver high-quality, error-free work.
• Initiative: Takes responsibility for completing tasks efficiently and effectively. Demonstrates a desire to learn and grow while working independently with general supervision.
• Can-Do Attitude: Approaches new projects with enthusiasm and sees them as opportunities to increase industry knowledge and develop expertise.
• Intellectual Curiosity: Demonstrates inquisitiveness and uses curiosity to approach business questions, build insights, and solve problems.
• Research Mindset: Has a strong understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies with excellent analytical skills.
• Interpersonal Skills: Works well with others and collaborates productively with team members and clients.
• Effective Communication: Communicates ideas and opinions clearly, across all levels of Technomic. Is comfortable supporting client interactions, including conference calls and webinars.
• Strategic Thinking: Thinks strategically and uses research methodologies to approach data from different angles to meet objectives.
• Passion for the Food Industry: Excited by the ever-changing food industry and eager to grow industry knowledge. Prior culinary, restaurant, or foodservice industry experience is a plus.

Prerequisites

• Experience in market research, consulting, consumer research, or similar industries.
• Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint and Excel.
• Proficiency in Qualtrics CX platform or similar market research tools
• Strong understanding of survey writing techniques and best practices.
• Experience with SPSS, R, Sawtooth, or other statistical/analytical software is a plus.
• Project management experience is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in market research, business, market research, social sciences, or a related field.

The salary range for this role is 60k -62k depending on experience. Must be able to adhere to a hybrid schedule out of the Chicago office. 

We work hard to make sure Life at Informa is rewarding, supportive and enjoyable for everyone. Here’s some of what you can expect when you join us. But don’t just take our word for it – see what our colleagues have to say at LifeAt.Informa.com

Our benefits include:

• Freedom & flexibility: colleagues rate us highly for the flexibility and trust they receive, and we support a range of working patterns
• Great community: a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events, our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active diversity and inclusion networks
• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer, with charity match funding available too
• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning, mentoring platforms and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When it’s time for the next step, we encourage and support internal job moves
• Time out: 15 days PTO rising to 20 after three years and 25 after six years, plus 10 national holidays, a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year
• Competitive benefits, including a 401k match, health, vision and dental insurance, parental leave and an ESPP offering company shares at a minimum 15% discount
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance, mental health first aiders, free access to a wellness app and more
• Recognition for great work, with global awards and kudos programs
• As an international company, the chance to collaborate with teams around the world

We’re not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up, join in and help make things happen. If it sounds like a match and you have most – although not all – of the skills and experience listed, we welcome your application.

At Informa, you'll find inclusive experiences and environments where all perspectives and backgrounds are welcomed. As part of this approach and our diversity and inclusion commitments, we are also formally an Equal Opportunities Employer. This means we base decisions on relevant qualifications and merit and do not discriminate on the basis of key characteristics and statuses, including all of those protected by law. Ask us or see our website for full information.

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